Autism Therapy: optometry

definition of optometry: not yet defined.

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Background and History of Autism in Relation to Vision Care
Optometry, by Trachtman, JN, published in 2008, summarized Aug 6, 2008

Children with autism may be more likely to have eye problems and an eye doctor can be an important part of the autism treatment team.

This article reviews the role of eye doctors in the treatment of children with autism. The author notes that while the cause of autism is not known, it seems likely that autism is the result of a problem with the brain. The more severe the autism, the more likely the child will have eye problems. These problems include synesthesia (such as seeing a sound), poor response to light, and cross eyes. The author suggests that eye doctors should work together to create a standard therapy program that can help the eyes work better using visual training techniques.


An Optometric Approach to Patients with Sensory Integration Dysfunction
Optometry, by Allison, CA, Gabriel H., Schlange D., and Fredrickson S., published in 2007, summarized Feb 4, 2008

Optometrists can work with occupational therapists, speech therapists, and pediatricians to help children overcome sensory integration disorder.

Between 80% and 90% of children with autism have sensory integration disorder. Children with autism also often have trouble understanding what they are seeing (visual perception integration). A type of glasses known as yoked prisms may help children with autism understand what they are seeing and move better. This study looked at two children with sensory integration disorder to see if optometry could help them. Special glasses were able to help the older child, but not the younger child.


Novel Treatments for Autistic Spectrum Disorders
Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities Research Reviews, by Levy, SE, and Hyman SL, published in 2005, summarized Oct 21, 2006

This article gives an overview of research on alternative and complementary therapies for autism.

Many parents of children with autism are interested in complementary and alternative medical therapies (CAM). The authors of this article suggest that this could be because these methods are perceived as treating the cause, rather than the symptoms, of the disorder. The authors divide CAM approaches to autism into two groups: biologic and non-biologic treatments. Biologic treatments use nutritional supplements or dietary restrictions to change the physical processes underlying autism, while non-biologic treatments are intended to change behaviors without altering the diet. The article describes the scientific evidence for and against the use of many biologic treatments, including: food restrictions based on allergies; gluten- and casein-free diets; yeast-free diets; vitamin C; folate; vitamin B6; tryptophan, oxytocin; and essential fatty acids (EFAs). The non-biologic treatments described in the article are: auditory integration training; behavioral optometry; craniosacral manipulation; and facilitated communication.


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Vision Therapy as Physical Therapy for the Eyes

Jul 6, 2009

Some Wisconsin parents have begun vision therapy for their children with autism. While a new therapy with not much scientific literature behind it, parents say it is like physical therapy for their child's eyes and helps the children in school. Two new clinics recently opened that focus on developmental optometry, the Vision Therapy Center and New Horizons Vision Therapy. Developmental optometry defines the difference between "'sight' - the ability to see clearly - and 'vision' - the ability of both eyes to work together, sending information to the brain so it can be organized and given meaning." Dr. Kyle Van Dyke, a family practitioner, found that vision therapy helped his son with autism to have better depth perception and even helped with his speech. Dr. Valerie Frazer of New Horizons says "The research is just catching up to us," she said. "They used to think you couldn't change the brain, that it is what it is. Now we're learning that that isn't true."

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Does Vision Therapy Work?

Mar 18, 2010 by Anonymous

Unfortunately the article written in the NY Times was frequently quite biased. We have the research to show that optometric vision therapy works (http://www.covd.org/Home/ResearchWhitePapers/tabid/188/Default.aspx) for many vision and learning related vision problems. We do not know very much about the vision system and autism. We are just starting to figure out if optometric vision therapy is a form of treatment that can help the child on the Autism Spectrum....you can say the same for many therapies now being developed in this area.

Dominick M. Maino, OD, MEd, FAAO, FCOVD-A; Professor of Pediatrics/Binocular Vision Illinois Eye Institute/Illinois College of Optometry

Questions? Contact me at dmaino@ico.edu


What are alternative autism therapies?

Oct 4, 2006 by Anonymous

Many parents are interested in alternative therapies for autism because they are seen as less invasive or more natural than traditional therapies. Alternative therapies can include both biologic and non-biologic treatments. Biologic treatments include herbs, foods, drugs, or supplements, including vitamin C. These treatments are usually meant to make the immune system, gut, and/or brain function better. Non-biologic alternative therapies include auditory integration training, behavioral optometry, craniosacral manipulation, and facilitated communication. Therapies are typically considered alternative if they are outside of evidence-based mainstream medical practice. Some parents choose alternative therapies not as an alternative to traditional medicine, but rather to complement traditional medicine.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has acknowledged that many parents of children with autism explore alternative therapies, and suggests that pediatricians learn more about the safety and effectiveness of the therapies selected (AAP Committe on Children with Disabilities, 2001). Read the report .


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