Irlen Syndrome is more common than either heart disease or asthma, but it’s often overlooked as the possible cause of the learning challenges many children face. This visual processing problem affects up to 46 percent of children with reading and learning difficulties, and approximately 30 percent of people with ADHD, dyslexia, autism, and those who have suffered a head injury. It also affects 12-14 percent of the general population, people who don’t have learning problems, successful professionals, and gifted students. With statistics like this, odds are high you probably know someone who suffers from Irlen Syndrome.
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In Irlen Syndrome, the brain struggles to make sense of the visual information it receives. This causes a variety of symptoms from visual distortions to physical symptoms like headaches, migraines, strain and fatigue, difficulty attending, and problems with depth perception. Certain environments and situations, such as bright and fluorescent lighting, can make symptoms worse, and symptoms can be different in different people. Understanding the depth and breadth of the impact Irlen Syndrome can have is key to successfully addressing the condition and removing it as a barrier to learning.
Overcoming common misconceptions
Since the condition was first discovered by American Psychologist Helen Irlen, over three decades ago, several misconceptions about the condition have surfaced.
Misconception #1: Irlen Syndrome is just about reading. It’s not. Irlen Syndrome is a neurologic condition resulting in an over-active or over-stimulated brain. This extra brain activity affects lots of different areas of functioning including: health and well-being, attention, concentration, behavior, depth perception, and academic performance. The impact on academic performance isn’t restricted to reading; the condition can also affect math computation, handwriting, copying, and even listening. It can affect behavior in the classroom, how long a child can stay focused, and how quickly a child can get work done. It can also have a dramatic effect on how a child feels. It can cause headaches, migraines, nausea, fatigue, and anxiety, and sometimes these physical symptoms can be debilitating. It’s not just about being able to see words clearly.
Misconception #2: Irlen Syndrome is a problem with the eyes. Wrong. Irlen Syndrome is not an issue with the eyes, it’s a problem with the brain. Even when the eyes function perfectly, the brain can have difficulty processing the visual information it receives. Irlen Syndrome requires separate and distinct assessment and intervention from eye problems.
Co-existing With other conditions: autism, ADHD, dyslexia, TBI
The latest research on Irlen Syndrome has moved beyond reading to look at other populations. As many as 80 percent of individuals on the autism spectrum report having distorted perception, and research on Irlen Syndrome and autism has shown that interventions for Irlen Syndrome successfully correct this distorted world to make it clear and stable. The same is true for individuals struggling with headaches, reading and academic difficulties after a concussion or head injury. When it comes to the connection between Irlen Syndrome and ADHD and Dyslexia, up to 30 percent of individuals who have these conditions also suffer from Irlen Syndrome. Therefore, there is often a misdiagnosis of ADHD and dyslexia, when the true problem is Irlen Syndrome.
An over-active brain
Seventy percent of the information we receive is visual and must be correctly processed and interpreted by the brain. Ongoing research at Cornell University’s fMRI facility in the United States corroborates other recent neuroscience research showing that people with Irlen Syndrome have over-active brains. Their brains work extra hard to try and make sense of visual information. This over-activity causes the list of varied symptoms often associated with the condition. This brain imaging research also repeatedly shows how filtering visual information through individualized spectral filters calms and normalizes brain activity in these individuals, improving their performance and ability to function.
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