Vision Therapy

Vision therapy may be effective in helping patients on the autism spectrum who have disorders such as poor depth perception, poor eye-hand coordination, lack of awareness of one’s physical place within an area, and poor eye contact.

An optometrist can check for near/farsightedness and focusing problems, which may require the use of a specific prescriptive lens.  Behavioral Optometrists, also sometimes called  Developmental Optometrists, have special training and will test for eye tracking, aim, teaming, depth perception or visual perceptual skills.  The lack of these skills can interfere with reading and other school activities.  The Developmental Optometrist will assess and then supervise eye exercises to correct problems with vision. Some practitioners may recommend lenses with prisms (sometimes called Kaplan lenses), while others may recommend filtered or tinted lenses (sometimes called Irlen lenses).  The doctor will carry out treatment in the office but will expect it to be practiced at home.

This is not an evidence-based practice and is often not covered by insurance.

Local Resources

Dr. Beth Ballinger, FCOVD / Dr. Stephen Cohn, FCOVD
901 Dover Drive, Ste. 100, Newport Beach
(949) 642-0292
http://www.optometrists.org/California/

Dr. Janet Kohtz
6700 Indiana Ave., Ste 155, Riverside
(951) 689-9180
http://www.kohtzandspurling.com/
Developmental optometrist providing eye examinations and vision therapy. Infants to adults.

Dr. Lysle Shaw-McMinn
Sun City Vision Clinic
27830 Bradley Rd. Sun City, CA 92586
(951) 672-4971
www.suncityvision.com
Optometrist experienced serving children with autism, developmental disorders, and non-verbal children.
The office in Sun City has technology to monitor and diagnose non-verbal children’s ability to see. We have technology unlike any other clinics in our area. We have VEP technology, or Visual Evoked Potential technology, which allows us to monitor communication between the eyes and the brain on non-verbal patients to enhance the diagnosis and treatment of these patients. Also we have a major amblyoscope, a device used to treat strabismus, which is associated with developmental disorders.

Dr. Vanessa Kashak
Woodcrest Vision Clinic
17675 Van Buren Blvd Ste C. Riverside CA 92504
(951) 780-0270
https://suncityvision.com/vanessa
Loving and patient staff. We take whatever time and actions necessary to make sure we give our disabled patients the highest standards of care. Both offices have Vision Therapy programs for over 30 years now, and we are very passionate about our therapy programs.

Friedman Optometry
Rancho Cucamonga (909) 987-3330
San Bernardino (909) 881-2020
http://friedmanoptometry.com
Experienced staff with special needs.

Hospitality Eye Care Center – Dr Tamano-Fletcher
164 W Hospitality Lane, San Bernardino
(909) 383-5000
http://www.seetolive.com/company.html
Developmental optometrist who will provide eye examinations and vision therapy.

Irlen Institute International
5380 E. Village Road, Long Beach
1-562-496-2550 or 1-800-55-IRLEN
www.irlen.com
The Irlen Method has been used for over 25 years to identify and help people with a type of processing problem called Irlen Syndrome, formerly known as Scotopic  Sensitivity  Syndrome (SSS). Irlen  Syndrome is not an optical problem. It is a problem with the brain’s ability to process visual information. Irlen spectral filters, which are added to lenses worn on glasses alleviate sensory overload.

Simpson and Duran Optometry – Dr. Anne Simpson, Michele A. Duran, O.D.
1131 W 6th St, Suite 150, Ontario
(909) 986-0918
https://eyedoctor.io/optician/simpson-duran-optometry-inc-ontario-ca/
Provides evaluation and treatment of  pediatric  visual problems  requiring glasses and/or visual therapy.  Specializes in helping children with visual related learning problems.

Dr. Doug Stephey, O.D., M.S.
208 West Badillo Street, Covina
(626) 332-4510
https://stepheyoptometry.com/
Dr. Stephey’s interventions include but are not limited to: primitive reflex therapy, beat competency / interactive metronome, the Safe and Sound program for vagus nerve regulation, syntonic light therapy, magnocellular vision therapy, working memory / executive function therapy, glasses with prism (base in, yoked, and postural / active) and color which may be covered by an IEP / 504 plan under the category of assistive technology, music listening therapy with and without bone conducting headphones for visual vestibular integration, and of course binocular therapy. Dr. Stephey is also certified to teach structured literacy and to make recommendations on nutritional and mineral regulation. The Move Look & Listen Podcast Episodes from Dr. Doug Stephey can provide further information on specific topics.

Temecula Valley Optometry – Dr. Alan Winkelstein
30520 Rancho California Road, Suite A106, Temecula
(951) 676-9465
www.drwink.com
Provides optometry, eye test services, and vision therapy.

Vision Enhancement Center
Dr. Duong Nguyen
Dr. Jay Chao
(951) 686-3937
5051 Canyon Crest Drive, Suite 102, Riverside
http://www.visionenhancementcenter.com/
Provides a number of optometry services including vision therapy for all ages; treatment for Learning-related Vision Problems, Visual Tracking Problems, and the visual components of ADD/ADHD, Dyslexia, and Reading dysfunctions; Treatment for Binocular Vision Conditions, such as Amblyopia or Lazy Eye, Convergence Insufficiency (near vision disorder), Diplopia (double vision), Lack of Stereopsis (two-eyed depth perception), and Strabismus (cross-eyed, wandering eye, eye turns, etc.) and visual Rehabilitation for Special Populations, including Patients with Traumatic Brain Injuries, Stroke, Whiplash, Developmental Delays etc.

Yorba Linda Optometry & Beyond
Lynn Marran, OD, FCOVD-A, PhD, Fellow
17451 Bastanchury Rd Suite 104 C-1, Yorba Linda
Ph: (714) 961-2020
Along with comprehensive eye exams, Dr Marran can evaluate eye focusing, eye tracking, eye teaming, visual processing, and eye motor skills. Dr. Marran conducts a thorough analysis of skills in these areas in a 2 day evaluation to determine the best course of therapy, and provide vision therapy.

Autism Society Options Policy

This Resource Guide was developed to provide families and professionals with an opportunity to find resources related to autism in the Inland Empire in one place.

All information provided or published by the Autism Society Inland Empire is for information purposes only. Specific treatment, therapy or services should be provided to an individual only at the direction of the individual’s doctor, caregiver, or other qualified professional. References to any treatment or therapy option, program, service, or treatment provider are not an endorsement by the Autism Society. References of treatments, therapies, programs, services, and/or providers are not intended to be comprehensive statements. You should investigate alternatives that may be more appropriate for a specific individual. The Autism Society assumes no responsibility for the use made of any information published or provided. The Autism Society Inland Empire provides information, but it does not constitute medical or legal information. Referrals provided are suggestions to organizations that might help, but do not constitute a recommendation. The Autism Society Inland Empire cannot be held responsible for consequences that arise from individual dealings with a professional or organization. The inclusion of any organization does not imply endorsement, and omission does not imply disapproval. The Autism Society Inland Empire may add or remove organizations from this list at its discretion.