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SN children

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Original poster

Why do people do eye movement tests on 5 yr olds?

10 replies

sweetnsour · 08/12/2009 12:22

My neice, who?s 5, is struggling at school and getting help with two of the three Rs and her social skills.

A therapist is working with her, and her SENCO has put her up for eye movement tracking tests. Does anyone know what they are testing for? Her mum is vague about it.

OP posts:

iwearflairs · 08/12/2009 12:31

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at the poster's request.

Original poster

sweetnsour · 08/12/2009 12:41

Thanks so much. Is it connected to autism testing? I'm not sure....

OP posts:

chopstheduck · 08/12/2009 13:09

visual perception testing I would guess.

It's not necessary autism related. ds had a test for visual perception, by the OT but it was to check out any other possible causes of probs with his handwriting.

Original poster

sweetnsour · 08/12/2009 13:14

Thanks so much.

Neice also point-blank refusing to do anything to cooperate at home and school/follow rules/stop clouting other children.

Has just been booted out of craft classes on Saturday after a mystery incident, ending in both teachers telling her mum they couldn't guarantee her safety.

While I raise my eyebrows at the thought of her damaging herself with a pom-pom, would this point to autism-related problems, dyou think?

OP posts:

chopstheduck · 08/12/2009 13:33

It may well be worth asking for a referral to a developmental paediatrician. It does sound like she is really struggling, and their could possibly be issues of some kind.

What kind of therapist is working with her? Has she been seen by an Ed Psych?

Original poster

sweetnsour · 08/12/2009 13:41

I don't know, sorry. She is getting social skills lessons at school and one-to-one SEN on maths and reading.

In fact, not knowing is kind of the problem - I don't know much about how the SEN system works and neither do the parents.

But I want to have my little DN to stay after Xmas for 3 weeks and I need to know if I have to use any special techniques for her!

OP posts:

allaboutme · 08/12/2009 13:56

Sorry to hijack the thread but I am interested in this also!!

Can eye movement problems be related to autism??

DS has mild ASD and recentl had his eyes tested for the first time (4yo). His sight is fine, but he failed the eye movement tests and is to go back in 3 months for more testing.
I didnt even consider that it may be related to his ASD is any way and didnt mention his ASD to the optician as didnt feel it was relevant.
Perhaps I should have though? Any thoughts?

improvingslowly · 08/12/2009 15:04

google 'crossing the midline' and 'retained reflexes'

improvingslowly · 08/12/2009 15:57

sorry sent that before i had finished typing.

i am not an expert but think it means that the eyes are not working together in the usual way. ie if try to follow something moving in front of your eyes like a finger, the 2 eyes might not be able to follow it without one eye wandering off. (this also means i think that harder to follow things on whiteboard etc at school since your eyes are not working together. ie easy to lose your place on whiteboard.)

you can get exercises to improve tracking.

WorkInProgress · 08/12/2009 16:11

I understood it was to do with Dyspraxia - the theory is that the eye muscle is uncoordinated in the same way as the other muscles are. If a child can't track an object with their eyes they are going to struggle with reading, writing and other skills involving co-ordination. I think she is lucky to be offered this on the NHS and the exercises do help if there is a problem.

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