Often reading, math and handwriting problems, also known as dyslexia, dyscalculia, and dysgraphia, are found in children and adults with ADD/HD, or other learning disorders. Common interventions include medications to improve concentration and sustained attention, as well as tutoring, speech, occupational and vision therapy, nutritional supplements and diet, and psychological counseling.
However, if they’re still struggling and making painfully slow progress, then Irlen Syndrome, a sensory processing disorder, may be a major cause of the problems. Irlen Method may provide immediate, long-term, profound improvements and you know in one testing session whether you can be helped.
Stop the Guesswork!
An Irlen Screening by a specially trained professional will immediately determine whether Irlen Syndrome, also known as light or scotopic sensitivity, is one major cause of learning and attention challenges. Fatigue, anxiety, frustration and low self esteem may also result when Irlen syndrome remains misdiagnosed or undiagnosed. These problems can follow the child into adulthood. Accommodations can provide improvement in testing scores, working productivity and classwork, but the struggle and feelings of being overworked will remain. The exhaustion from prolonged stress can impact sleep quality and health as well as contribute to chronic migraines, headaches and eye strain. This unnecessary, vicious cycle of mysterious challenges, if addressed, can provide immediate relief and improve quality of life, academic or work performance, and the confidence needed for success and well-being.
Why are Tutoring and Other Therapies only Minimally Effective for Some Learning and Attention Problems?
The Major Underlying Issue Often Misdiagnosed
If a student or adult has Irlen Syndrome, fluency, accuracy and sustained attention are impacted, which affects math, reading and writing. As a result, students will typically skip over words or entire lines of text, and either must re-read multiple times or suffer from poor comprehension. A student may also have a hard time concentrating on graphic images due to mild or severe visual distortions, convergence insufficiency, or accommodative stress may cause graphic images to look blurry, too bright, sparkly, or change shape, making it harder to read and write.
When Tutoring, OT, Educational Counseling, Glasses, and Vision Therapy Are Not Helping Enough: Costing Time and Money with Minimal Results
A 1-2 hour Irlen Screening, colored overlays and specific accommodations will provide an accurate diagnosis and immediate benefits. An additional Irlen Diagnostic Testing Session (2-4 hours) determines whether Irlen Spectral Filters will improve function and decrease stress. Glasses or contact lenses are made at Irlen Optical Lab using a patented process: tinting no RX PLANO or RX lenses with layers of colors to filter adverse effects light frequencies and calming the brain and body by relieving sensory overload and stress. The long-term benefits seem almost unbelievable until they are experienced. Yearly exams will maintain accuracy and ensure benefits continue. Each person’s filters are unique and cannot be worn by another person to get similar results. When looking through Irlen tinted lenses, no matter their color or tint, white is white, colors appear accurate, and darkness is not perceived so they can be worn at night. These lenses allow eyes, minds, and bodies to relax, while vision is clear and sharp.
What Reading Problems Do Those With Irlen Syndrome Experience?
- Problems and discomfort reading on white paper, especially when the type is black or there is high contrast images
- Difficulty reading print, numbers and music notes due to perceived shifting, shaking, blurring, moving or disappearing print
- Overwhelmed by lots of text with fewer pictures or visual cues
- Misreading words
- Skipping words, lines or paragraphs
- Avoidance of reading or math
- Slow reading pace
- Difficulty concentrating and paying attention
- Eye strain and fatigue
- Limited periferal vision
- Gets tired and works too hard to complete assignments, or the effort put into assignments doesn’t correlate with the grade received or capability
- Light sensitivity and bothered by multiple environmental stressors such as background noises, patterns, clutter or fluorescent lighting, flashing signage, etc.
- Poor handwriting legibility, speed, endurance, and difficulty copying
The Most Common Myths About Irlen Syndrome and School Performance
- If you spend time reading with your child while they are young, they will not have reading problems, learning difficulties or Irlen Syndrome
- Memorization, eye exercises and reading or math tutoring will always improve skills and cure irlen syndrome
- Learning phonics will prevent reading difficulties
- An eye exam can determine whether irlen syndrome is present or not
- Educational testing will determine if irlen syndrome is a factor and how to address it
- Good grades mean a person has no learning challenges or stress
How Does The Irlen Method Help?
Spectral Filters are very different from sunglasses or standard optical tinted lenses, so the benefits cannot be duplicated by opticians and standard optical tints. Professionals may misdiagnose Irlen Syndrome or it may go undiagnosed completely. Specialized training is required to know how to accurately diagnose this condition. Some people who have moderate to severe light sensitivity may need to wear tints all the time, while others wear them just under special circumstances, like functioning under artificial lighting, driving at night, reading, or when working at the computer.
People who experience chronic migraines and headaches, depression and severe anxiety may be able to avoid prescription medications or more expensive and time consuming interventions. (As determined by your physician. Benefits can be seen in an QEEG or SPECT Brain Scan.)
Contact Us Today
To learn more about our accessibility consultations and injury prevention services, call us today at (410) 358-7269. To get started at home, complete a pre-assessment for Sensory Processing Disorder, schedule a free phone consultation, and learn more about the Irlen screening process, Irlen diagnostic testing, Irlen re-tint testing, and who we help.
