As the parent of a child with autism, finding the right medical specialists can often be a challenge. Optometrists are no exception, with many clinics completely unsuitable for neurodivergent patients. If you're struggling to find somewhere your child can take an eye exam, here are three things to look out for.
Non-Verbal Assessment Materials
If your child has non-verbal autism, the first thing you'll need to look for in an optometry clinic is suitable assessment materials that don't require speech. Typically, optometrists diagnose eye problems by asking children to read from a letter chart. For young people who struggle to use their voices to communicate, this form of assessment can be difficult or even impossible. Even children who usually have little trouble speaking can struggle to identify letters if they're nervous at the clinic or experience sensory overload from all the unusual sounds and bright lights. Thankfully, there are eye exam materials out there that work for non-verbal children. One method, for example, involves asking the child or teen to match letters or pictures on a chart with those on a set of cards.
Longer Appointment Slots
Whether your child needs non-verbal assessment materials or not, eye exams for autistic children often take longer than appointments for neurotypical children. Often, it takes time for a child with autism to adjust to both the environment and the optometrist. As a result, it's best to find an optometrist who can set aside a double (or even triple) appointment slot for your child. If your little one has more time to settle in, they'll be more relaxed and more likely to participate in the assessment as best they can—which is essential in getting an accurate diagnosis. If you can, remember to also ask for the first appointment slot of the day. This will reduce the time you need to spend waiting in the office, preventing your child from becoming nervous and agitated.
Willingness to Accommodate
In most cases, the best way to get a quick and accurate vision diagnosis for a child with autism is to make special accommodations. Sensory processing difficulties are some of the most common effects of autism. As such, the overload of new sounds, sights and even smells in an optometrist's office can quickly cause distress. The ideal optometrist is one who's willing to accommodate your child's unique needs in any way they can—for example, turning off unneeded equipment to reduce noise or removing a lab jacket that may carry smells or bring up distressing memories.
