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SYNDROME/SCOTOPIC SENSITIVITY
MOST FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS*
What happens when I come for testing?
The assessment process is separated into two testing sessions.
The first session is called the Screening. You will do various
perceptual tasks with a certified Irlen Diagnostician to determine
if you have the Irlen Syndrome. The testing creates an awareness
of exactly what types of distortions you are experiencing when
reading, educates as to what a page should be like, and finally,
determines if you symptoms are slight, moderate or severe. At
this first session we also check your sensitivity to light, depth
perception and whether you experience environmental distortions.
We determine which colored overlay (plastic sheet) which will
provide the greatest benefit for reading. You will be given this
overlay to take home with you so you can read with it. You will
be able to determine whether one or more of the following areas
improve when you read using you Irlen colored overlay:
reading rate
Flow and fluency
comfort
Tracking
comprehension
Sight Vocabulary
sustained attention
Ability to skim or speed read
error rate
If you find that using your Irlen colored overlays has made a
significant improvement in your reading, you can return for the
Tinting Assessment where you look through different filters (lenses)
till we find which tint combination eliminates your distortions.
The colour you will wear as lenses is usually quite different
from the most helpful overlay colour. The overlay makes the page
look coloured. With the Irlen lenses, the page will still look
white but it will be a comfortable white. This means the Irlen
lenses will not change the colour of what you are looking at.
How common is Irlen Syndrome?
Around 50% of children and adults with reading problems have Irlen
Syndrome. For some, Irlen Syndrome will be just part of the puzzle
as they will have other reading/learning problems that need to
be addressed, too. Irlen Filters will make the print clear and
easy to see the page comfortably. This is not a method of reading
instruction or remediation but wearing Irlen Lenses may make it
easier to benefit from reading instruction and utilize these reading
skills with ease and comfort and to be able to read for long periods
at a time.
Can Good Readers have SSS?
About 12 - 14% of the general population, good readers and even
gifted students can have Irlen Syndrome. For these individuals,
using Irlen colored overlays may allow them to read longer without
having to take breaks, read without experiencing strain, fatigue,
or even getting headaches. For others, they may find that they
have to do less rereading for comprehension or that they are no
longer losing their place on the page.
If I have ADD or ADHD can I be helped with
colored filters?
About 33% of those individuals with attention problems may find
that the cause of their problems is struggling to sit still, attend
and work under fluorescent lighting. Irlen Filters may be a drug-free
alternative.
Has there been research on Irlen Syndrome?
Yes, over 54 papers have been published in peer review journals;
long term studies show positive feedback from people who have
been wearing Irlen Filters for over 6 years. Just as many girls
as boys have Irlen Syndrome. One study of 751 children with Irlen
Syndrome found that 84% had at least one parent with Irlen Syndrome.
Can everyone with reading problems benefit
from Irlen Filters?
No. Only if they have Irlen Syndrome.
Problems related to language differences, poor phonic
skills and a sight vocabulary can only be helped with appropriate
reading instruction. Occasionally we find people who have symptoms
but none of the Filters help. In this case, the person is usually
able to get some help by reading in dimmer light and using a plastic
overlay. A few people will need to wear Irlen Filters AND use
a plastic overlay.
Why do I need to have my vision checked before Irlen testing?
Visual problems should be corrected before screening for Irlen
Syndrome since color cannot correct visually problems nor does
it replace the need for glasses.
What causes Irlen Syndrome?
Medical research shows that these perception problems appear to
be caused by a defect in one of the visual pathways that carry
messages from the eye to the brain. This defect causes a timing
fault in processing visual information. Filtering out specific
wavelengths of light helps the pathway to function normally.
Would coloured sunglasses or tinted lenses
from an optometrist help?
No. What makes Irlen Filters work is the careful identification
of the person's symptoms and the selection of a tint that gets
rid of these symptoms. Only a certified Irlen specialist can carry
out this process.
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