Thanks for the answers. I would still like very much to speak with the parents of (or anyone who has worked with) any blind or vision impaired kids diagnosed with ASD. We have started a dialogue with her school to see about some possible evaluation.

I suspect that (as with most kinds of testing) the traditional evaluation methods may have limitations due to a significant visual bias, and also, tend to assume that many traditional therapeutic solutions may require modification. My guess is that someone has already put some information together as to some of what has been adapted for blind/vi kids with ASD. It seems a shame to start from scratch, perhaps missing some details while we are busy reinventing the wheel.

Blind or not, some of our kids on the spectrum are sound sensitive. My son is one. Speech delay makes him hearing too well. This led to sensory overload. Getting her busy w new routines and hobbies w your presence will help since she can't see. Listening to or playing music also help to overcome this problem. Exposure her to these noises to a min degree from a distance also desensitize her. Keep her w her favorite toys/pillow when train her will help. Feed her w her favorite snack as soon as she exposed to noise will help to relieve her anxiety.

In addition, I suspect your child has apraxia or dyspraxia (old term) or motor planning problem. Ask school for an global apraxia eval by OT and ST in this area may help identifying what need to be done. Apraxic kid repeats themselves to get it down when learning and do it once mastering due to lack of control. Having someone say "it ok" will reassure her message received and understood so she can stop.

Hope it help.

She is definately on the spectrum. You just described my son almost to a T. I could go on an on but bottom line is you ate probably dealing with ASD. It is not uncommon for visually impaired people to be on the spectrum.