Assessment and management of visual Perceptual skills of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Abstract

newlineVisual deficits are prevalent in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder ASD often going unnoticed and untreated due to misattributions of these issues as symptoms of autism itself Vision therapy recognized as an effective treatment program holds promise for improving visual processing skills and enhancing environmental understanding in children with ASD This study aimed to assess visual functions develop a structured vision therapy protocol and evaluate its efficacy in children with ASD In Phase I the feasibility and validity of visual perceptual tools were established among typically developing children concurrently examining the ocular and perceptual functions of children with ASD Phase II involved the development and testing of a vision therapy protocol on two children with ASD representing distinct communication profiles A parent rated structured questionnaire was devised to gain a holistic understanding of the impact of vision therapy on various facets of life among children with ASD A prospective study was conducted involving two groups one comprising 20 children with ASD receiving vision therapy and another consisting of 20 ASD children on a waitlist to receive intervention after the active treatment period This design allowed for a comparative analysis of the outcomes between the two groups Results indicated that visual perceptual skill training significantly supported the functional development of the visual system alleviating challenges faced by children with ASD The study lays a foundation for future research on visual perception in ASD emphasizing the potential of vision therapy as an early and targeted intervention for children with ASD experiencing visual deficits