What is Irlen Syndrome?

Irlen Syndrome, also known as Scotopic Sensistivity, is a perceptual problem that keeps many people from reading effectively, efficiently, or not at all.  Until now, it has baffled educators and medical scientists because it is undetected by standard visual, educational and medical exams.

Individuals with Irlen Syndrome perceive the printed page differently and must constantly adapt to distortions from print or the background.  They may suffer from slow or inefficient reading, poor comprehension, strain or fatigue.  It can affect attention span, energy level, motivation, handwriting, and depth perception.  Irlen Syndrome sufferers may be seen as underachievers with behavior, attitude, or motivation problems.  It is a complex and variable condition sometimes found to co-exist with learning disabilities.

The Irlen Method as a Treatment

Irlen Syndrome was first identified by Educational Psychologist, Helen Irlen, while she was working with adult learners in California in the early 1980’s.  She observed that some of her students read more easily when they covered a page of print with a colored overlay.  The patented treatment method uses specially formulated colored pages of plastic (known as overlays) to reduce or eliminate perception difficulties.

Ms. Irlen documented years of observations in a book , Reading By the Colors, published by Perigee, division of Penguin Putnam Publishing in 1991.

Her discovery stimulated the interest of many educational and medical researchers, who continued to further research this phenomenon.  While exact causes are not fully understood, it appears that the color facilitates processing by altering the timing of visual inputs to the brain.

Presently, medical research is being conducted at various universities worldwide.  Irlen’s method of treating this syndrome is now used to help more than 80,000 people in 36 countries.

Where can I find help?

In the United States and worldwide, there are many certified Irlen Screeners and Irlen Diagnosticians.  These individuals are dedicated professionals who share many years of experience in both elementary and secondary schools.

Listed below are many of the symptoms associated with Irlen Syndrome.  If you, or someone you know, suffers from any of these symptoms or simply has unexplained reading problems, you may want to contact an Irlen Screener or Diagnostician.

What Are The Symptoms?

LIGHT

Bothered by glare, fluorescent lights, overheads, white boards, or computer screens.  Discomfort or difficulty concentrating or working under bright lights or fluorescent lights.

 WHITE PAPER

Difficulty reading on high gloss white paper.  The paper may be too bright.  The white may glare, breathe, encroach into the black, and interfere with the ease of writing.

PRINT

Difficulty reading print, numbers, or musical notes because the print changes.  Problems may include print that shifts, shakes, blurs, moves, or doubles.

SPAN OF RECOGNITION

Inability to read groups of letters, numbers, or words at the same time. This results in problems tracking, correctly identifying words, or the ability to skim and speed read.

ATTENTION & CONCENTRATION

Problems with concentration while reading or writing.  May have difficulty staying on task, takes frequent breaks, becomes restless, fidgety, or tired.

POOR DEPTH PERCEPTION

Inability to accurately judge distance and spatial relationships. An individual may have difficulty with escalators, stairs, ball sports, or driving.

Treatment:

Individuals are first tested to determine if this method is helpful, then the most beneficial Irlen colored overlay or combination of overlays are selected.  For those who benefit from the use of Irlen colored overlays, a second testing may be scheduled by the family.  At this session a patented Irlen Treatment Method uses precision tinted filters, worn as glasses, to treat the individuals’ difficulties.  This diagnostic assessment determines the beneficial filter color from an almost limitless number of combinations.

© 1987 Helen L. Irlen

Riverside has a Certified Irlen Screener on staff.  If you would like to have your son/daughter screened, please contact Denise Young at 712-482-6464.