Understanding the Visual Symptoms of Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

Optometry & Vision Development ABSTRACT Background: Sensory integration problems are frequently found in individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). In particular, vision is often affected with visual symptoms being pervasive and severe. These visual symptoms are due to an individual’s unique sensory-processing abilities and are biologically based in origin. Review: Ninety-six publications, including research studies, case reports, literature reviews and first-hand accounts were reviewed. Visual symptoms in individuals with ASD are linked to underlying differences in the central nervous system including the visual system. The concept of Individual-Differences from the Developmental, Individual-Difference, Relationship-based (DIR) model is discussed with regard to vision. Visual differences for individuals with ASD include photosensitivity, hyperand hyposensitivity, color perception processing, and differences in processing central and peripheral stimuli. Face processing, gaze shifts, visual integration with other senses, and visual closure are affected as well. It has also been noted that motion processing, visual-spatial and visual-motor processing and spatial awareness including visual neglect are also anomalous. Some visual symptoms such as gaze aversion, lateral vision Article