Jo,
My son and I have Irlen syndrome and wear Irlen lenses.
My husband, a speech pathologist (speech therapist), and I are Irlen
screeners (screeners don't do lenses).
Below is an example of a letter we sent to a school system, asking for
accommodations for a student.
In the U.S., students get accommodations either through an IEP
(individualized education plan--from Public Law 94-142) or a 504 plan from a
rehab law.
I assume you are from elsewhere. :)
I suggest you ask your practitioner to help you approach the school system
by writing a letter such as this or even calling a key person in the school
system.
It's important to remember that this is all new to many school personnel and
many here in the U.S. were taught that color does not work.
Letter:

RE: Accommodations needed for T; Irlen Syndrome, a visual-perceptual
problem



T. was evaluated October 9, and was found to have symptoms consistent with
Irlen Syndrome. His mother, J, reported that he had a vision exam recently
and his visual acuity is normal. Accommodations that would be useful for T
are listed on Page 2.



Irlen Syndrome is a visual perceptual problem that involves sensitivity to
aspects of light such as brightness or glare on a white page of
print/figures. Symptoms may include: light sensitivity, inefficient reading,
blurred or distorted print, slow reading rate, reduced span of recognition
(letters seen clearly at one time), attention problems and physical
complaints such as headaches, eyestrain or fatigue from reading. Irlen
Syndrome is not a vision problem; it is a visual perceptual problem. All
sufferers do not have all symptoms. Some traits can cause students to be
misdiagnosed as "dyslexic" or ADD/ADHD. Irlen Syndrome is the only cause of
reading difficulties for some persons. For other persons, it is only one
piece of the puzzle. However, treating this syndrome can then allow other
problems to be addressed more effectively.



Treatment for Irlen Syndrome includes: modifying the light, using colored
paper, using individually tailored colored overlays over reading material
and/or wearing tinted Irlen "filters" (as eyeglasses lenses or contacts) to
filter the light for all visual tasks.



Irlen Syndrome, formerly called Scotopic Sensitivity Syndrome (SSS), is not
well known in Minnesota. However, many schools systems in the U.S.,
Australia, the United Kingdom and elsewhere screen students for Irlen
Syndrome and provide overlays and other accommodations. There are certified
Irlen screeners in some Twin Cities schools. The accommodations listed below
are being made in those schools and in some District 742 (St. Cloud) schools
and other schools in this region.



T has the following symptoms, which may indicate Irlen Syndrome:

a.. sensitivity to light on a white page of print or figures;
b.. sensitivity to light in the environment;
c.. print distortions;
d.. fatigue, eyestrain and headaches from reading;
e.. fidgety behavior when reading;
f.. intense dislike of reading despite ability to read. (This may indicate
physical discomfort when reading.)










Evans Consulting -, October 2005 - p. 2



The following accommodations are recommended for T:



a.. Colored Irlen overlays to place over reading material. T reads
noticeably better and is more comfortable reading with blue overlays, his
mother reports after one week; this confirms what was found during the
testing.
b.. Frequent visual breaks when reading, especially if not using an
overlay. (Note how long before his reading ability deteriorates or he
becomes fidgety.)
c.. Marker or ruler below the line he is reading (not a white marker, a
blue one).
d.. Blue colored paper for writing and math (Lines can be copied onto
colored paper, or blue legal paper from Office Max can be used.) White grid
paper can be stressful for someone with light sensitivity. If blue paper is
not available, even off-white or tan paper is better than white.
e.. Assignments and tests copied onto colored paper when overlays cannot
be used.
f.. Visor or hat for reading class (and in other classes as desired by
student) to shade eyes from light. Students with Irlen Syndrome are allowed
to wear hats or visors with or without an IEP or 504 plan in many schools.
Students who are self conscious about hats can be allowed to shade their
eyes with their hand or arm when reading. Some students lean over their
paper or book to shade it. (Our own son wears a baseball cap with a dark
bill and does not have an IEP or 504.)
g.. Bookstand or book read at angle. (Fluorescent light on a flat book
creates quite a glare.)
h.. For academic testing-ruler or marker for scantron answer sheets;
overlay(s) for reading material on tests. Answer sheets can also be copied
onto colored paper.
i.. Indirect natural light or incandescent light when possible.
Fluorescent lighting typically makes symptoms worse for persons with this
syndrome. A seat by the window in INDIRECT natural light may be helpful.
Most classrooms are quite over lit with fluorescent light and many children
and adults would benefit from less light and less harsh light.


Please note that overlay colors can change due to health changes,
medication, puberty, etc. Re-evaluation is free.



Irlen Syndrome and its treatment have been the subjects of many
peer-reviewed research journal articles. See the Irlen Institute web site at
www.irlen.com or our web site at www.ReadingAndLight.com for more
information. Our web site has a substantial amount of information about
research under our research section and books section. The Light Barrier, by
Rhonda Stone, the mother of two children with Irlen Syndrome (St. Martin's
Press, 2002), and Helen Irlen's book are recommended reading. Please contact
us if you need more information at 251-7493. Thank you.



Sincerely,



Julie M. Evans, M.Ag. Jeffrey J. Evans, M.S.,
CCC-SLP