IRLEN SYNDROME

1. IRLEN SYNDROME Perceptual Strain and Stress

2. What is Irlen Syndrome? • A form of perceptual strain and stress • Sensitivity to certain frequencies of spectral light • A timing imbalance in the processing of the visual message • A genetic mid-brain dysfunction

4. Lateral Geniculate Nucleus • Two types of cells • Smaller cells- Parvo cells • Larger cells- Magno cells

5. Parvocellular system • Smaller cells • Carry out slower processes • Colour • Fine detail • High contrast • Stationary objects

6. Magnocellular System • Large cells • Fast movement • Low contrast • Depth perception and judgement • Locating objects in space • Peripheral vision

7. Irlen Syndrome • Occurs when there is a timing imbalance between the two systems • Often occurs with other difficulties • Difficulty processing visual information and translating it into written text • Average to well above average intelligence. • Good verbal skills

8. Prevalence • More than 12% of the population and as many as 20% may have Irlen Syndrome • 50% - 60% of all people with reading difficulties have Irlen Syndrome • 60% of these people will respond to the lenses and not need further treatment • 40% will need lenses and remediation programs • 50% - 70% of jail inmates have Irlen

9. Problems Occur When: • A perceptual overload occurs • The contrast is too great • White background overpowers the black print

10. Symptoms • Rapid fatigue when reading • Slow down after a few lines • Lose place • Skip words and lines • Re-read the same line • Print distortions • Narrow visual span • Reverse or transpose letters or words

11. Cameron H Age 8 years

12. Symptoms • Confuse little words eg. was/saw, on/no • Headaches / nausea - Reading - Computer screens - Outside glare • Poor depth perception • Judgement • Clumsiness • Poor ball skills

13. Kindergarten to Year Three • Compound words cause difficulty • Difficulty with phonemic awareness • Difficulty learning letter names and sounds • Difficulty decoding words • Problems with phonics • Reading hesitant and laboured • Relies on pictures and context clues

14. Year Four through High School • History of reading & spelling difficulties • Avoid reading aloud • Read most material slowly • Oral reading laboured, not fluent • Avoid reading for pleasure • Often weak vocabulary • Difficulties putting ideas on paper • Difficulty with proof reading • Difficulty with planning and organisation

15. Impact of Irlen Syndrome • Student feels dumb, stupid • Lack of success • Loss of confidence • Loss of self esteem • Inappropriate behaviour • Substance misuse • Reduced employment options • Crime

16. Amen Research • Daniel Amen MD – Psychiatrist, Medical Director of Amen Clinics Inc., Clinical Professor of Psychiatry and Human Behaviour at University of California • Screened Irlen patients for 10 years • Performed before and after scans of patients with Irlen Lenses • Brains found to be more balanced

17. Research • SPECT 3D scan of the brain of a person reading, who does not have Irlen Syndrome.

19. This is the SPECT Scan of the brain of a person with Irlen Syndrome while reading or under bright lighting. • Note the red areas of activity

21. This is the SPECT Scan of the brain of a person with Irlen Syndrome, reading with the correct Irlen lenses or under bright lighting conditions.

23. How to Help • Note the students exhibiting symptoms • Arrange for an Irlen screening • Dim areas of the class room • Use Smart Boards • Use a coloured overlay on overhead projector to modify white board or screen • Allow students to present work on light coloured paper • Supply handouts on coloured paper

24. How to Help continued • Allow caps/visors in class • Encourage water bottle on desks • Utilise latest computer software • Acknowledge small successes • Look for strengths to improve self image • Allow extra time for reading and writing • Do not ask students to read aloud in class • Provide alternative activities

25. Alternative Activities • Allow assignments to be presented on audio tape or power point • Use videos and audio tapes where possible • Allow mind mapping for presenting information • Provide copy of blackboard work • Provide alternative for silent reading time

26. Effective Reading Strategies • Students should be taught strategies to enhance comprehension – mind mapping, visualising, discussing stories. • Vocabulary should be taught • Word families, word building, decoding, meaning of words • Computer programs and audio books can improvevocabulary

27. Effective Strategies Vary the text size, word and line spacing to aid visual tracking Tutor or teacher should slow reading pace and pause at end of sentences for auditory processing deficits Give students smaller chunks of text to track through for reading fluency Mask portions of text to aid focussing

28. Remember Irlen Syndrome is not an intellectual disability. It is a ‘hidden learning difficulty’ These kids can learn well if taught the correct way and in the correct environment. They respond to patience, persistence and understanding.