Irlen Screening Gravesend
Irlen Syndrome is a specific type of perceptual problem that affects the way the brain processes visual information. It is not an optical problem.
For those with Irlen Syndrome, the brain is unable to process full spectral light. This results in:
a range of distortions in the environment.
a range of distortions on the printed page.
physical and behavioural symptoms.
It is exacerbated by environmental factors such as lighting, brightness, glare, high contrast, patterns and colours. Irlen Syndrome affects people of all ages.
Irlen Syndrome has a wide range of symptoms which may vary from person to person. These symptoms may be first noticed in childhood but affect people throughout their lives. These symptoms are effectively dealt with by the use of coloured overlays and sometimes going on to Irlen® Filters, worn as glasses or contact lenses, following a thorough assessment and colour evaluation by a trained Irlen Diagnostician.
Studies have shown that 12-15% of the population are affected by Irlen Syndrome. However, it is largely undiagnosed because:
it is not an obvious problem.
it is not identified by standard visual and medical examinations or by educational and psychological assessments.
sufferers think that the perceptual distortions that they experience are "normal". They assume that everyone else perceives the page and the environment as they do and also experience the same physical discomfort.
The main symptoms of Irlen Syndrome are listed below.
AD(H)D
Attention and concentration
Behaviour
Brightness and glare
Depth perception and spatial awareness
Distortions of words
Distortions in the environment
Dyslexic type problems
Effects on reading
Effects on writing
Effects on music and maths
Headaches & migraines
Physical symptoms and discomfort
Poor motivation
Reading Problems
Sensitivity to certain colours and patterns
Sensitivity to light
Stress and work performance
Underachievement
Take a look here www.irlenuk.com where you can also take a test to see if you may have Irlen Syndrome. There is also lots more useful information there.