by Lynda Beedham
 

Why is he always 'in my face'?
 Because he doesn't understand the needs of others for personal space.
Why does he always close cupboard doors?
 Because he's obsessive-compulsive.
Why doesn't he look up at airplanes, birds, hot-air balloons, clouds?
 Because he's in his own world.
Why does he constantly play with the same small toys, turning them over and over in his hands?
 Because he lacks spontaneous or imaginative play.
Why won't he throw a basketball into the hoop?
 Because he doesn't understand the concepts of playing a game.
Why do objects have to be in the same place all the time?
 Because he needs to adhere to routines.
Why does he explore new spaces, on his hands and knees, under desks?
 Because he has unusual reactions to normal stimuli.
Why does he always have his nose in a book instead of watching TV with his brother?
 Because he is obsessed with letters and numbers.
Why can't we teach him how to tell time? There are clocks on every wall.
 Because he is cognitively impaired.
Why won't he just sit and listen to the teacher?
 Because he has a receptive language disorder.

He's 16 years old now.  His behaviours have always been a challenge.  He has endured years of numerous extensive assessments - all the major hospitals, developmental assessment clinics, doctor's offices, schools.

Over the years, teacher, therapists and others around him have asked us what we thought he could see. Our response always was that we weren't sure, but how could he be tested?  He can't speak, he has an unreliable yes/no response, and has a hard time cooperating in a clinical setting.  He had been to an ophthalmologist at age 3.  There were no gross deformities, but that was as far as the testing went.

Now, 13 years later, a new ophthalmologist suggested that he try a Flash Retinoscopy Test.  All our son had to do was sit in the chair while the doctor looked into his eyes with various lights and lenses.  This is how an infant can be tested for vision.  Fortunately, our son is fascinated by flashlights. The specialist confirmed that without corrective lenses our son is legally blind!  He will be fitted with lenses that will hopefully open up the world that has previously been reduced to his arm's length.

This is a beginning of a whole now world for our son, and for all those around him.  While he will always be severely impaired in areas of communication, social interactions, sensory organization and play, we hope that there will be growth and more independence when he can better see our world.  Not an answer to all of his problems, but certainly an explanation of some of his most challenging and intriguing behaviours.
 
 

Lynda Beedham implores parents to seek out answers, to  find empathetic professionals, to follow their instincts and to revisit long term questions. Unusual behaviours are often only symptoms of multi-sensory deficits.