What happens when I come for testing?
How common is Irlen Syndrome?
Can Good Readers have SSS?
If I have ADD or ADHD can I be helped with coloured filters?
Has there been research on Irlen Syndrome?
Can everyone with reading problems benefit from Irlen Filters?
Why do I need to have my vision checked before Irlen testing?
What causes Irlen Syndrome?
Would coloured sunglasses or tinted lenses from an optometrist help?
What happens when I come for testing?
The assessment process is separated into two testing
sessions. The first session is called the Screening. You
will do various perceptual tasks with a certified Irlen Diagnostician
to determine if you have the Irlen Syndrome. The testing creates
an awareness of exactly what types of distortions you are experiencing
when reading, educates as to what a page should be like, and finally,
determines if you symptoms are slight, moderate or severe. At this
first session we also check your sensitivity to light, depth perception
and whether you experience environmental distortions. We determine
which coloured overlay (plastic sheet) which will provide the greatest
benefit for reading.
The second session is selecting the correct combination of colours
to correct your distortions. The colour you will wear
as lenses is usually quite different from the most helpful overlay
colour. The
overlay makes the page look coloured. With the Irlen lenses, the
page will still look white but it will be a comfortable white. This
means the Irlen lenses will not change the colour of what you are
looking at.
How common is Irlen Syndrome?
Around 50% of children and adults with reading problems have Irlen
Syndrome. For some, Irlen Syndrome will be just part of the puzzle
as they will have other reading/learning problems that need to be
addressed, too. Irlen Filters will make the print clear and easy
to see the page comfortably. This is not a method of reading instruction
or remediation but wearing Irlen Lenses may make it easier to benefit
from reading instruction and utilize these reading skills with ease
and comfort and to be able to read for long periods at a time.
Can Good Readers have SSS?
About 12 - 14% of the general population, good readers and even
gifted students can have Irlen Syndrome. For these individuals, using
Irlen coloured overlays may allow them to read longer without having
to take breaks, read without experiencing strain, fatigue, or even
getting headaches. For others, they may find that they have to do
less rereading for comprehension or that they are no longer losing
their place on the page.
If I have ADD or ADHD can I be helped with coloured filters?
About 33% of those individuals with attention problems may find
that the cause of their problems is struggling to sit still, attend
and work under fluorescent lighting. Irlen Filters may be a drug-free
alternative.
Has there been research on Irlen Syndrome?
Yes, over 54 papers have been published in peer review journals;
long term studies show positive feedback from people who have been
wearing Irlen Filters for over 6 years. Just as many girls as boys
have Irlen Syndrome. One study of 751 children with Irlen Syndrome
found that 84% had at least one parent withIrlen
Syndrome.
Can everyone with reading problems benefit from Irlen Filters?
No. Only if they have Irlen Syndrome.
Problems related to language differences, poor phonic skills and
a sight vocabulary can only be helped with appropriate reading instruction.
Occasionally we find people who have symptoms but none of the Filters
help. In this case, the person is usually able to get some help by
reading in dimmer light and using a plastic overlay. A few people
will need to wear Irlen Filters AND use a plastic overlay.
Why do I need to have my vision checked before Irlen testing?
Visual problems should be corrected before screening for Irlen
Syndrome since colour cannot correct visually problems nor does it
replace the need for glasses.
What causes Irlen Syndrome?
Medica research shows that these perception problems appear to
be caused by a defect in one of the visual pathways that carry messages
from the eye to the brain. This defect causes a timing fault in processing
visual information. Filtering out specific wavelengths of light helps
the pathway to function normally.
Would coloured sunglasses or tinted lenses from an optometrist
help?
No. What makes Irlen Filters work is the careful identification
of the person's symptoms and the selection of a tint that gets rid
of these symptoms. Only a certified Irlen specialist can carry out
this process.
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