Rethinking Non-Speaking Autism: Vision, Motor Challenges, and Communication | Ep. 59

Brooke hosts Finding Hope on the Spectrum and interviews developmental optometrist and expert Dr. Susan Daniel, who shares her groundbreaking work linking vision therapy, motor challenges like apraxia, and communication for non-speaking individuals and spellers. Inspired by her own experience with double vision and her son Matthew's diagnosis of autism and severe apraxia, Dr. Daniel describes her shift from general optometry to specializing in neurodiverse care. She outlines a unique, parent-driven coaching model born out of the COVID-19 pandemic that utilizes tools like syntonic phototherapy (color therapy), prism lenses, and visual-motor exercises to help individuals safely regulate their nervous systems, flatten gait issues like toe walking, and gain the physical visual control needed to reliably access communication methods. 00:00 Double Vision and Fighting the Court Lines 01:01 Podcast Welcome and Introduction 01:40 Meet Dr. Susan Daniel 02:56 From General Optometry to Special Needs Detective 05:38 Matthew’s Journey: Apraxia and Depth Perception 08:07 Collaborating with Spelling Practitioners 10:48 General Eye Exams vs. Developmental Optometry 12:01 High Rates of Ocular Disease in the Autistic Population 13:32 Connecting Body Apraxia to Eye Motor Planning 16:15 The Struggle of Fighting Double Vision Every Day 18:30 Breaking Exercises Down for Communication Desires 20:19 Managing Anxiety and Motion Sensitivity in Public 21:32 Pivoting to a Parent-Driven Coaching Model 22:39 The Power of Repetition and Once-a-Month Visits 24:19 Explaining the "Why" to Motor-Challenged Clients 25:32 Scoring Big Goals: From Letterboards to Pickleball 26:25 Sharing Protocols and Mentoring Global Doctors 29:56 Why Words Aren't Needed for a Complete Eye Exam 32:12 Finding Prescriptions with the Retinoscope Light 33:34 Revealing the Eye Turn Stats: 80% to 90% in Non-Speakers 36:37 Unlocking Purpose: Why Spellers Choose Stencils Over Keyboards 37:59 Balancing the Seesaw of Motor vs. Cognitive Demands 39:21 Syntonic Phototherapy: Balancing the Rest and Digest Spectrum 43:54 Regulating the Nervous System Before Challenging Work 46:30 Taking the Exam Out of the Chair (Floor, Swings, and Trampolines) 48:15 Travel Optometry and Working Across State Borders 51:32 Case Study: Correcting Posture and Mastering the Paragraph Track 52:48 Straightening Up Gait: Fixing Visual Toe Walking with Lenses 54:17 Finding Certified Practitioners Globally via COVD Connect with Finding Hope on the Spectrum:Website: www.findinghopeonthespectrum.com Email: [email protected] Facebook: Finding Hope on the Spectrum Facebook Page LinkedIn: Brooke Wagner on LinkedIn Instagram: @findinghopeonthespectrum TikTok: @findinghopeonthespectrumGuest Contact:Dr. Susan DanielNeuro-Developmental OptometristWebsite: https://www.susandanieloptometry.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susan-daniel-o-d-4930b726/ YouTube: https://youtube.com/@susandaniel