Seeing Through New Eyes: Changing the Lives of Children with Autism, Asperger Syndrome and other Developmental Disabilities through Vision Therapy

by Melvin Kaplan

Seeing Through New Eyes offers an accessible introduction to the treatment of visual dysfunction, a significant but neglected problem associated with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) and other developmental disabilities. Dr. Kaplan identifies common ASD symptoms such as hand-flapping, poor eye contact and tantrums as typical responses to the confusion caused by vision disorder. He also explains the effects of difficulties that people with autism experience with ambient vision, including a lack of spatial awareness and trouble with coordination. Other chapters give guidance on how to identify the visual deficits of nonverbal children, select prism lenses that will alter the visual field, and create individually tailored programs of therapy in order to retrain the system. This book is essential reading for parents of children with ASDs, and professionals in the fields of autism, optometry and ophthalmology, psychology and education.

208 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2005

Reviews

[Tee Minn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing. I am fascinated with the power of vision therapy, although I don't know anyone first hand who has used this therapy. The case studies are remarkable. I don't understand why it appears to lack full medical support, even finding a developmental optometrist can be challenging. It makes sense that our brain has more power to heal, and we will accommodate deficits if we don't know other ways. Dr. Kaplan is a pioneer.

The ambient (peripheral) visual field is a lower resolution system that operates largely on a non-conscious level and allows us to identify what is happening in our environment. Isn't that key? A must read for those who are touched by those with autism, asperger's and other developmental disabilities, as well as more obvious vision issues.

Here is a link to an interview with the author.
http://www.autisticvision.com/intervi...

[Patrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the very first astonishing page, my world will never be the same. Every page or two I had to put the book down and grab my head; his discoveries and insights about human vision and vision difficulties adn their impacts on the internal world of those aflicted (many of us, I learned) are just world-changing.

[Kelly D · Rating 5 out of 5]

Our child's OT specialist for ADHD suggested that we fly from California to Boston to see Dr. Kaplan. I thought she was crazy, so I read Dr. Kaplan's book. He is astonishing. If you have a child with ADHD, learning issues or autism, you MUST read this book. I can't understand why all eye professionals aren't testing for these issues and addressing them in his style.

[Chanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very insightful book about visual processing deficits and the potential for significant improvement in all developmental domains. I want to send half my caseload and my brother to New York to see him!

[Tammy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Brenda Heinke Montecalvo said, "Strabismus is not an eyeball problem; it is a brain dysfunction for which strabismus is a symptom." Strabismus is a motor-sensory misalignment caused by the infant's unconscious choice for survival - "an eyeball symptom of a more complicated brain dysfunction."

[Timothy Meaney · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most important books I've ever read. This book, and working with Dr. Kaplan, have changed my son's life... quite literally.

[Alison Goodrich · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book gave me lots to think about and some ideas to try with clients. It made me with I had access to prism glasses and that a good FCOVD wasn't over an hour drive from where my clients live.

[Tina Krogdahl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book, well-written. A facinating book.