Children with visual impairment (VI) and autism vary markedly. The project was concerned with two very broad groups of children:
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Children who have VI and also have a diagnosis of autism/autistic spectrum disorder (ASD)/Asperger's syndrome.
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Children who have VI who do not have a formal diagnosis of ASD/Asperger's syndrome, although their profile of skills and needs suggests that they may be on the autistic spectrum.
In both of these groups, many of the children have a complex range of disabilities. For example, in addition to their visual impairment and autism (whether diagnosed or not), these may include:
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learning difficulties - which can vary from mild, through moderate and severe to profound
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physical disability - for example, cerebral palsy, which is frequently associated with visual impairment
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a hearing loss
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attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
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dyspraxia
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dyslexia
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epilepsy
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other chronic medical conditions.