Visual

The Visual Sensory System (the sense of Sight)

The visual system is how we receive and process sensory information through our eyes. Our eyes and brain work together to communicate and interpret what we see in our physical surroundings. Our brain identifies the object and gives it meaning. Our visual system allows us to create a memory of the image and gives the context within our environment.

Vision is closely integrated with all our other senses, e.g. we see freshly baked cakes and we become hungry as our sense of smell and our taste buds are stimulated. If we see a spider, our tactile system goes to work, and we feel a sense of fear. Our vision helps us to process, understand and take action in our environments. A healthy visual system enables us to focus on the most important details in the environment and filter out those that are not important. For example, when playing hide and seek, a child will filter out most of what they see and will focus on the piece of furniture they have chosen to hide behind. The visual system is not simply about our ability to see; it also includes our ability to track, locate and discriminate between the things around us.

What is Vision?

Vision refers to the way we see the world and it works together with visual perception to help us interpret and understand what we see. It is estimated that 80-85% of our perception and learning are facilitated through our visual sense. Vision is important for a lot of different skills including interacting with others, spotting danger or opportunities to play, eating, sleeping, finding things we need, reading, writing and playing sports. In fact we use our vision for almost everything we do!

Difficulties with visual

Without a regulated visual system, we cannot focus on the important details that help us understand the world around us. We are constantly surrounded by a range of objects and resources but, with a regulated visual system, we can focus on the details we need to and ignore those we don’t. Some children are unable to filter out the unwanted visual stimuli. The wealth of objects they see may be a constant distraction and can overwhelm them, resulting in them not being able to focus and engage. These children may have difficulty selecting the appropriate visual information; this will make it difficult for them to respond appropriately in given situations. Their responses can appear as unwanted behaviour.

If a child is experiencing difficulties in this area, they should be referred for an eye test to rule out any other medical difficulties.

Hypersensitivity

Some children are highly distracted by the visual stimuli around them. These children may be overwhelmed by the many colours in the room, the resources, the displays on the walls and the movement of others around them. They may fail to focus on a task because of other visual distractions around them. These children may cover their eyes to remove some of the visual stimulation.

The child may focus on a tiny part of an object rather than the whole thing, for example, they may become fascinated by tiny threads on the carpet. They may become focused on activity outside the window or become focused on counting the tiles on the floor. They may stimulate themselves on reflective surfaces. Children with an overactive visual sense may experience text vibrating or wobbling, so that activities which involve reading can be tiresome and un-enjoyable.

General Tips for hypersensitivity

• Play with the child in a distraction free area.
• Avoid making environments visually too busy.
• Think about book illustrations and choose books with simple pictures and uncluttered backgrounds.
• Ensure that marks are removed from board before writing on them
• Sit the child on a large single coloured rug to discourage thread pulling or the distraction of patterns.
• Ensure any laminated visuals are made using matt laminate pouches as some children get stuck on the reflection of the card as opposed to the picture itself.

Hyposensitivity

Children who are visually under stimulated may barely notice their surroundings unless details and objects are pointed out to them. They may stare at the same point for extended periods of time, maybe out the window, at bright lights or at a flickering fluorescent light. They may get excited at flashing lights on toys. They may quickly become confused during visual activities and lose interest. These children need a visual boost.

General tips for hyposensitivity

• Use visual cues and gestures to support understanding and engagement.
• Use a blind to blank out distractions.
• Avoid fluorescent lighting, especially those that flicker.

Limit flashing light toys to use as motivators for short periods.

Activities to try

• If children are visual learners, then pictures might provide the information that they need.
• Provide activities which allow the child to explore and create in minute detail, e.g. making collages out of rice.
• Play alongside and tune into the child. Encourage them to point at what they see as this will help you to understand what they focus on.
• Sensory rooms are useful and often relaxing for children that stare at lights. Use interaction switches and voice activated light boards to encourage interactive play.