Special Needs

Children with special needs often face unique challenges, including those related to vision. Many developmental, sensory, or neurological conditions—such as Down syndrome, autism, ADHD, or early brain injuries—are associated with a higher frequency of visual deficits. Addressing these issues can significantly improve their ability to interact with the world and support their overall development.

Vision plays a critical role in interpreting the world and guiding movement and interaction. Approximately 80% of sensory information processed by the brain comes through the visual system, and deficits in this system can lead to difficulties in reading, learning, coordination, and behavior. Children with special needs are more likely to experience vision problems such as:

• Nearsightedness (myopia)

• Farsightedness (hyperopia)

• Strabismus (eye misalignment)

• Amblyopia (lazy eye)

• Eye-tracking and focusing difficulties

• Visual processing and depth perception deficits

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These issues can exacerbate challenges, such as poor coordination, difficulty reading, or avoiding visual tasks, and may be misinterpreted as part of the child’s primary diagnosis.

During a developmental vision evaluation, we meet the child at their level to assess how their visual system functions in guiding movement and interpreting their environment. Regardless of age or verbal ability, we evaluate critical functional skills such as visual acuity, eye tracking, eye teaming, focusing, depth perception, peripheral vision, and overall eye health.

This comprehensive assessment allows us to understand how the child’s visual strengths and deficits impact their daily life. From there, we create a tailored plan to nurture their abilities and address areas of need.

• Eyeglasses: Designed to meet the unique facial features of children with special needs, custom-fit frames and lenses improve clarity and comfort, reducing visual strain.

• Vision Therapy: A personalized program of exercises and activities to enhance skills like eye-tracking, teaming, focusing, and hand-eye coordination. Therapy re-trains the brain and eyes to work together, improving behaviors such as anxiety, social interaction, and verbal communication.

• Lenses and Prisms: Tools like prism lenses or occluders may be used to support visual development and relieve stress on the

Addressing vision problems enables children with special needs to better understand their surroundings and engage with their environment. Improved vision can enhance learning, make everyday tasks easier, and reduce frustration for both the child and their family.

If your child displays behaviors or symptoms that may indicate a vision issue, schedule a comprehensive eye exam. Early detection and intervention can empower your child to reach their full potential and make daily life more manageable and fulfilling for your family.