Irlen Syndrome & Irlen MethodOverview & Case Study

Removing One layer from Multilayer

Challenges

Prepared by:Rasha AnwarCertified Irlen Screener

May 15, 2015

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IRLEN SYNDROME (IS)

(Scotopic Sensitivity Syndrome)

(also referred to at times as Meares-Irlen Syndrome, and Visual Stress)

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IS

• A perceptual dysfunction rather than a vision problem

• Can occur with someone who is wearing glasses or

even with someone who has prefect vision

• Not to be picked up by vision specialists

• Not to be picked up by standardized educational

medical, or psychological evaluations

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What Is A Perceptual Processing Difficulty?

• A hindered ability to make sense of

information taken in through the eyes

• Different from problems involving sight or

sharpness of vision

• Affect how visual information is

interpreted, or processed by the brain

© Irlen Institute 2014

Optical Illusion

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IS Discovery• Special help is not enough

• Learning problems are sometimes hidden

• The mislabeled child

• Experts didn’t have all the answers

• Looking for new answers

• Why working with adults to find new answers

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Irlen Discovery• Research based

• US Federal research grant

• Single study research design with 1,500 adults

• Conducted between 1980-1983 by Helen Irlen

• Helen Irlen presented at American

Psychological Association Conference (APA)

1983

© Irlen Institute 2014

Hereditary• Genetic predisposition,

runs in families

• Affects males and females equally

• Can also be acquired via injury, illness, medical procedures

Family of 10 wearing Irlen Spectral Filters

© Irlen Institute 2014

A Spectrum Disorder

Slight Severe

Symptoms Begin:

40-60 minutesSymptoms Begin:

0-20 minutes

Moderate

Symptoms Begin:

20-40 minutes

© Irlen Institute 2014

Five Components of IS

Light Sensitivity

Poor Print Resolution

Restricted Span Of Recognition

Lack Of Sustained Attention

Inadequate Background

Accommodation

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• Bothered by glare, fluorescent lights, bright lights, sunlight and sometimes lights at night.

• Feel as if they never have enough light to read comfortably.

• Sometimes never find the right position to read and keep changing positions

The white page may be glary or compete with the black print, making the letters less readable.

Parts of the letters might disappear (The White-out Effect)

Periods, commas, and the dots disappear

Background distortions make it a battle to read consistently

Colors can appear, lights can flash, and white can blink

Poor Print Resolution

• Letters, numbers, and symbols change

• Problems of print resolution depend on print

size, spacing, typeface, and the amount of

print on the page

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Print Size, Style and FormatFont and layout can make a difference

Font and layout can make a difference

Font and layout can make a difference

Font and layout can make a differenceFont and layout can make a

difference

Font and layout can make a difference

Font and layout can make a difference

Font and layout can make a difference© Irlen Institute 2014

Restricted Span Of Recognition

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• There is difficulty reading groups of letters,notes, numerals, or words at the same time

• Tunnel readers lack the capability to movefrom line to line, to copy, to proofread, toskim, or to speed read

Lack Of Sustained Attention

• It takes energy and effort to perceive and

process the words.

• The longer they read, the more difficult it

becomes.

• They find eventually they will be unable to

continue the task.

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Sustained Attention & Continued Performance

© Irlen Institute 2014

• Looking, Listening

• Reading, Math

• Writing, Copying

• Scantron Answer Sheets

• Computer, TV, Movies

• Other Visually-Intensive

Activities

Activities as Stressors

© Irlen Institute 2014

Impacts the Entire BodyHeadaches

Eye strain

Nausea

Tense neck, back, shouldersShallow, labored, quickened,

breathing

Fatigue

Abnormal brain function

• Autonomic NS imbalance

• Immune system suppressed

• Endocrine system imbalance

Small and gross motor integration

SYSTEMIC IMPACT

• Emotional, behavioral, psychological implications

• ADD/HD

• Depth perception & sensory integration

• Sleeping difficulties

• Visual fragmentation

SYSTEMIC IMPACT

© Irlen Institute 2014

The Mind-Body-Learning Connection

© Irlen Institute 2014

The Irlen Method

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3-D Movies

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• non-invasive technology• precision-tinted colored overlays and filters• uses advanced color spectrometer

technology• strict standards of color balancing designed

to produce the most effective color-correction tool.

• scientifically proven

Colored Overlays Colored Filters

Without Irlen Lenses With Irlen Lenses

Courtesy of Daniel Amen, M.D.

The Result: A Calmer Brain

© Irlen Institute 2014

1. Gifted and Average Students with Good Reading Skills2. Reading Problems, Dyslexia and Learning Difficulties3. Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD/HD)4. Headaches, Migraines and Other Physical Symptoms5. Light Sensitivity6. Autism and Asperger Syndrome7. Traumatic Brain Injuries, Head Injuries, Concussions and

Whiplash8. Psychological, Medical and Visual Problems

A CASE STUDY

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Pre-Adolescent: age 12

ADHD

Learning Difficulties

Low Self-esteem

Social Problems with Peers

ODD

Frustration at Sports

Dysthymia

High Average IQ

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Academic Challenges

Comorbid

SLD

Mild Dyslexia

Mild Dysgraphia

Mild Dyscalculia

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Multimodal Interventions

Behavioral Therapy

Medications

Primitive Reflexes

Vision Therapy

Remedial Tutoring

Diet free of sugar,

casein, & gluten

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Behavioral Therapy

• Counseling

• Individual sessions

• Group sessions

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Medications

• Strattera

• Risperdal

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Primitive Reflexes

• 18 months intervention period

• Weekly sessions with the therapist

• 15 minutes daily home exercises

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Vision Therapy

• A 3 month intervention period

• Weekly sessions with the vision therapist

• Daily tracking and convergence home

exercises

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Remedial Tutoring

• Math

• Language Art

• Arabic

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Diet free of sugar, casein, &

gluten

• 6 months diet control

• Supplements of pure vitamins, minerals, &

omega 3 & 6

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The Mystery of Struggling at school is still unsolved

Still in A Quest for A solution.

Still there is a need to unleash the learning abilities.

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Screening for IS

• It revealed severe reading difficulties and

discomfort symptoms

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Stated Print Distortions

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Stated Print Distortions

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The Color Solution

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The Colored Overlay

A temporary solution

Eliminated discomfort

Alleviated print distortions

Improved comprehension

Increased reading fluency

Allowed for sustained

effective reading

Improved tracking and

keeping place while reading

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The Tinted Filters

A permanent solution

Eliminated discomfort

Alleviated print & environment

distortions

Improved reading fluency &

comprehension

Improved writing

Improved copying

Eliminated depth perception

problems

Raised self esteem

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The Irlen Method

• Is not a cure for autism, dyslexia, ADHD, or other problems.

• Removes a layer called visual perceptual overload. As a result, the

individual is better able to function in specific areas which before were

problematic.

• But the child’s other difficulties will remain, and need to be addressed by

other interventions."

Helen Irlen

References

• www.irlen.com

• Reading by the Colors, Helen Irlen, July 2005

• The Irlen Revolution, Helen Irlen, 2010

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Thank You

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