Overcoming reading and learning difficulties through the Irlen Method

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Information on Irlen Syndrome

[Irlen is pronounced Er-lynn]

• Warning Signs
• Misconceptions
• Irlen Method
• Self Questionnaire

 
 
 
 

Behaviors and Characteristics Associated with Irlen Syndrome

Warning Signs.
Do you or your child?

• Avoid reading? Avoid reading aloud?
• Dislike reading, prefer reading under a dim light?
• Have difficulty with comprehension?
• Do words seem to jiggle or move?
• When reading, skip words or reread words and lines?
• Become easily distracted?
• Read word by word without real fluency?
• Misread words?
• Does your child say they hate school and begs not to go anymore?
• The print seems to move or even disappear?
• Often get headaches and or sore eyes when reading?
• The page seems too bright or glary?
• The print will become blurry or seems to run off the page?
• Get stomachaches and/or feel dizzy?
• Do you shade the page while reading?
• Use a finger or a marker to keep your place?
• Become restless and lose your concentration?
• Become very sleepy, almost too hard to keep your eyes open?
• Do you have inconsistent spelling of the same word?
• Do you have trouble remembering what you read?
• Have you or your child been told that they have ADHD or have a learning disability?
• Been called lazy, or doesn't work hard enough, or doesn't work to his/her potential?

© 1998-2006 by Perceptual Development Corp/Helen Irlen. All rights reserved. Irlen Institute.

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29 Misconceptions about Seeing and Reading

1. We all see things the same way.
2. We all see words in groups or phrases.
3. The print is more dominant than the background.
4. The print is still and never moves.
5. The printed letters are evenly shaded black.
6. Black print on white paper gives the best contrast for reading.
7. White background always looks white.
8. When we see letters, we see all parts of the letters clearly.
9. Letters and words always have spaces between them.
10. Various lighting conditions do not affect how you read and how you feel.
11. Reading in dim light will ruin your eyes.
12. All people can read for at least an hour without a break.
13. Reading is pleasurable and relaxing.
14. If you know phonics, then you can read.
15. Dyslexia is really an emotional problem.
16. People who are poor readers just need to learn the skills that good readers use.
17. People who can't read or don't read, don't try.
18. Fidgeting and short attention span are due to lack of motivation.
19. Daydreaming, sleeping, and general lack of attention are due to poor motivation.
20. Frequent headaches or stomachaches are the result of emotional stress.
21. Either you have normal eyesight or you need glasses.
22. If you wear glasses, nothing else could be wrong with your ability to see the words.
23. Sandy, scratchy, red, watery, itchy, and burning eye symptoms while reading are due to allergies.
24. Reading across the page is as easy as reading a column.
25. Careless errors in reading are due to a lack of effort, attention or practice.
26. Everyone can learn to skim after they learn to read.
27. Everyone can learn to speed read.
28. Everyone likes working or reading under fluorescent lights.
29. Eye strain is related only to the need for corrective lenses.

© 1998-2006 by Perceptual Development Corp/Helen Irlen. All rights reserved. Irlen Institute.

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Irlen Method

Irlen Syndrome

Irlen Syndrome is a perceptual problem that can affect achievement, learning, and performance for struggling readers. For good readers, it can limit the time an individual can read with comfort and comprehension. Irlen Syndrome is not detected by standard educational, visual or medical tests.

Affected Individuals

Individuals may have slow and inefficient reading, strain, fatigue, or poor reading comprehension. Writing, copying, math computation, and/or computer use can be affected. Those with Irlen Syndrome often do not make significant progress from instruction and remediation.

Misperceptions

Approximately 46% of individuals with reading problems, ADD/HD, dyslexia, or various learning disabilities may suffer from Irlen Syndrome. Individuals may be viewed as underachievers with behavioral, attitudinal, or motivational problems. Individuals may appear bright but seem as “not trying hard enough.”

The Irlen Method does not replace the need for instruction or remediation but removes a barrier to learning.

Symptoms

Light Sensitivity

Bothered by fluorescent lights, glare, bright lights, sunlight, or night driving.

Poor Achievement

Poor progress in reading, grades do not reflect effort and knowledge, test scores lower than expected, avoids reading, or does not read for pleasure.

Reading Difficulties

Problems with clarity or stability of print or background can affect reading of words, numbers, or musical notes. Poor speed, accuracy, comprehension, and enjoyment.

Poor Attention & Concentration

Easily distracted and have problems starting tasks, staying on task, and may become restless, fidgety, or anxious.

Discomfort or Fatigue

Feeling strain, tired, or sleepy when reading and with other perceptual activities.

Headaches and Physical Symptoms

Headaches, stomachaches, or migraines, which do not have a medical cause, from reading, homework, or other perceptual activities.

Poor Depth Perception

Inability to accurately judge distance or spatial relationships. Difficulty with escalators, stairs, ball sports or driving.

Solution

Patented Technique

The Irlen Method is a patented technique which uses colored overlays and precision tinted filters, worn as glasses, to reduce or eliminate perceptual difficulties and light sensitivity. An intensive diagnostic assessment is necessary to determine the most beneficial filter color from an almost limitless number of color combinations.

Research and Testing

Since 1983, research has shown that the correct color improves reading rate, accuracy and comprehension. The correct color filters out offending wavelengths of light and allows the brain to accurately receive and process visual information. The Irlen Method has helped hundreds of thousands of people worldwide.

Results

• Better comprehension
• Increased reading speed
• Improved accuracy
• Reduced strain and fatigue
• Improved motivation
• Improved self-esteem
• Improved academic performance

Periodic re-evaluations, remediation or other interventions may be necessary to correct coexisting learning difficulties.

© 1998-2006 by Perceptual Development Corp/Helen Irlen. All rights reserved. Irlen Institute.

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Self Questionnaire

The Irlen Institute has a self questionnaire on their web site.

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