Hello,
My son Sam, 9 years old, has just been diagnoised with Irlens. I
like many of he post I've read, knew something was wrong but couldn't
put my finger on it. He was called lazy by many teachers and has been
called an average student, that I need to accept the fact. This year
he has a wonderful teacher who actually took time to notice that he
couldn't read his book flat, it had to be at an angle. When I
questioned him he said it always had a glare.
We took him to have his vision checked, to have the Doctor to tell me
that he lied several times during the exam. She tested him again
about a month later with the same answers, she explained there was no
way possible he could see the way he was saying. She refused to even
consider a light sensitivity or perception problem, making he and I
both look vey stupid.
I came home and began to research light sensitivity and came across
Irlens. Everything on the site was Sam ! I began looking for a
screener, and came across a wonderful lady who after a screening let
us know that he did have Irlens and that she highly reccommeded being
tinted for lenses. The first time I heard him read with the overlays,
I couldn't contain myself. I had never heard him read without
hesistation, and with out missing word and with such pride and
excitement ! He's used the overlay for 2 weeks now and finds them
bundlesome and can't wait to be tinted. We're trying to get him an
appointment with a Diagnotic to be tinted in late December. With the
expense we've had to do some juggling, but through many anwered
prayers we were able to find out that our insurance will cover some
of the expense.
His teach, again wonderful, has allowed him to use colored paper and
has allowed him to change his seat and has offered to let him wear a
cap in class. Irlens seem to be knew to our area and the Diagnotic
I've been in touch with lets me know that it's not because other do
not have it but that many are undiagnoised. I hope to become a 1 man
crusader and inform the school system about Irlens and to maybe have
some educator trained in being screeners.
I am very excited to find this support group, because I and Sam have
felt kinda alone. My problem is the 'old ghost' in my head, because I
can't see what he sees. I do find myself doubting, but when I began
to doubt I remember hearing him read , truly read for the first time,
and I know We're doing what's right.
If any one has any advice I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks for
being here!

Sincerly Lynn