"My child's eye tests and lack of communication"

I took my child along to the eye clinic at Wishaw General Hospital following a failed eye test at nursery. We had subsequently had an eye test at our local optician that I was present at and my child identified all pictures they were shown both large and small and the optician said they were fine and we didn't need to return. To give a bit of back ground my child is on the autistic spectrum and had a marked speech delay. My kid struggles with concentration and following instruction,but can see the smallest of objects that you or I would need a magnifying glass to see!

On arrival to the hospital I mentioned that I didn't think there was anything wrong with my child’s eyesight, it was concentration that was the issue and I was rather abruptly informed that yes it was the eyesight that was the issue! The lady we saw did not seem interested in hearing about my child’s additional needs and what difficulties they may have experienced during the original eye test and kept cutting me off! She admitted herself that my child had not been able to do the first test and they had to perform a different test. The nursery had already told me that my child had struggled to concentrate and was more interested in the eye patch they had applied. I subsequently mentioned that the optician had said my child’s vision was fine to which I was told they received a report saying that they were short-sighted!

They then proceeded to do an eye test in which my child identified every object again, large and small with both eyes following a bit of help to stay focused (as my kid was more interested in Mickey Mouse shown at start of the test) We have been advised to return in 4 months and I am still unsure why as both tests I have witnessed appear to have been fine!

I left the office feeling very upset as I was constantly interrupted when trying to explain my child’s additional needs and the optometrist kept saying "you want what's best for your child" as if I was in denial! Believe me I am not in denial and if someone can actually explain why they think they have eye problems I am all ears! I am constantly involved in meetings with other members of the multi-disciplinary team, my child has seen speech therapy, OT, educational psychology and additional needs support teachers all instigated by me as I will go to the ends of the earth to ensure my child has every bit of support that they need.