Back to school is around the corner, which may present some unexpected challenges for yourself or your child. After weeks of outdoor activities, healthy exposure sunlight, and less structure, returning to hours of sitting, structure, and indoor activities may present unexpected challenges. Issues caused by biological and environmental stressors, such as artificial lighting, especially fluorescents, may impact the enjoyment of learning, as well as behavior and emotional wellbeing.
Hopefully, the transition will be smooth with little effort or problems, but if issues and challenges emerge, it is best to target accurately what those stressors are and implement remedies as soon as possible.
Let’s explore some of those potential challenges and solutions that can be easily implemented to create the best possible learning environment as well as boost self-confidence, enjoyment of new learning, and wellbeing.
Sensory stressors, including prolonged exposure to electronic devices and fluorescent lighting, less fresh air and less physical exercise can contribute to a visual sensory processing disorder known as scotopic sensitivity, or Irlen Syndrome. Irlen Syndrome can be a major contributor to problems with reading, math, handwriting and executive functioning. It can also impact sports performance, attention and focus, self regulation, as well as developing skills like reading music scores, playing an instrument and riding a bike.
Visual distortions can emerge which can cause letters or numbers to appear reversed, shaky, doubled, sparkly, or otherwise unclear, resulting in poor vision even with prescription glasses, mistakes in calculations due to not reading the symbols accurately, and fatigue. Test-taking, which requires sustained attention, can be severely impaired leading to low scores due to poor memory, comprehension and accuracy.
Our specially trained educators and therapists are able to provide assessments that target problems accurately and determine individualized, cost-effective interventions that provide immediate improvements and results, evident during one to two testing sessions.
Over 35 years of international medical and educational research, as well as a network of practitioners in over 70 countries, proves that the Irlen Method works. Any school and work environment could have a specially trained Irlen Screener on staff by attending our 15-hour training (approved by the American OT Association, Maryland State Department of Education, and professional licensing boards.) This staff specialist could then provide support and intervention. Over 15% of all people have mild to severe Irlen Syndrome and over 70% of those with learning challenges, migraines or headaches and brain injuries.
An intervention that provides immediate results can save time, money and promote success where the potential failure could result in tragic results. Not only could addressing this issue improve reading and writing, but it can also reduce stress affecting your health and wellness, preventing illness and therefore decreasing absenteeism at school or work.
What are the most common symptoms of Irlen Syndrome that are discovered in the classroom?
Difficulty with reading and math
Difficulty focusing
Fatigue during visually intensive tasks like reading, driving or working at the computer.
Short attention span
Mistakes that would be avoidable
Poor grades, especially on tests
Struggling learning new skills
Handwriting problems
Light sensitivity
Headaches and migraines
Eyestrain
Muscular pain
Motor coordination problems
Difficulty in stairs and escalators
Difficulty driving especially at night or hazy days
What should you do if you or your child experience symptoms this school year?
Don’t ignore the symptoms!
Abilities OT & Irlen Diagnostic Center are experts in sensory stress and processing, Irlen Syndrome, and occupational therapy.
Irlen screenings and diagnostic testing provide painless, non-invasive and highly effective ways to determine what is causing the problems. They can recommend solutions by addressing the complexity of your unique situation and neurobiology and ensure that each treatment is complementary, maximizing effectiveness and saving money. This includes accommodations and Irlen Spectral Filters, an assistive technology that provides immediate relief when Irlen Syndrome is properly diagnosed. Once equipped with the proper treatment, you’ll notice improved performance and end years of mental, emotional and physical challenges contributing to lack of success.
Our services can be effective in one to two testing sessions by calling for a phone consultation and submitting our 4-page sensory symptom self-test by email or by taking the online self-tests for various issues including autism, dyslexia and headaches.
When you visit Abilities OT & Irlen Diagnostic Center, we can also assist in formulating an accommodation plan for school and work.
There are numerous biological and environmental stressors, like bright lighting, white paper, poor air quality and more that can negatively impact performance. Our experts can help with the best ideas to minimize stress and improve performance.
What Are the Dangers of Fluorescent Lighting?
Migraine headaches
Damage to your eyes and UV-related eye and health diseases,
Visual stress from fluorescent bulbs
Mercury exposure if a bulb is accidentally broken
Eye strain and fatigue
What Are the Benefits of Natural Lighting?
Increases your vitamin D levels
Prevent seasonal depression
Improve sleep
It can lower the risk of nearsightedness and farsightedness in children and young adults
Increases serotonin levels
Is positively correlated with better test scores and academic performance
Decrease stress and improved cognitive performance
Who Can Benefit from Irlen Filters for Reading, Math and Playing Music?
When you accurately diagnosed spectral filters combination with or without RX glasses, they can help you both cognitively and emotionally. When you aren’t misreading things or struggling to make out text, it’s easier to concentrate, be accurate and pay attention for longer periods of time. You can improve your fine motor coordination for things like playing instruments when you are relaxed.
Irlen filters have been proven to help professionals help their patients or students.
Music teachers
Math teachers
Tutors and reading specialists
Occupational therapists
Speech therapists
Psychologists
Computer users (at work or at home)
People who spend a lot of time on electronic devices
Actors
Musicians
Children learning emerging skills
Adults experiencing panic attacks, depression or anxiety
