Children on the autistic spectrum have specialized vision needs that often affect their reading. These problems can be easily corrected. According to Dr. Temple Grandin, developmental optometrists are specially trained to do a comprehensive vision exam and treat vision problems with a series of exercises known as vision therapy.
Here is a list of resources I have compiled to help you research and make more informed choices about your child's vision needs which may affect his or her reading:
1. http://www.howtolearn.com/ireadisucceed.html
If your child is reading, have him or her take the Eye-Q Reading Inventory and bring this information to your developmental optometrist. If your child is not reading, be sure your child's visual skills are properly developed and rule out any problems by taking your child to a developmental optometrist for a full exam.
The I Read I Succeed Home Vision Therapy Kit can supplement any vision therapy training done in your doctor's office.
See resource number 2 for a list of how to find a list of developmental optometrists.
2. http://www.covd.org
This is the non-profit organization which has a full list of doctors throughout the world who you can take your child to for the proper eye and vision exam. Visit their site for more information.
3. Seeing Through New Eyes
Just released in 2006! Remarkable new book on how vision therapy helps children on the autistic spectrum.
4. http://www.autism.net
This is the Geneva Centre for Autism and contains research, articles and treatments options for children with autism.
5. http://www.visionhelp.com/autism
More information on vision and autism.
6. http://www.visionhelp.com/autism/grandin.htm
You'll find Dr.Temple Grandin's statement on how vision therapy can help your child at this site.
7. Omega 3's - reduce inflammation; helps improve brain function
8. http://www.howtolearn.com/filters.html
New research from several journals shows that using colored filter overlays over print, may be very helpful for children with reading problems. In many cases, children can gain 1.1 year in reading, and reading comprehension in just a few minutes if the color they prefer clears up the print for them.
