Reading problems

 The Irlen Method corrects reading problems that are a result of a processing problem called Irlen Syndrome, and not a vision problem. This type of reading problem is result of the brain’s inability to accurately understand and process visual information.
Reading difficulties related to Irlen Syndrome cannot be explained by phonetic deficits or by a weak sight vocabulary. Problems most often occur under conditions of bright lighting, fluorescent lighting, black/white contrast, and continued performance. For individuals with Irlen Syndrome print may not be clear, stable or comfortable. As a result, reading can be slow and inefficient leading to skipping of words or lines, rereading, or poor comprehension. 

As many as half of the children and adults with perceptual processing problems are misdiagnosed with dyslexia. These individuals can be helped by the Irlen Method.

There are as many reasons for dyslexia and inability to read as there are different types of headaches. Often, a diagnosis of dyslexia assumes that children have difficulty with phonics. But when words jiggle, move, or disappear or when letters look like ants moving across the page, reading is so difficult that these children are labeled “dyslexic.” For these children and adults, the Irlen Method can help.

If you think your headaches and migraines are caused by stress, the Irlen Method may be able to help as environmental factors, like light, can trigger stress. The Irlen Method eliminates the environmental factors that may be triggering your stress and causing your headaches and migraines. Stress headaches and headaches without medical cause may be related to light sensitivity and visually-intensive activities which are eliminated with Irlen Spectral Filters

Photophobia, or light sensitivity, is an intolerance of light. Sunlight, fluorescent lights, bright light, glare, and even headlights and lights at night can be bothersome; and discomfort may be reduced with Irlen Spectral Filters.

There are a variety of symptoms that can be caused by sensitivity to light including eye strain, fatigue, sleepiness, nausea, dizziness, anxiety, irritability, and discomfort. Lights may also be a trigger for headaches and migraines. Sometimes photophobia/light sensitivity is a symptom of a head injury (TBI), concussion, or whip lash or the result of underlying medical problems. These symptoms can also be eliminated by the Irlen Method.

The problem seems to be an inability for the brain to adjust to various levels of brightness. It is as if the brain was a radio and the volume control was broken so that it could not make adjustments to control loudness.

Just because your child seems inattentive, rushes through activities, makes careless errors, daydreams, or seems unmotivated doesn’t necessarily mean ADD/HD is to blame.

Does your child avoid doing homework? Give up easily? Rush through assignments? All of these are coping strategies children use to deal with academic difficulties which may be the result of Irlen Syndrome, not attention deficit disorder. Telling a child to pay more attention or keep trying may not be helpful. This may only contribute to your child feeling dumb, stupid, or bad.

Seventy percent of the information an individual receives enters through the eyes and must be correctly interpreted by the brain. Any problem in the way the brain processes visual information can cause difficulties in the general ability to function. Sensory overload causes problems processing, interpreting, and interacting with the environment. The Irlen Method helps individuals with Autism and Asperger Syndrome who have perceptual problems, light sensitivity, and sensory overload by filtering the frequencies of light to which the individual is sensitive. This allows the brain to process visual information normally.

Read articles about Autism and the Irlen Method >>

As many as one third of people diagnosed with attention deficit disorder may suffer from Irlen Syndrome. Irlen Spectral Filters will eliminate attention problems for this group. The Irlen Method is noninvasive and does not require the use of medication. In some cases, individuals wear Irlen Spectral Filters in addition to taking medication but may need less medication to stay focused and attentive.