For many neurodivergent individuals, an appointment with the optometrist isn’t just about reading letters on a wall, it can quite often become a marathon of bright lights, unexpected experiences, and tests that can trigger sensory overload.
So this critical piece of your child’s health care is delayed or skipped altogether.
Research shows that neurodivergent people are at increased risk of short or long sightedness or astigmatism, strabismus (eye turns) and eye movement problems. If the short or long sightedness is not identified and managed with glasses, this can cause a significant barrier to learning.
Neuro-Affirming Care Model
We believe eye care shouldn't be a source of trauma for anyone. With that in mind, we have designed a neuro-affirming model of care.
We have created a safe, inclusive environment that meets the needs of the patient, rather than expecting our patients to fit in with our environment.
Our waiting area does not have lots of people waiting for appointments, this is done deliberately so children don’t feel overwhelmed by people and noise while waiting. We also have sensory toys available in a dedicated children’s waiting area away from the main space to help calm their nerves.
Sensory Friendly Testing
Traditional "dark room, bright lights" setup that you often encounter in other optometry outlets can be incredibly uncomfortable for those with ASD or ADHD.
We’ve reimagined the exam flow to prioritise sensory safety:
- Light in our Environment - We can adjust our clinic lighting to reduce glare and accommodate an individual’s light sensitivity.
- The "No-Touch" Priority - We use OCT (Optical Coherence Tomography) and Digital Topography technology that captures high-definition images of the eye's structure without the need for physical contact that can feel invasive.
- We have a paediatric specific machine that can test neurodivergent children’s eyes from afar within 5 seconds, avoiding many of the traditional testing that can be a trigger.
- Predictability is Key - We explain every piece of technology and tools before they move.
Visual Processing vs 20/20 Vision
A common frustration for neurodivergent families is being told their child has "perfect 20/20 vision," yet they still struggle to read or navigate a classroom.
Clear sight is only one piece of the puzzle. ASD can affect your child’s visual skills as well as other sensory-processing abilities.
We look deeper into:
- Visual Noise - For many with ADHD, the brain struggles to filter out background visual information, making it hard to focus on a single line of text.
- Tracking and Binocularity - Neurodivergent brains may process movement differently, leading to "skipping lines" or words that seem to "dance" on the page.
- Light Sensitivity (Photophobia) - Intense sensitivity to fluorescent office lights isn't just a preference—it’s a neurological response. We explore specialised tints and coatings on glasses to help to dial down the world's volume.
Communication: Partnering with Parents
We know that the eye test starts long before you walk through our front door.
To help reduce "waiting room anxiety," we recommend pre-teaching the experience:
When you book your appointment, let us know about your child's specific triggers. Whether it’s a need for a longer appointment time or a preference for "heavy work" breaks, we are able to accommodate whatever you need to make the experience as easy as possible for all involved.
We’re Here to Help
Your child’s vision care should feel like a partnership, not a battle.
We aim to make that experience one that respects your child’s sensory needs and celebrates the way they see the world.
