Sensory issues are common in children with autism, and can greatly affect their behavior, emotions, and learning. You want what is best for your child with ASD, but sight sensory issues can get in the way of your child achieving his/her specific goals and objectives.
Sensory processing disorders that are commonly present in childrens with ASD can cause over or under-responsiveness to visual stimuli, leading to various challenges in daily life.
ABA therapy can help children with visual sensory issues by systematically desensitizing them to specific visual stimuli and gradually increasing their exposure to those stimuli in a controlled environment. ABA therapists can work with parents and caregivers to create sensory-friendly environments that are less visually overwhelming for the child.
But before we explore ABA therapy solutions to address sensory issues in kids with autism let’s chat further about the specific visual sensory issues and how they can impact a child’s everyday life.
Children with autism can experience either over-responsiveness (hypersensitivity) or under-responsiveness (hyposensitivity) to visual stimuli, or both, depending on their individual sensory profile.
- Hypersensitivity
Hypersensitivity to visual stimuli means that the child may find certain visual input overwhelming, intense, or uncomfortable, leading to avoidance or withdrawal behaviors.
- Hyposensitivity
Hyposensitivity sensory issues in kids with ASD can express itself as having difficulty noticing, attending to, or processing visual information, leading to attention deficits, disinterest, or distractibility.
Visual sensory issues in autism can impact various areas of a child’s life, including:
- Learning & Academics
- Socialization & Communication
- Safety & Self-Care
Over-responsiveness to sight and under-responsiveness to visual stimuli can present challenges that require support from parents, caregivers, and ABA therapy professionals.
But the good news is that there are ways to help improve sensory issues in kids with ASD, such as reducing visual distractions, using visual schedules and providing sensory-friendly spaces!
ABA therapy can also be an effective way to address sensory processing disorder to manage sight sensory issues and learn new skills. With the right support, your child with visual sensory issues can thrive and reach their full potential!
At Step Forward ABA we are here to support your child with sensory processing disorders to manage their reactions to visual sensory issues. Addressing sensory issues in kids in Florida, New Mexico, and North Carolina, we are here to help improve the quality of life for children with sensory processing disorders. Contact us today to learn more about how our ABA therapists are here to address sensory issues in kids with ASD!
