Managing Core Symptoms of Autism Spectrum Disorder
Helping adults and children with autism spectrum disorder better interact with their environment by rebuilding neuropathways and providing treatments to help reduce sensory overload.
Awards & Recognition
Overcoming Environmental Challenges
and Improving Processing
The term, autistic spectrum disorder, encompasses a continuum of various conditions, including Asperger syndrome, autism, and pervasive developmental disorders (PDD). Scientists believe genetics plays a role in some affected patients, but differences in brain function, structure or other neurological issues may be underlying causes as well. No two individuals on the autism spectrum are the same, which means people will respond differently and require unique interventions based on their situation. Our extensive testing will allow us to assess how individuals are reacting to their environment and what may be causing sensory overload or other issues that may affect one’s behavior.
You are not alone in this journey. If you’ve been told that there’s no hope for improvement, give us a call and speak to a new patient advocate to determine if we may be able to assess something that might have been overlooked.
Common Symptoms Associated
with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Common Symptoms Associated with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurological and developmental disorder that can cause significant social, communication, and behavioral challenges. People with ASD may have difficulty interacting with others, communicating verbally or nonverbally, and understanding social cues. They may also exhibit repetitive behaviors or interests. Other symptoms and common behaviors associated with ASD include:
These symptoms can make for a challenging experience for people on the autism spectrum. Our hope is to use our expertise and compassionate staff of experts to help adults and children living with ASD to live more fulfilling lives.
How the Mind-Eye Institute Helps Patients
with Autism Spectrum Disorder
How the Mind-Eye Institute Helps Patients with Autism Spectrum Disorder
The Mind-Eye Institute views the eye as an entrance into brain function. Our treatment is based on the latest research in neuroscience and has been shown to be effective in improving social skills, communication, and behavior in people with ASD.
Our optometrists individually assess each patient. Once we determine which of the many visual skills used during a day are easy and which are difficult or avoided, we create a customized treatment plan to address the specific visual processing challenges that the patient is facing.
Our treatment is designed to change the incoming environment, activate infrequently used brain pathways, and divert activity from overloaded pathways. This helps improve the patient's ability to process visual information and interact with the world around them.
Interested in Visiting Our Clinic?
Interested in Visiting Our Clinic?
Get in contact with one of our New Patient Advocates to book an appointment.
At the Mind-Eye Institute we understand that interactions between the electrical and biochemical pathways in the brain affect physical, physiological and psychological systems. Visual interventions that alter retinal signaling pathways impact both the electrical and biochemical systems.
Our patients undergo thorough examination with advanced technology and testing techniques to measure their reactions and responses to light entering the retina. With this information, experts at the Mind-Eye Institute determine whether a patient’s visual and auditory systems are synchronized. They consider how light might be manipulated to positively impact brain function and body chemistry. The goal is to find optimal ways of mitigating symptoms that are not improved or resolved through standard approaches.
Specifically, our team offers patients prescriptive eyeglasses, contact lenses or other optometric interventions to selectively stimulate light dispersed on the retina. Individualized lenses can:
Getting In Touch With Us
To learn about next steps for registering as a patient or registering a child as a patient, please call the Mind-Eye Institute office at 847.558.7817 or you can fill out our online New Patient Inquiry Form provided here.
The Mind-Eye Institute is a non-participating provider with any insurance company. We don’t bill your insurance directly, but our team will provide you with the necessary documentation to submit to your insurance company for partial reimbursement following your visit.
New Patient Inquiry
Thank you for your interest in scheduling an appointment at the Mind-Eye Institute. Prior to submitting your request to speak with a new patient advocate, we ask that you carefully review our FAQ section below which has more information on insurance, financial aid, and treatment at facility.The FAQ link needs to anchor down to the FAQ section.
An Overview of the Patient Journey
Our goal is to help children and adults enjoy a more comfortable environment in their day-to-day lives, which has a direct effect on quality of life. Our approach is designed to help patients remap brain pathways and improve visual processing, rather than sharpening eyesight. This viewpoint makes our evaluations and interventions so unique. Here’s what our groundbreaking testing and top-notch patient care looks like:
1
Evaluation
The Mind-Eye Institute uses advanced technology and testing techniques to examine visual performance and processing skills. You’ll be visiting our clinic here in the Chicagoland area. The thorough evaluation will take several hours to pinpoint subtle visual processing issues. Learn about our Patented Z-Bell Test.
2
Individualized Plans
Following your in-office evaluation, an individualized plan will be prescribed to break old visual habits and create new ones. This is accomplished by using many care tools, ranging from Mind-Eye Brainwear to modify external eyesight, all the way to visual skill development and processing activities to address internal visualization.
3
At-Home Care
A Patient Advocate will be following up regularly to ensure that you are progressing with the activities and care tools prescribed as part of your treatment plan.
4
Follow-up Appointments
Patient follow-ups can take 2-3 years on average. Depending on the situation, we recommend that patients return to our Chicagoland clinic 2-3 times/year for updated evaluations and possible prescription changes as they continue to break old brain habits and form new ones. Each patient is different, and progress is specific to each individual and their condition.
A Passionate Team That Cares, Producing Life-Changing Results
Don’t take our word for it! Check out testimonials from past patients (and their caretakers or parents). These include professional athletes, artists, veterans, first responders, parents, children, and people from all walks of life.Their stories will inform you, their resilience will inspire you, and our commitment to patient care and transformation through continuous research will bring confidence that embarking on this journey is the right choice.
FAQs
FAQs
We do not bill any insurance but we will provide the CPT procedure codes and superbill for patients to submit to their insurance for partial reimbursement for out-of-network benefits.
Patients would be required to come to the clinic in order to be evaluated for a prescription and treatment plan. We do see many patients from out of state and internationally, typically for limited time in the clinic between 3-5 times over the course of 2-3 years. Many patients fly in and out on the same day.
There are a few practitioners worldwide who have received one of the five levels of training that the Mind-Eye Institute’s practitioners offer.. We are able to do remote patient appointments for follow-up appointments with those optometrists on a case-by-case basis. Please contact us and speak with a New Patient Advocate in order to address further questions or concerns.
We see a range of patients starting at 4-5 months old babies, when a lot of binocular vision begins, to adults who want to build new visual skills after a lifetime of learning problems. Brains can change at any age, although long-term habits take longer to break.
Our testimonial videos represent just a small portion of the patients who we have helped over many years. Yet, these videos make a great resource for some patients to recognize their own symptoms, or to find solace that there are other people like them. To better understand if we can help with your particular situation, please contact us and speak with a New Patient Advocate who will better be able to determine if our clinic is the right fit for you.
We do offer financing for patients over the course of 6-12 month payments via Care Credit. We also have options for financial aid which patients can apply for via our financial aid forms. This can put services on a sliding scale based on income. Please ask a New Patient Advocate for these forms and we will be happy to get those sent over to you.
Ready to Start Your Journey?
Ready to Start Your Journey?
A 30-minute phone call with a new patient advocate will provide you everything that you need to know to get started.
A 30-minute phone call with a new patient advocate will provide you everything that you need to know to get started.
Scientific Research
Research
Dyslexia: Can Customized Eyeglasses Modify Its Effects?
Research
The Limbic System: Are Emotions and Memory Linked to Visual Processing?
Research
Mind-Eye Founder Speaks at Stanford Brain Injury Program
Research
COVID Pandemic Delayed Many Children’s School Readiness
Research
Light, Retina, and Metabolism of Glucose Are Linked
Research