ASD Non-verbal and Eye Test

[LaLaLolly]

DD is 6 and just started P1 (we're in Scotland and she was deferred).

She has ASD and verbal dyspraxia so very limited expressive language.

DS4 just had an eye test and needed glasses for slight astigmatism which made me worry about DD's vision. I'd hate for her to struggle even more at school as a result of poor vision.

But how would we test her effectively as most tests require a fair degree of understanding/cooperation?

Any advice hugely appreciated.

Very young / pre-verbal children can be given eye drops and they look in their eyes and can tell whether they are short or long sighted from that. My DD was regularly tested from about 9 months old, and obviously she couldn't do a regular eye test then, so this is what they did.

When she was a bit older they did sort of a regular eye test, but with symbols (house, circle etc) and she had to point to the correct symbol on the cards in front of her.

This was in a clinic run by the local children's hospital. I think you'd need to go to your GP or school nurse for a referral. In England they usually test hearing and eyesight in reception. Do they do that in Scotland?

My is 5 autistic and non verbal she has her eyes tested every 6 months since she was 3. We have to go to the children eye clinic at the doctors rather than a normal optician so you will need to get referred I think. They are really so good with her. The test was the same as soupmode described.
They are very used to dealing with children with SN so try not to worry.

We can get a referral for ophthalmology at the local hospital as part of the preschool screening, so I'll give them a call and explain the situation.

Thank you so much for the reassurance!

Boots opticians can do the eye drops if you don't want to wait for a hospital referral.

Thanks, Mum - I did exactly that!

Your welcome, hope all went well.

Surprisingly she didn't object to the eye drops (found it hysterical!) And was fairly amenable to being examined.

No red flags, no concerns. Huge relief!

Sometimes it's easier than all the horrible scenarios you build in your head!

Glad it went well and that it wasn't upsetting. My dd hates having it done but I genuinely think that the environment in boots is much more relaxed than at hospital which helps.

I agree. Also, a lot less likely to have long waiting periods!

Thank you so much for the support.