What is Irlen Syndrome?
Irlen syndrome is a visual perceptual dysfunction affecting primarily reading and writing-based subjects.
Irlen Syndrome is impacted by glare, luminance, and wavelength and black/white contrast. MRI scans of visual information processing show that individuals diagnosed with Irlen Syndrome have a fundamentally abnormal pattern of information processing in which stationary stimuli such as text can cause abnormal activation in brain regions involved in the processing of visual motion.
Specifically Irlen Syndrome is:
| genetic |
Independent research shows that 80% sufferers will have a one or both parents with a similar difficulty. Irlen Syndrome affects males and females equally unlike dyslexia, which is thought to be more prevalent in boys. The problem is not related to IQ and exists at all ability and age levels. |
| varied |
Symptoms can immediately or gradually become worse. This means that Irlen syndrome can stop someone learning to read or just unable to continue reading after just a few minutes. |
| made worse by the environment |
Modern life is visually intensive. The pressure to work under artificial lighting, with VDU, whiteboards, power points, glossy paper can make symptoms significantly worse. Reading for study can be quite different to reading for pleasure and the need for comprehension; with books and handouts of different print size, style and format brings problems. Each person adopts to symptoms in their own way -in extreme cases a person might avoiding reading, for others, it might be accepting a level of strain and discomfort that becomes normal. |
|
a treatment based on each client's need |
The Irlen method is not a test, it is a process and begins as the client shares their experience with James. Both then work together to solve the problem. |
| Instant |
Irlen lenses and overlays work immediately. This is confirmed both by client experience and brain scans which identify what has changed when sensitivity to light is reduced. There is no need for exercises or practice to try and ‘train away’ the symptoms. |
| your child is not lazy |
Many children with Irlen Syndrome are thought to lack motivation and are frequently told to work harder. In fact the opposite is true, the brain is in overdrive , the child making extreme effort to try and cope with the symptoms. |
When incidence data has been collected on this type of processing disorder, it consistently appears as one piece of the puzzle for 46% of those identified with reading problems, dyslexia, attention deficit disorder, or learning difficulties. It may be the only cause, or a contributing factor in the learning profile.
Irlen Syndrome is disability S100909/02 according to the The Equality Act 2010. Students at degree level with DSA funding qualify for provision and should contact their Student Support and Advisory Service for more information.
Opticians and organisations other than Irlen Clinics have no connection with Helen Irlen or the Irlen Institute and do not use the Irlen Method. Find out more about the differences between Irlen and other treatment methods to ensure you understand why Irlen might be of greater benefit to you. You can also view a list of typical symptoms that someone with Irlen Syndrome might suffer.
Want more information about Irlen? Read the Facts about Irlen. Or for an improved understanding of Irlen Syndrome read: Toward an Authentic Diagnostic Impression: Using Clinical Composites and Functional Brain Imaging For An Improvided Understanding of Irlen Syndrome by Robert Dobrin.
Case Study:
Amanda
University student Amanda recently saw James for a full Irlen lens evaluation. She did not feel her Cerium lenses were producing any benefit and had little confidence in the Cerium examination process.
Contact James
Contact James with any questions you may have or for an informal chat about Irlen. You can contact him on:
t: 01536 761597
e: billettjames@hotmail.com
Online enquiry form
Downloads
Toward an authentic diagnostic impression - Robert Dobrin
Further Information
Further information about Irlen Syndrome can be found at www.irlen.com
Please note that opticians and organisations other than Irlen Clinics have no connection with Helen Irlen, or the Irlen Institute and do not use the Irlen method.
