Adult dyslexics with Irlen Syndrome often go undiagnosed. This condition is very much related to dyslexia since, they both have a number of similar symptoms. Additionally, a lot of dyslexics have this syndrome, along with having dyslexia itself. Dyslexia can be a great source of embarrassment which can result in low self esteem to the sufferer, many sufferers will have developed fairly successful strategies that hide their disability to read or write right into adulthood. Often children with dyslexia will be described as slow learners, they will often develop problematic behavior problems throughout their lifetime.
From research and testing, it has been found that a variety of problems can result from seeing a distorted page of words, numbers, and musical notes. It can actually affect reading, spelling and writing. Also, there are times that math, copying skills, driving, sports performance, music reading, ability to work on a computer, and being comfortable under fluorescent lights are also affected.
What is Irlen Syndrome?
Irlen syndrome was first identified by Helen Irlen, an Educational Psychologist in the 1980′s whilst working in California she observed that a number of her students were able to read with far more ease every time they used a colored overlay to cover the printed page they are reading. People with Irlen syndrome perceive the printed page in a different way to those who have normal vision. It is not an optical problem but is a perceptual distortion processed by the brain (not the eye) where light and glare are mis-processed, If you have this, you are obliged to constantly adapt to the distortions you are seeing on the printed page. Your reading ability will become handicapped because of this. Additionally, you may exhibit poor comprehension, since you don’t really understand what you are reading. You can also suffer from fatigue, headaches and strain.
This also affects the sufferers attention-span, energy levels, motivation, handwriting, depth-perception, and most of all, their self-esteem. People who sufferers from this condition are sometimes labeled as underachievers and often develop behavioral problems, lack of motivational or attitudinal problems. This syndrome is considered to be a variable and complex condition that is often found co-existing with other learning-disabilities, such as dyslexia.
Symptoms of Irlen Syndrome
- Anything Glary such as fluorescent lighting, sunlight or car headlights are bothersome
- Discomfort or difficulty working in a brightly lit room
- Difficulty reading print, numbers or music, word will be blurred or merge together, they also may appear to move, have double vision or the words may even disappear altogether
- One of the most obvious symptoms of this syndrome is the effect on depth perception. Individuals with this syndrome are often clumsy and will often experience difficulty playing sports that involve catching balls. You may also have problems in judging distances.
- There may be difficulty to see groups of words or letters clearly at the same time, you may only see part of a word whilst others may be blurry
- There may be difficulty in reading black print on white paper or shiny objects
- Whilst concentrating on reading or wiring the sufferer may become restless and require frequent breaks. They can have some trouble copying words, unequal spacing between characters, uphill or downhill direction of writing, and inconsistent spelling of words
Treatment
If you are dyslexic and have this syndrome, you would have to undergo the patented treatment-method. Here you need to use specially formulated, colored overlays or colored lenses. You can wear these as glasses or even contact lenses. Once you use the lenses, a reduction or even elimination of perceptual-difficulties is experienced.
The program is specifically designed to fulfill the needs of those with learning difficulties, such as ADHD, autism, dyslexia, and other conditions that can interfere with efficient functioning within the classroom, workplace and socially.
In some instances when an individual with dyslexia undergo treatment, the intervention is not successful since there is an underlying presence of Irlen Syndrome. That is why getting an assessment for this condition is equally important when you have dyslexia.
| In this, her second book, Helen Irlen greatly expands our understanding of Irlen Syndrome, the condition that has been named in her honor by independent researchers. It is a must read for all those who work with children: teachers, parents, physicians, eye care professionals, and so on. Irlen Syndrome, a visual perception problem is brain based and triggered by sensitivity to a specific portion of the light spectrum | |
| Yale neuroscientist Shaywitz demystifies the roots of dyslexia (a neurologically based reading difficulty affecting one in five children) and offers parents and educators hope that children with reading problems can be helped. Shaywitz delves deeply into how dyslexia occurs, explaining that magnetic resonance imaging has helped scientists trace the disability to a weakness in the language system at the phonological level. | |
| Levinson’s use of patient testimonials and case studies to describe his breakthroughs in the treatment of dyslexia makes for a medical text that reads like a novel. He traces both his research on the connection between dyslexia and the inner ear and cerebellum and also the scientific community’s skepticism regarding his claims. Formerly a professor at New York University Medical School and currently director of the Medical Dyslexic Treatment Center, |
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