There are many variations in behavior across the autistic spectrum.  One thing that is very common across the spectrum is the presence of visual issues. It is almost a certainty that a child on the autistic spectrum has visual development issues. In children who are is on the spectrum, there is usually a delay in visual development. The importance of the relationship between vision development and the autistic spectrum is poorly understood by most pediatricians, family doctors, pediatric ophthalmologists and child psychologists. Visual development and general development are intimately linked. A behavioral optometrist is trained in assessing the visual skill of a child on the spectrum. When a child has not mastered visual skill, it can impact attention, balance, and coordination, gross and fine motor control, and language skill. We have the experience and patience needed to assess the vision of the child on the autistic spectrum. The inability to make eye contact, hyperactivity, distractibility, and other behaviors common to autistic children are often improved through appropriate lenses or vision therapy. This can lead to improved coordination, learning ability and language skills. A child who learns to engage and use vision more effectively will have improved attention, improved coordination, and better communication skills.