Exercises with Anti-Suppression Mask – 10 Inspirations
Exercises with the anti-suppression mask are very simple and intuitive. The anti-suppression mask with red-green glasses combined with the imagination of parents is an excellent tool in the therapy of amblyopia. To help and accelerate the exercises, I have gathered 10 inspirations.
We can use the mask for amblyopia therapy, vision therapy for children with delayed development, post-surgery therapy, for autistic children, or other children who need stimulation for simultaneous vision.
IMPORTANT NOTE: NEVER use the mask in strabismus therapy! If either eye “wanders,” do not use the anti-suppression mask.
How to Start?
Always place the mask on text or a drawing. All exercises are printed by parents or we use our own black-and-white book/exercises for the child.
Red-green glasses are always put on over the child’s corrective glasses. Do not cover either eye.
How the mask works can be found in the article “Anti-Suppression Mask – How Does It Work?” If you need a mask, visit the store: https://exerciseeyes.com/store/
1. What Do You See?
Coloring books and picture books can be used to converse with the child and work together. Adjust the size of the elements in the picture to the visual acuity of the weaker eye. If we see that a specific size does not pose a difficulty for the child, we talk and point to increasingly smaller objects.
Looking at the picture above, we can ask:
- What do you see in the picture (pointing with a finger or pointer)?
- Show the people – who do you see? Where is the mother? Where is the boy? Who is the smallest?
- Where is the house? What elements does it have? Where are they (windows, chimney, etc.)?
- Do you see any animals? Which ones? How many? Where?
- Do you see any plants? Which ones? How many? Where?
- What is the weather like? What do you see in the sky?
- Trace with the pointer: house, clouds, cat, tree, roof tiles, etc.
- Who is wearing glasses?
- Who has a flower dress?
- Count/show all the flowers. Etc.
Conduct the conversation freely. If the child resists and grumbles, we need to focus on larger elements or change the picture. If the child quickly and eagerly answers our questions, even getting bored, move to smaller elements.
2. Find the shadow
Free task templates are available online. Print the exercise, keeping in mind the size of the drawings (you can change during printing) and the difficulty. Find the appropriate shadow with the child. You can also discuss the differences between the individual drawings and trace the outlines.
3. Tracing
Tracing is another fun activity. Place the mask on the drawing, and the child traces the lines with a pointer (without writing on the mask) according to the shape. The drawings can be more or less complicated. It’s important that they are liked by the child. Parents control if the child is not looking under the red-green glasses or lifting them to peek.
4. "Drawing" Patterns
Older children can practice drawing patterns. The only difference between drawing on a regular sheet of paper is that we “draw” with a pointer to avoid damaging the mask. Adjust the size of the patterns to the visual capabilities of the weaker eye and gradually increase the difficulty.
5. Connect the Dots
Use a pointer to connect the dots according to the pattern. Older children can connect dots with numbers.
6. Maze
Find the way to the goal.
7. Where Is It?
In the pictures, the child sees many elements. Discuss each of them, point, trace, pair, and find within a time limit.
Older children can match words to pictures in English or another language.
8. Learning Letters, Numbers, Syllables
Prepare a sheet of paper with letters and numbers of any size for the child. After placing the anti-suppression mask on the paper, teach and help the child memorize letters, numbers, or syllables depending on the child’s age.
9. "Writing" Letters
The next step is “writing” letters. Remember not to damage the mask.
For information on how the mask works, see the article “Anti-Suppression Mask – How Does It Work?” If you need a mask, visit the store: https://exerciseeyes.com/store/