How Does The Irlen Method Help Correct
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About half of the individuals with autism experience perceptual distortions.
They are unable to visually perceive their world accurately because of extreme sensitivity to colors, patterns, lights, glare, and contrast.
This condition is often referred to as the Irlen Syndrome or Scotopic Sensitivity Syndrome.
Actually, about 10% of the general population also has a visual perceptual processing disorder.
Many of these individuals are completely unaware that they even have a visual problem.
However, these perceptual distortions may interfere with reading, computer work, sports, driving, and other visual activities.
These individuals will see the printed page differently from others. The words may look like they are falling off the page or are blurred or are moving around.
In addition, your child may demonstrate various behavioral problems as a result of these visual disturbances. These behaviors may include hyperactivity, stimming , incoordination, eye contact avoidance, and clumsiness.
They may also develop physical symptoms, such as fatigue, headaches, and dizziness.
You may develop certain coping mechanisms to better manage inaccurate perceptual processing. For example, you may avoid reading and take frequent breaks. You may wear sunglasses and avoid fluorescent lights. You may also avoid sports.
Simply, the Irlen Method uses color to eliminate these perceptual distortions.
First, you are tested to find out which wavelength of light is causing your sensitivity.
Then, the associated color is used as an Irlen colored filter, Irlen colored overlays , and Irlen lenses.
When you use these products, the wavelength of light that is causing your difficulties is effectively blocked and your symptoms are improved.
The testing is non-invasive and does not require any verbal abilities. Instead, behavior is monitored as various colored lenses are applied.
Your color preferences may change periodically due to illness, hormonal changes associated with puberty and menopause, trauma, medications, or visual acuity.
Irlen clinics and specialists are located worldwide. The initial testing is performed in one session. And follow-up visits are recommended yearly.
Improvements in the following areas have been noted by parents of children using the Irlen Method.
- Gross motor skills
- Fine motor skills
- Coordination
- Body awareness
- Behavior
- Concentration
- Eye contact
- Social skills
- Communication skills
I highly recommend that you use the free and simple Eye-Q Reading Inventory to further assess yourself and your own child for vision problems which can be treated with vision therapy and the Irlen Method. Both of my children with Asperger’s Syndrome and PDD-NOS scored rather low on these screening tests. However, my neurotypical daughter with sensory integration dysfunction scored rather high on these screening tests.
While we are waiting for a more formal evaluation for her at an Irlen clinic, I purchased various Colored Overlays. She had a definite preference for the orange overlay. She finds that she can read much better when she uses this orange overlay in a dim light.
Personally, I believe that everyone should be screened for visual perceptual distortions.
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