Month: February 2024

How Does Vision Affect Behavior?

Vision plays a pivotal role in shaping our behavior, influencing how we interact with and respond to the world around us. With approximately 80% of sensory input being visual, our perception of the environment profoundly impacts our actions and reactions.

There are two types of visual pathways focal and ambient:

• Focal vision:  visual attention to the “what”; central vision; focus on an object of interest; creates visual perception; requires efficient eye teaming (clear focus on image with both eyes simultaneously); active/conscious skill 
• Ambient vision: visual attention to the “where”; peripheral fields; creates spatial map of where our body is in relation to objects in our environment; assists with creating stability; inactive/unconscious skill

Perception leads to > prediction leads to > brain function: fight, flight, freeze or rest and digest response: 

• Perception: the active process of bringing meaning to an object; creates prediction for motor responses
• Prediction: expectation of events not yet to come 
• Fight, Flight, Freeze: The body’s stress/fear response
• Rest and Digest: The body’s calm/resting state

If there are deficits in visual function, deficits in visual perception occur which can lead to unpredictability and emotional instability 

• Children with developmental delays are commonly found to have deficits in visual function 
• Developmental obstacles disrupt critical voluntary and reflexive muscle responses and mental processes which impact behavior 
• When the brain perceives danger, fight or flight responses are activated 

What Can We Do to Help?

An Occupational Therapist can:

• Provide analysis on vision, somatosensory and vestibular (sensory) function
• Create multi-sensory interventions to rewire and fire neural responses 
• Identify specific deficits and implement a treatment plan and suggestions for home
• Educate children and families on calming strategies to de-escalate aversive behaviors 
• Facilitate fine/visual motor activities such as building with blocks, stringing beads, blowing bubbles, hitting a balloon, and more!

Written By: Jamie Blough, COTA