Light Tolerance · Visual Tracking · Figure-Ground · Visual Discrimination. The visual system processes not just what we see, but how we filter and interpret our environment — overlapping with vestibular processing at Level 3 of the Ayres hierarchy.
⚡ Visual stimming is often self-regulatory — providing a structured visual outlet is more effective than suppression. Progressively shift from passive staring to active tracking and discrimination tasks.
Seeking
Staring at lightsVisual stimmingHand-flapping before eyesPeering closely at objects
Pendulum tracking: suspend a coloured ball on a string. Child watches swing without moving head — eyes only. 2 min.
Finger tracking: adult moves one finger slowly in a figure-8 pattern 60 cm from face. Child tracks eyes only. 10 reps.
Bubble tracking: blow bubbles slowly; child tracks each bubble from birth to pop using eyes only.
Ball tracking: roll a ball at different angles — child tracks and stops it with foot only.
Light tracking: use a torch in a dim room; child follows beam moving slowly across the ceiling.
Book tracking: use a reading ruler or finger to guide eyes along each line of print.
💡 TipsPoor visual tracking is a common, overlooked contributor to ADHD-related reading difficulties. Refer to a behavioural optometrist if tracking shows consistent difficulty in specific directions.
Controlled Visual Stimming Station
5.2
★ Easy⏱ 5–10 min · 2–3×/day
🎯 Structured, time-limited visual stimming outlet; reduce random disruptive light-staring
Create a 'visual corner' with: lava lamp, kaleidoscope, rotating star projector, prism sunlight catcher
Establish clear START and STOP signals (visual timer)
Child explores freely within the time limit
After the timer ends, child transitions to a non-visual activity (proprioceptive or tactile)
Over weeks, gradually reduce duration by 2 minutes per week
Replace reduced time with visual tracking exercises
💡 TipsThis is NOT a reward — it is a controlled therapeutic outlet. Frame it as part of the sensory schedule. Slowly shift preferred visual input from passive (staring) to active (tracking, puzzle, Where's Waldo).
Figure-Ground Discrimination Activities
5.3
★★ Moderate⏱ 10–15 min
🎯 Improve ability to identify target stimuli in a visually complex background; reduce overwhelm in busy environments
Where's Waldo / I Spy books: scan a detailed scene for specific targets — start with fewer distractors
Hidden picture puzzles: find 10 objects embedded in a complex line drawing
Overlapping shapes worksheet: identify 3 shapes drawn overlapping each other
Nature scavenger hunt: find 5 items in a garden — real-world visual scanning
Floor puzzle in a busy box: hide pieces in a sand box; find and assemble simultaneously
Sorting from a pile: mix 5 different small objects; child sorts rapidly by category
💡 TipsProgress from low-contrast to high-contrast backgrounds, then back to low contrast at higher complexity. These exercises also build executive function (selective attention) — dual benefit for ADHD.
Light Desensitisation (for Photophobia)
5.4
★★★ Advanced⏱ 10–15 min · 3×/wk
🎯 Gradually reduce distress response to bright or fluorescent light
Week 1: Child wears tinted glasses (amber or rose tint) in all indoor environments. No fluorescent exposure.
Week 2: Sit in a room with one fluorescent tube active for 5 minutes. Tinted glasses worn.
Week 3: Same room, glasses removed after 3 minutes. Increase to 8-minute session.
Week 4: Full fluorescent lighting for 5 minutes without glasses, doing a preferred activity
Week 5: 10 minutes full lighting. Introduce natural sunlight (shaded): sit by a sunny window.
Week 6+: Outdoor time in full daylight with sunglasses → gradually remove over following weeks
💡 TipsIrlen Syndrome (scotopic sensitivity) requires coloured overlay assessment by a specialist. Replace home fluorescent lighting with 2700K warm LED — dramatic improvement for many families at minimal cost.
Spatial Awareness Obstacle Course
5.5
★★ Moderate⏱ 15–20 min
🎯 Integrate visual, vestibular, and proprioceptive systems; improve navigation in busy environments
Set up: tunnel (crawl), cones (weave), stepping stones (jump), low beam (balance), string maze (duck and step)
First pass: eyes open with adult verbal guidance
Second pass: eyes open independently
Third pass: at each checkpoint, close eyes and reach forward — find next obstacle by touch
Blindfold challenge (advanced): partial blindfold; navigate using only spoken directions
Reverse challenge: navigate the course backwards — eyes open
💡 TipsStart simple (3 obstacles) and add complexity as the child masters each configuration. This activity builds visual-spatial and body-schema integration described in Level 2 of the Ayres hierarchy.