Sep 10 2009
Autism. What is its cause? How does it affect brain anatomy, electrophysiology, visual function and perception? What must we do to meet the needs of these patients? How can optometrists as health care providers be in the vanguard for screening for this spectrum of disorders?
The latest issue of Optometry & Vision Development (Vol 40 #3) tries to answer these important questions. Authors Maino, Viola and Donati investigate the many possible etiologies of Autism starting from the psycho-social belief that emotionally uninvolved parents were the cause (never true) to vaccines and the mercury they contain (doubtful) to the role genetics and environment play (most likely). Drs. Press and Richman then show us how to use preferential non-looking (gaze avoidance) vision assessment as a screening tool for young patients suspected of having Autism.
Dr. Rachel Coulter, a well known and respected expert on the many issues surrounding children with an Autism Spectrum Disorder, discusses how we can serve the special needs of those with ASD and follows up with a second article that gives us insights into the visual symptomology often noted for those with Autism. And finally Dr. Nancy Torgerson then takes us on a personal journey that she and her patients with Autism have made while participating in an optometric vision therapy program.
Neuroimaging study reveals structural brain differences in children with autism