“Thank you for helping Sean understand his phonics rules. Your program gave him a good foundation to begin reading which he simply had not grasped in kindergarten.”
What is the Irlen Syndrome?
Irlen Syndrome, also known as Scotopic Sensitivity Syndrome or SSS, is a type of visual perceptual problem. It is not an optical problem. It is a problem with how the nervous system encodes and decodes visual information. Academic and work performance, behavior, attention, ability to sit still, and concentration can be affected. Individuals with this problem see the printed page differently, although they may not realize that they do. Having Irlen Syndrome keeps many people from reading effectively, efficiently, or even at all. Until now, it has baffled educators and medical scientists because it is undetected by standard visual, educational and medical tests.
Individuals with Irlen Syndrome see the printed page differently and must constantly adapt to distortions appearing on the printed page. They may be slow or inefficient readers, exhibit poor comprehension, suffer from strain, fatigue or headaches. It can affect their attention-span, energy-level, motivation, handwriting, depth-perception and, ultimately, self-esteem. Irlen syndrome sufferers may be labeled as underachievers with behavioural, attitudinal, or motivational problems. It is a complex and variable condition sometimes found to co-exist with other learning-disabilities.
What are the symptoms?
A variety of problems can result from seeing a distorted page of words, numbers or musical notes or perceiving your environment in a distorted fashion. It can affect reading, writing, spelling, math, copying, reading music, working on a computer, night driving, driving, sports performance, comfort under fluorescent lights, and other areas of a person’s life.
Light Sensitivity
- Bothered by glare, sunlight, headlights or streetlights
- Discomfort or difficulty concentrating or working under bright lights or fluorescent lights.
- Some individuals become tired, others experience headaches, mood change, fidgety or an inability to stay focused with bright or fluorescent lights.
Problems with white, high-gloss material
Some individuals find that they cannot read long or with good comprehension when material is on white paper. The white may glare or compete with the black print, making the letters less readable. The same problems can occur with numbers on math pages and musical pages.
Inefficient Reading
Those with SSS may have difficulty reading print, numbers, or musical notes. Problems may include print that shifts, shakes, blurs, moves, runs together, disappears, or becomes difficult to perceive.
Slow Reading Rate
Sufferers may have an inability to read groups of letters, numbers, or words at the same time. This results in problems tracking, slow reading rate, word-by-word reading, or an inability to skim and speed-read. Individuals often use their finger or a marker when reading.
Attention Deficit
Some may have p roblems in concentration while reading, writing, or working on the computer. Many
have difficulty staying on task, take frequent breaks, become restless, fidgety or tired.
Strain or Fatigue
Feeling strain, tension, tired, sleepy, or even getting headaches with reading and other perceptual activities can also be a symptom of SSS. Strain can interfere with the ease of reading, studying, or even listening.
Poor Depth Perception
Some individuals may demonstrate difficulty in judging distance and spatial relationships accurately. They may be unsure or have difficulty with such things as escalators, stairs, ball sports, or driving.
The Irlen Method of Treatment
Irlen Syndrome was first identified by Educational Psychologist Helen Irlen while she was working with adult learners in California in the early 1980s. She observed that some of her students read with greater ease when they covered a page of print with a colored overlay. The patented treatment-method uses specially formulated colored overlays or colored lenses worn as glasses or contact lenses to reduce or eliminate perception difficulties.
More information can be found at: http://www.irlen.com
Kenner Location
3901 Williams Blvd.
Suite 2
Kenner, LA 70065
Phone: 504.463.5756
Cell: 504.400.5756
Springfield Location
31330 Highway 22
Suite 102
Springfield, LA 70462
Phone: 985.687.1433
Cell: 504.400.5756