Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) diagnosis has increased over the years thanks to advancements in diagnostic tools and our understanding. For children and adults with ASD, intervention is sometimes needed. Social stories are one intervention tool you can use to assist children with ASD.  

Vision impairment is the term used to describe situations where a person’s eyesight cannot be corrected to be within the normal range. This means that despite corrective methods like glasses, contacts, or surgical options, your eyesight is still poor.

20/20 vision is the standard of what is considered adequate vision in the U.S. This means that both eyes can see something 20 feet away clearly and without issues, which is about average. 

The World Health Organization defines low vision as between 20/70, meaning that you see something that is 20 feet away with the same detail someone with normal vision would see from 70 feet away, or 20/400, meaning you see something from 20 feet away the same way someone with normal vision would see it from 400 feet away. These measurements are made after correction options have been used. Blindness is considered anything worse than 20/400 with the use of corrective measures.

Visual acuity is not the only measure of vision impairment, though. Another factor taken into consideration is the visual field: how wide of an area your eyes can see without you needing to turn your head. A normal visual field is about 160 to 170 degrees. Low vision is considered a visual field of 20 degrees or less, while blindness is a visual field of 10 degrees or less.

In the U.S., vision loss and vision impairment are usually caused by age-related conditions. These include conditions such as: 

Vision impairment and blindness can be the result of a congenital condition. Congenital conditions are conditions you are born with. Things like genetic conditions and an infection during pregnancy can lead to congenital vision loss. 

Other causes of vision loss include disease, infection, and injury.

The kitchen is perhaps one of the most dangerous rooms in the house. Appliances like microwaves, ovens, and stoves can all cause fires. The kitchen is also full of sharp tools like knives, choppers, and blenders.

Before getting started. There are a few things you can do before you start cooking to allow you to cook safely. One of the best ways you can make low-vision cooking safe and seamless is to keep your kitchen organized. Knowing where everything is located allows you to cook safely and seamlessly and helps you grab the right items when they are needed.

If you have items that look similar, find ways to label them. The labeling method may depend on your vision impairment, but try items like braille labels, large-print labels, or tactile options like rubber bands.

Low light can make vision worse for some people. If you find you struggle in low light, look for options to add light to your kitchen. Try additional lamps, LED light strips, or adhesive lights under your cabinets.

When it’s time to start cooking: 

Use color-contrasting tools. Using tools that contrast the food you’re using will help you see what you’re doing a little easier. For example, cut dark foods like broccoli on a light cutting board and measure light foods like flour or sugar in darker measuring cups.

Cooking on the stove. When you’re vision-impaired, cooking over the stove can be nerve-wracking, especially if your stovetop has gas flames. There are a few different tips you can utilize to keep yourself safe, though, when cooking blind over the stove:

Baking. Baking isn’t as tricky as cooking over a stove, but it can still be nerve-wracking if you’re cooking while blind or have low vision. Try these tips:

Food prep. There are several different tricks you can use to make chopping, measuring, and pouring easier:

There are many products on the market designed to facilitate low-vision cooking and blind cooking.

SOURCES: American Academy of Ophthalmology: “What Are Cataracts?” “What Is Glaucoma? Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment,” “What Is Macular Degeneration?” Cleveland Clinic: “20/20 Vision.” Perkins School for the Blind: “Eight cooking tips for people who are visually impaired.” University of Pittsburgh Department of Ophthalmology: “What is Vision Impairment?” Vision Aware: “Safe Cooking Techniques for Cooks Who Are Blind or Have Low Vision.” World Health Organization: “Blindness and vision impairment.”

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