5 Signs That Autism Is Impacting Your Child's Vision

Visual processing refers to how the brain interprets visual stimuli in the environment. Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) may not express their difficulties verbally. This can make it easy to overlook visual processing problems that may influence a child’s interaction with their environment and their overall behavior.

However, recognizing these difficulties early and developing a personalized treatment strategy can positively impact their social and emotional development.

Our team at DeyeNAMICS specializes in neuro-optometric rehabilitation. This branch of vision care uses evidence-based therapies like customized lenses and eye exercises to help counter visual processing issues related to neurological and developmental disorders like ASD.  

Here are five signs that could indicate autism may be impacting your child's visual processing and how neuro-optometric rehabilitation can help.

1. Difficulty Maintaining Eye Contact

Children with autism often avoid direct eye contact. This behavior can stem from an underlying visual processing issue resulting in an inability to organize their space visually rather than social discomfort.

It is also possible that their eyes may not work together efficiently, making it difficult to focus on faces or track movement smoothly. This can make it overwhelming and difficult to process facial expressions or other social behaviors.

2. Frequent Head Tilting or Unusual Postures

If your child frequently tilts their head, squints, or turns their face when looking at objects, they may be compensating for double vision or an eye misalignment issue. You  may also notice that they close one of their eyes or bring screens close to their face when using them.

These behaviors suggest difficulty with binocular vision, which can impact their ability to read, write, and engage in daily activities.

3. Overstimulation from Visual Input

Many children with ASD experience sensory overload, particularly with bright lights, fast-moving objects, or crowded environments. This kind of visual information can be difficult to filter out when visual processing is disrupted, often resulting in perceived hypersensitivity which can result in certain behaviors. These may include avoidance of crowded environments, struggles with transitions, or even emotional reactions to seemingly minor visual stimuli.

4. Poor Hand-Eye Coordination

Difficulties with tasks like catching a ball, stacking blocks, or using utensils could indicate problems with depth perception or visual-motor integration. Children with ASD often struggle with these skills which can affect their ability to play, write, and perform everyday tasks.

5. Repetitive Visual Behaviors

Some children with autism engage in visual stimming, such as staring at spinning objects, flicking their fingers in front of their eyes, or watching lights repeatedly. These behaviors may be their way of self-regulating due to an inability to process visual input properly.

How Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation Can Help

Through customized exercises and specialized lenses, neuro-optometric therapy can:

• Improve eye coordination and tracking abilities
• Reduce visual overstimulation and sensory overload
• Enhance depth perception and spatial awareness
• Strengthen visual-motor integration for better hand-eye coordination
• Alleviate symptoms of eye strain and discomfort
• Support performance in school

Our neuro-optometry team evaluates how the brain processes visual information rather than just checking for 20/20 vision. We’re dedicated to enhancing a child's ability to learn, communicate, and navigate their world more comfortably.

Early intervention can help your child thrive by unlocking their full potential and improving their daily interactions with the world around them. If you suspect vision issues affect your child’s daily life, consider scheduling an evaluation with a  DeyeNAMICS provider today.