Key Takeaways
- A pre-visit means your child can meet Dr. Harapiak and explore the clinic before exam day.
- A social story can walk your child through each step using simple photos.
- Our eye care team can adapt the timing, testing methods, and pacing to fit your child.
- Sensory supports like headphones or a favourite toy can help your child stay calm.
- Regular eye exams are important as they can detect vision problems that affect learning and daily life.
For children with autism, ADHD, anxiety, sensory sensitivities, or development delays, an eye exam can feel like a lot. From the new sounds, bright lights, and unfamiliar faces, our team knows that families need an optometrist who understands how to tailor care for your unique child. At Eye Care Studio, our entire team of professionals wants to make your child’s experience as seamless and comfortable as possible.
Every child should have an eye exam shaped around their needs, pace, and comfort. Dr. Alison Harapiak has years of experience caring for children with special needs, and she knows a 1-size-fits-all approach rarely works. By taking extra time and listening to your concerns, she helps each child feel at ease, so you can receive excellent care that works for your family.
What to Do Before the Appointment
One of the simplest ways to ease worry is to help your child know what to expect before they walk through the door for a comprehensive eye exam. A little preparation can change how the whole visit feels.
Schedule a Pre-Visit
Many families find a short visit to the clinic ahead of the exam makes a real difference. During this visit, we won’t do any testing. This step is just about looking around and settling in.
During a pre-visit, here is what we can offer your family:
- Meet Dr. Harapiak and the Eye Care Studio team
- Walk through the clinic and the waiting area
- Sit in the examination chair
- See some of the equipment that will be used
- Get used to the sights, sounds, and routines of the office
Review a Social Story
Dr. Harapiak often suggests a social story before an appointment. A social story is a short, personalized guide that walks your child through each part of the visit. The story can include photos of several spots, including:
- The outside of the clinic
- The reception area
- Our friendly optometrist, Dr. Harapiak
- The examination room and chair
- The testing equipment
Reading the story a few times at home may help your child feel more ready.
A Personalized Approach
No 2 children are alike, which is why Dr. Harapiak shapes each exam around the child in front of her. The aim is a calm, successful visit, not a rushed one.
Depending on your child, she may try a few approaches, such as:
- Allowing for extra appointment time
- Taking frequent breaks
- Changing the order of testing or adjusting them if needed
- Using matching games, pictures, or symbols instead of letters
- Explaining each step before it happens
- Following your child’s interests to build trust
This way, she can still gather the information needed to check your child’s vision and eye health.
Support for Sensory Needs
Some children find bright lights, new equipment, sounds, or close personal space hard to handle. Our entire eye care team is trained to work with families to spot what might bother a child and make changes where and when we can.
You know what helps your child stay calm, and we’d love for you to share that knowledge with us. That might be a favourite toy, noise-reducing headphones, a visual schedule, or a quiet break partway through. Your experience with us should feel like a partnership, not a 1-way conversation.
Why Eye Exams Matter
Many children with developmental disabilities or additional support needs are at increased risk for certain vision problems, which can affect learning, communication, behaviour, and everyday play. A full exam can help identify several things, including nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism.
It can also identify focusing and eye coordination issues, such as binocular vision dysfunction. Every eye exam also looks for early signs of eye health problems, like glaucoma or retinal damage. When vision problems are identified and appropriately managed, many children experience more comfortable vision during reading and other daily activities.
A Partnership with Families
We know that parents understand their children better than anyone. That’s why Dr. Harapiak works alongside you to learn your child’s strengths, challenges, communication style, and sensory preferences. Whether your child needs a gentle introduction, more time, or a fully individual plan, our team is here to help.
Book Your Visit with Eye Care Studio
If a social story, a pre-visit, or other supports would help your child, we’d love you to tell us when you book your appointment. If you’re looking for a caring optometrist in SW Calgary, you’ll love Eye Care Studio. Together, we can make your child’s eye exam a comfortable and successful experience.
