Question 1

What is Irlen Syndrome?

Accepted Answer

Irlen Syndrome is a type of visual or perceptual processing disorder. Someone with a visual or perceptual processing disorder has difficulty making sense of visual information. This is different from problems involving sight or vision. When an individual suffers from Irlen Syndrome, their brain has difficulty processing certain wavelengths of light. In this way, light (especially bright and fluorescent lighting) becomes a stressor on the brain. This stress causes certain parts of the brain (e.g., the visual cortex) to become overactive. It is this over-activity and inability to effectively process visual stimuli that creates a variety of visual, physical, cognitive, emotional, and neurological symptoms. Light sensitivity is very common with Irlen Syndrome. Irlen Syndrome is hereditary and tends to run in families, affecting males and females equally. However, an individual can also acquire symptoms of Irlen Syndrome as a result of illness, medical procedures, or traumatic brain injury (or concussion). Like Autism, Irlen Syndrome is a spectrum disorder, falling on a continuum from slight to severe. Individuals who can read or perform visually- intensive activities for 40-60 minutes before any Irlen symptoms appear are on the slight end of the spectrum. These individuals can manage most academic tasks without difficulty; but when endurance is required, their performance may deteriorate. Individuals with severe Irlen Syndrome will experience symptoms within 20 minutes of beginning to read. For some, symptoms may not begin immediately; however, symptoms will get worse the longer the individual continues to read or be in bright lighting. Fortunately, it is very easy to treat Irlen Syndrome. For more information go to Irlen International www.Irlen.com (www.Irlen.com)

Question 2

What causes Irlen Syndrome?

Accepted Answer

Medical research has shown that this type of perceptual problem appears to be caused by a defect in one of the visual pathways that carries messages from the eye to the brain. This defect causes a timing fault in processing visual information. Filtering out specific wave lengths of light helps the pathway to function normally.

Question 3

What are symptoms of Irlen Syndrome?

Accepted Answer

Light Sensitivity

·  Bothered by glare, fluorescent lights, bright lights, sunlight and sometimes lights at night
·  Some individuals experience physical symptoms and feel tired, sleepy, dizzy, anxious, or irritable. Others experience headaches, mood changes, restlessness or have difficulty staying focused, especially with bright or fluorescent lights.

Reading Problems

·  Poor comprehension
·  Misreads words
·  Problems tracking from line to line
·  Reads in dim light
·  Skips words or lines
·  Reads slowly or hesitantly
·  Takes breaks
·  Loses place
·  Avoids reading

Discomfort

·  Strain and fatigue
·  Tired or sleepy
·  Headaches or nausea
·  Fidgety or restless
·  Eyes that hurt or become watery

Attention and Concentration Problems

·  Problems with concentration when reading and doing academic tasks
·  Often people can appear to have other conditions, such as attention deficit disorder, and are given medication unnecessarily.

Writing Problems

·  Trouble copying
·  Unequal spacing
·  Unequal letter size
·  Writing up or downhill
·  Inconsistent spelling

Other Characteristics

·  Strain or fatigue from computer use
·  Difficulty reading music
·  Sloppy, careless math errors
·  Misaligned numbers in columns
·  Ineffective use of study time
·  Lack of motivation
·  Grades do not reflect the amount of effort

Depth Perception

·  Clumsiness
·  Difficulty catching balls
·  Difficulty judging distances
·  Additional caution necessary while driving

Distortions

·  Words on the page lack clarity or stability; i.e., may appear to be blurry, moving, or disappear

Question 4

What happens when I come for testing?

Accepted Answer

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 Screener or Diagnostician. The testing creates an awareness of the various distortions you are experiencing when reading, educates as to what a page should be like, and determines if your symptoms are slight, moderate or severe. At this first session, we establish the color of the overlay (plastic sheet) which will provide the greatest benefit for reading. You will be given this overlay to take home to use when reading. You will be able to see for yourself immediate changes and improvement when reading in one or more of the following skills:

• Reading rate
• Comfort
• Comprehension
• Sustained attention
• Error rate
• Flow and fluency
• Tracking
• Sight vocabulary
• Ability to skim or speed read

For those that the Irlen Colored Overlays improve reading, they go on for the second session, Tint Assessment. During the tint assessment, you work with different colored lenses to create your own unique color. This color filters out your offending wave lengths of light. Each person ends up with their own unique color. By filtering only certain wave lengths of light, reading, attention, light sensitivity, headaches and other physical symptoms improve or disappear.

The color you will wear as lenses is usually different from the overlay color. Thus, do not tint glasses the same color as your overlay. The overlay makes the page look colored. With the Irlen lenses, the page will still look white; but the print will be clear, stable and comfortable. Irlen lenses will not change the color of what you are looking at or make things darker.

Question 5

Why do I need to have my vision checked before Irlen testing?

Accepted Answer

Visual problems should be corrected before testing since the Irlen Method does not correct visual problems nor does it replace the need for glasses.

Question 6

Would colored sunglasses or tinted lenses from an optometrist help?

Accepted Answer

No. What makes Irlen Filters work is the patented testing process which can identify the individual’s symptoms and determine the correct color to eliminate the problems. Only certified Irlen diagnosticians are trained in this process. Vision specialists do not have the testing methods or range of colors needed to correct problems of how the brain processes visual information.

Question 7

If I have ADD or ADHD, can I be helped with Irlen Spectral Filters?

Accepted Answer

About 33% of those individuals with problems of attention, concentration, starting tasks, completing tasks, sitting still, and working under fluorescent lights can be helped by the Irlen Method. Irlen Filters may be a drug-free alternative.

Question 8

How common is Irlen Syndrome?

Accepted Answer

Around 50% of children and adults with reading, learning, or attention problems have Irlen Syndrome. For some, the Irlen Method is the solution. For others, the Irlen Method is just part of the puzzle as there will be other reading/learning problems that need to be addressed. Irlen Filters will make the print clear, stable, easy to see and comfortable. The Irlen Method is not a method of reading instruction or remediation but using Irlen colored overlays and lenses will allow your child to make progress and benefit from reading instruction. For many, the Irlen Method will allow you or your child to utilize your reading skills with ease and comfort. With the Irlen Method, the child and adult will be able to read for long periods with good comprehension.

Question 9

Can everyone with reading problems benefit from Irlen Filters?

Accepted Answer

No. Only if you have a type of perceptual processing problem. Processing problems affect flow, fluency, accuracy, and comprehension. Difficulty with phonics and language can also interfere with learning to read, and these problems are not corrected by the Irlen Method.

Problems related to language differences and poor phonic skills and sight vocabulary can only be helped with appropriate reading instruction.

Question 10

Can Good Readers have SSS?

Accepted Answer

About 12 – 14% of good readers and even gifted students can benefit from the Irlen Method. For these individuals, using Irlen colored overlays and lenses will allow them to finish work faster, get better grades, do better on standardized tests, and eliminate headaches and other symptoms of strain and fatigue. Good readers no longer avoid reading and find they can read for hours comfortably.

Question 11

What is a perceptual processing disorder?

Accepted Answer

When the brain has difficulty processing visual information it is called a visual, or perceptual, processing disorder. How, or what, someone sees might be affected, but it is not a problem with the eyes, it is a problem with the brain. Visual processing problems can include difficulties with visual discrimination, visual memory, visual sequencing, and visual motor processing. In the case of Irlen Syndrome, a core light sensitivity is what leads to the visual processing problems the brain experiences. Visual processing problems can sometimes overlap with learning difficulties and concentration problems, but are quite prevalent within the general population as well. While most often, a visual or perceptual processing disorder will be present from birth, visual processing problems can also be the result of head injury.

Irlen Syndrome can affect many different areas, including:

·  Academic and work performance
·  Behavior
·  Attention
·  Ability to sit still
·  Concentration

This problem can manifest itself differently for each individual. This problem is not remediable and is often a lifetime barrier to learning and performance. If you suffer from any of the following, Irlen Syndrome might be your problem:

·  Print looks different
·  Environment looks different
·  Slow or inefficient reading
·  Poor comprehension
·  Eye strain
·  Fatigue
·  Headaches
·  Difficulty with math computation
·  Difficulty copying
·  Difficulty reading music
·  Poor sports performance
·  Poor depth-perception
·  Low motivation
·  Low self-esteem

Question 12

Has there been research on the Irlen Method?

Accepted Answer

Yes, over 54 research papers have been published in peer-reviewed journals showing significant changes in reading rate, accuracy, and comprehension. In addition to educational studies and school district research, medical and biochemical research has documented the existence of Irlen Syndrome and the positive changes wearing Irlen Colored Lenses. Long term studies show positive feedback from people who have been wearing Irlen Filters for over 6 years.

Research indicates that just as many girls as boys can be helped with the Irlen Method. One study of 751 children with Irlen Syndrome found that 84% had at least one parent with Irlen Syndrome, indicating that this problem is genetic and runs in families. For more information go to Irlen International www.Irlen.com (www.Irlen.com)