Vol. XVI, No. 2 SEPTEMBER 2006

Magic Glasses By Carol Stacy Inside This “Tim, it’s your turn to read.” Edition He sat gaping at the bright white page The blurry black letters and curvy white rivers That made him fidgety and gave him shivers. “Please, I think I need some magic glasses Helen’s 2 to help me read.” Corner “When I read, I’m dizzy, my eyes get sore. I stop, ‘cause I just can’t take any more! I know how to read but just can’t do it!” Around 3-4 The World Tim might respond well to an Irlen screen Which will bring into focus the problems we’ve seen 9th Irlen Irlen Filters smoothed the wobbles and wiggles International The too-bright white that made letters jiggle Conference And finally helped Tim to make his escape & 4-5 To a place where letters could take their shape. Keynote Speakers “ is a blast! With yellow filters I can read fast!” New Irlen Directors & 6-7 Irlen Visual Motion Sensitivity and Reading Diagnosticians Reading is more difficult than magnocellular system eye fixation can be directed speaking because an correlate strongly with how on letters in order to identify Research 8-9 arbitrary set of visual symbols well people can acquire their correct order. Boosting must be rapidly identified, orthographic skill. The the magnocellular function of ordered, and translated into reason why the visual poor readers and treating the sounds they represent. magnocellular system is so their eye movement deficits Special 10 Many poor readers have important in reading, can greatly improve their Recognition particular problems with the therefore, seems to be reading. rapid because it plays such a required for these tasks dominant role in stabilizing Stein, J. (2003). Visual Recommended 11 because they have a mild these brief fixations, in motion sensitivity and Courses impairment of the visual addition to directing the eye reading. Neuropsychologia, magnocellular system. This movements between them. 41, 1785-1793. paper shows how important New low level visual processing is Visual magnocellular Screeners 11-12 to reading. It presents sensitivity helps to determine evidence that individual orthographic ability because it differences in the processing mediates the precision with of visual motion by the visual which visual attention and

Irlen International Newsletter • SEPT 2006

Vol. XVI, No. 2 SEPTEMBER 2006

HELEN’S CORNER

The term “twice exceptional” was coined by James J. Gallagher to denote students who are both gifted and have disabilities. Many schools refuse to recognize the needs of these students. Often, parents are told that their child is too bright to qualify for special services.

With the reauthorization of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), for the first time the gifted students with disabilities are mentioned as a group whose needs can be addressed with federal funding.

The extremes between the strengths and weaknesses for the twice-exceptional student create problems in the classroom and for the parent and affect the child’s self-concept. These students are expected to demonstrate appropriate skill acquisition which may be beyond their reach.

Caught in the Eye of the Storm The students who are the most challenged for the schools to recognize are the gifted students who are struggling academically. This appears to be an oxymoron of terms. How can a gifted I fight my child struggle with academic work? Schools are reluctant to recognize and provide for this dual diagnosis. Often, these students are caught in the eye of the storm and are neither identified as fears gifted or as having a . Tragically, neither their giftedness or their weakness is being addressed by the educational system.

I hide my According to federal law, the schools must provide the twice exceptional student with appropriate services and programs designed to respond to both their giftedness as well as their tears weaknesses. Identification and appropriate interventions provide the safe harbor in the eye of the storm. Otherwise, these students are constantly dealing with feelings of failure, frustrations, Hoping no one and low self-esteem.

The gifted students are often more aware of their learning difficulties and feel academic failure Will notice more strongly; and this affects their self-concept and self-esteem causing frustration, anxiety, and confusion. They cannot understand why they are good at some tasks and not others. I was They may avoid doing the more difficult tasks or rush through them not seeming to care if the work has errors or is incomplete. They anticipate failure and handle this by seeming not to fighting attend to certain tasks or not caring. They may exhibit creative ways to try to mask their problems such as: avoiding homework, not studying for tests, losing homework, not interested in school work, not completing assignments, and not turning in assignments. It is hard for these My fears students, or for that matter anyone, to cope with the discrepancy between ability and performance. Hiding my Too often the educational system has difficulty recognizing the dual diagnosis child and will tears either only recognize the giftedness and ignore the learning disability, recognize the learning disability and ignore the giftedness, or ignore both. None of these situations are appropriate to meet the needs of these children and will not allow these children to reach their full potential.

What should be done? The literature says that educators must gear instruction to the student’s strengths, rather than to their weaknesses. The literature advocates using a variety of adaptations, strategies, and accommodations to allow these students to access gifted education; but it is the experience of many in the field that these students often receive inadequate or inappropriate adaptations and accommodations, thereby making their access to gifted instruction problematic. The problem can be too many, too few, or the wrong accommodations.

... Continued on p.11

2 Irlen International Newsletter • SEPT 2006

AROUND THE WORLD WITH IRLEN

Trademarks, Patents & Copyrights. Irlen has been California, USA. The Irlen Institute has been busy trademarked in the following countries: USA, Benelux exhibiting and presenting at the following conferences. (Belgium, Netherlands and Luxembourg), United We would highly recommend you contact your state or Kingdom, South Africa, New Zealand, Singapore, and local association for information on exhibiting or Australia. speaking. National Association of School Psychologists Israel. The first article on Irlen to be published in Israel California State PTA Conference is in the magazine Voices (www.voices-magazine.com). West Coast Conference. Helen Irlen It is a delightful article written by a mother regarding the presented on "Visual-Perceptual Disabilities and problems that her three children were having and the Their Relationship to ADHD, , Learning changes with Irlen Filters. Disabilities and Reading Efficiency." Texas, USA. Natalie Hughes placed 2nd in her division Christian Home Educators Association Convention at the regional Science Fair for her project on Irlen (CHEA) Syndrome and MS. She also won one of the Discovery California Association of Independent Schools Channel Young Scientist Nominations and the Naval Conference Science Award. Jean Hughes, Mother Delta Kappa Gamma International Conference Correctional Education Association International Brazil. In June I gave a presentation to directors and Conference teachers of about 100 private schools. I prepared California Homeschool Network Family Expo. Helen brochures to give out explaining some of the principles Irlen presented and Irlen Institute exhibited. and main symptoms of the Irlen Method. Dr. Márcia Society of America, LA Chapter Conference Guimarães, Clinic Director CTEVH Conference. Helen Irlen presented at a Florida, USA. The Florida Instructional Technology conference for educators and parents of the visually Training & Resource Unit (FDLRS/TECH) has listed handicapped. 67-71% of this population suffers from changing foreground/background colors for students who symptoms that the Irlen Method can address: light struggle with reading or have visual problems as one of sensitivity, glare, strain, poor contrast, & distortions.

the 10 Classroom Strategies. In addition, they listed Oregon, USA. I attended an event with colored overlays as an example of an allowable FCAT superintendents, principals, teachers, assistants, accommodation. (www.fdlrs.com) volunteers, and parents. Author and educator LouAnne California, USA. Clinic Director Susan Hughes Johnson was the guest speaker. Right in the middle of presented as well as exhibited at the California Reading her speech, she stopped and proceeded to speak for Conference held during November in Sacramento. five or ten minutes about Irlen. I was practically jumping out of my seat. My school district had "poo-pooed" Irlen. California, USA. Dr. Andrew Yellen presented What a validation to have the guest speaker at this event “Understanding the Brain's Electrical Activity by Means of recognize the validity of Irlen. the DESA®” in April 2006. Dr. Yellen is a Clinical Psychologist and an Irlen Clinic Director. He has closely My superintendent was now a believer in Irlen and even examined the effects of Irlen Syndrome utilizing state-of- encouraged me to go ahead and try overlays with my the-art neuroelectrical evaluation of patients called students. I'm going to email LouAnne Johnson and DESA®. thank her for opening doors. Susie Young, Screener.

Hawaii, USA. Collin went to see the Navy recruiter who Oregon State Bill for Screening. The bill for Irlen noticed his colored lenses and said, "I had another kid screening is being held until next year before being here to take the ASVAB again with these crazy color presented to the State of Oregon (USA) legislature. lenses. The lady who gave him the note said it would Joan Craig, the Irlen Screener who designed the make a difference and it really did! He scored much legislation, is asking for letters of support of the bill be higher." Ruth Ann Santos, Screener sent to Rep. Andy Olson ([email protected]) with a copy sent to her at [email protected] Ohio, USA. Clinic Director Elaine Gutowitz has trained and to the Irlen Institute. Joan Craig, Screener 37 teachers who work in the Ohio prison system.

3 Irlen International Newsletter • SEPT 2006

California, USA. Clinic Director Susan Hughes did a California, USA. The Irlen Method is an assistive technology; presentation at her local Sports Club. The Sports Club and, as such, the Department of Rehabilitation is now using this advertised her speech in the newspaper and mentioned it category to refer clients and pay for screening and testing for the Irlen Filters. Pursue this with your state's Department of after each Yoga session. Rehabilitation. California, USA. Dr. Andrew Yellen, Clinic Director, Ohio, USA. This year I am screening 4th - 8th grade students presented on Irlen Syndrome utilizing a state-of-the-art in a school awarded a state reading grant - so there is money neuroelectrical evaluation called DESA® at the Collegial for materials and consultants. Their objectives are to use the Consortium which is comprised of therapists, ed. therapists, colored overlays as part of a system of reading speech and therapists, pediatricians, psychologists, interventions. Kathy Witherup, Screener and MFT's. He also presented to all the doctors at the hospital as part of their CME's. Texas, USA. The 10th Annual Texas Irlen Association Meeting

Kansas, USA. Dr. Cathryn Hay, Clinic Director, has was held in Austin, Texas, on February 16-18, 2006. There advertised in her local newspaper and offered to do programs were representatives from 44 school districts throughout Texas (most paid for by the school districts). for several groups. She has also investigated the YMCA which is playing a pivotal role in “Visioneering Wichita.” One of our keynote speakers was Kim Brannan, Manager of the Student Assessment Department for the Texas Education The 11th Annual Texas Irlen Association’s Meeting is Agency (TEA), which has been very positive about allowing scheduled for February 2007 in Dallas, Texas. Dr. Patricia accommodations for students with Irlen Syndrome. Johnson, Clinic Director

Michelle McDaniel, MA, a Licensed Specialist in School Minnesota, USA. At Coon Rapids Middle School, we Psychology and an Irlen Screener, presented on how screening screened 270 poor readers and numerous special education for Irlen Syndrome fits in with the Response through students. Only one didn't get overlays and a handful have Intervention (RTI). Michelle also was awarded the Texas Irlen been slightly affected. Most are severe to moderately severe Association Screener of the Year Award. and admit to chronic headaches or other physical symptoms daily. The kids are buzzing, and now kids are coming saying they tried their friend’s overlay and want their own! Judy Palapala, Clinic Director

Irlen International Conference Keynote Speakers

Professor Max Coltheart, DSc, FASSA, FAA, Margaret Creedon, PhD. Irlen and Autism. FBA. Learning to Read and Some of Its Dr. Creedon is a member of the Panel of Professional Difficulties. Professor Coltheart is Scientific Director of the Advisors of the Autism Society of America as well as the Autism Society of Illinois. She is a cofounder of the Macquarie Centre for Cognitive Science, an inaugural Autism Network for Individuals with Hearing and Visual Australian Research Council Federation Fellow, Professor of Impairments with an international membership. Psychology at Macquarie University, Academic Director of the Previously, she developed a demonstration school Children’s Hospital Education Research Institute, Sydney, program integrating specialized services at Michael and James Packer Professor of Educational Research. He Reese Hospital, Chicago. Currently, she is a consultant has published 13 books and 234 journal articles or chapters. to parents and school systems nationally in the U.S and His research interests are in cognitive neuropsychiatry and in Ireland. cognitive neuropsychiatry, and he has published extensively on how children learn to read and why some find it so difficult. Additional Sessions

Associate Professor Greg Robinson, PhD, Dr. Karen Waldie, Auckland University MAPsS. Irlen Syndrome: Important Features, Irlen in Correctional Institutions Dr. Patricia Effects on Reading and Possible Underlying Johnson Causes. Professor Robinson has worked and researched in Dyslexia: Visual and Auditory Dr. Bev Steffert the area of literacy problems and dyslexia for 35 years. He is Forum on Marketing and Business Growth at the University of Newcastle, teaching and researching in Traumatic Brain Injury and Irlen Fritz Steiner the areas of underlying causes of dyslexia and the Brain Gym Clair Hocking development of effective diagnostic and support systems. Professor Robinson has published widely in the area, with Sessions on Irlen Screenings for Screeners, numerous book chapters, over 60 articles in peer-reviewed Diagnosticians and Directors journals, and many other articles. Tinting Sessions for Directors and Diagnosticians

4 Irlen International Newsletter • SEPT 2006

Irlen Center Boston with Cambridge College 9th International Irlen Conference SKYCITY Convention Centre – Auckland, New Zealand Wednesday 3rd to Saturday 6th January 2007

IRLEN – THE WAY AHEAD

Registration Form

Spouse/Partner’s Name: (if attending) Postal address: Business Phone: Fax: Mobile: Email: Special diet or disability needs:

Category: Clinic Director Diagnostician Screener

Registration Type: Standard NZD$300.00 $ Late (after 2 Nov) NZD$350.00 $

Conference dinner: Friday 5th, number of tickets @ NZD$65.00 $

TOTAL NZD $

Form of payment: Bank Draft (in NZ$) to: Irlen Conference Telegraphic Transfer to: Irlen Conference A/C ANZ Howick 01 0170 0234782 02 (Add NZ$25 Fee to all Telegraphic Transfers)

Visa or MasterCard: Card No: Expiry Date: Name on card: Amount NZD$ Signature:

Contact Details: Postal 9th International Irlen Conference Box 39690, Howick, Auckland, New Zealand Email: [email protected] Fax: +64 9 576 5394 Ph: +64 9 576 5390

5 Irlen International Newsletter • SEPT 2006

NEW IRLEN DIRECTORS & DIAGNOSTICIANS

Bonnie Bartels, MA, Clinic Nerida Crowe, Diagnostician, Director, Des Moines, Iowa, Sydney, Australia. Nerida Crowe has taught in various Catholic primary USA. Bonnie Bartels is in private schools in Sydney, along with regular practice at West Des Moines after-school tutoring, for over ten years. Psychology and Counseling in Her interests include family, bike riding, Iowa. Her specialty is AD/HD cooking, bushwalking, reading, kayaking, coaching which focuses on creating and the theatre. Nerida will be working individualized strategies. She started screening for Irlen as an Irlen Diagnostician under Clinic Directors Gloria and Syndrome in 2005. Darren Thomas at the Irlen Centre in Sydney.

Helen Brauer, Diagnostician, Cornwall, England. Helen Brauer has worked as a Learning Avril Johnson, Diagnostician, Development Adviser/Trainer/ Hull, England. Avril Johnson has Consultant and managed learning worked at the University of Hull for the centres for adults with basic skills last six years with students with specific needs and a range of specific learning learning difficulties including dyslexia, difficulties for nearly 20 years. She has dyspraxia, , , ADHD, a Masters degree in Adult Education/ and Aspergers Syndrome. Since qualifying Rural Social Development and a Post- as an Irlen Screener, she has assessed Graduate Certificate in SpLD/Dyslexia over 300 students. Before joining the University, Avril (AMBDA). She was trained as an Irlen Screener in 1999 worked as a Pediatric Occupational Therapist with children and initiated awareness-raising in other organizations such with a range of physical and learning disabilities. The city of as the Royal Navy, local universities, Probation Service, Hull is a busy port on the North-East coast of England. Avril and Employment Services. She will be working as an Irlen will join Clinic Director Celia Stone as an Irlen Diagnostician. Diagnostician under Clinic Director Stephanie Jamison.

Leanne Greeff, Diagnostician, Pretoria, South Mary Holloway, Diagnostician, Africa. Leanne Greeff is an experienced Irlen Screener, Cornwall, England. Mary Holloway psychologist, lecturer, teacher, writer, and lives and works in Cornwall, in the far South public speaker. She has been an Irlen Western area of England. Fifteen years ago, Screener for more than 4 years in she trained to be a support tutor. Since Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa. Leanne then, she has been gaining City and Guilds has had a busy private practice as an qualifications in Literacy, Numeracy, and Educational Psychologist for more than 9 ESOL. She is training with the British Dyslexia Institute. years. Her focus in private practice is Mary is now the Senior Tutor in her centre and runs a Irlen screening, emotional problems, scholastic problems, section of 12 tutors who solely support dyslexia-related career guidance, and school readiness assessment. She is difficulties. She trained as an Irlen Screener in April, 2005. currently busy with PhD studies on Irlen Syndrome. Leanne As an Irlen Diagnostician, she will be supporting Stephanie will work as an Irlen Diagnostician with Clinic Director Jamison in her position as Clinic Director, Southwest and Martelean Venter. South Wales.

6 Irlen International Newsletter • SEPT 2006

Louise Parker, Diagnostician, High Peak, Sherri Schultz, Diagnostician, Boston, England. Louise Parker began her career in education Massachusetts, USA. Sherri Schultz has a degree in working with children and teens with Psychology and has also taken The Brain and Irlen learning and behavioral problems. She later Syndrome course offered through the Applied moved on to working with adults with Neuroscience Certificate Program at Cambridge similar problems. Louise was diagnosed, as College. She has been an Irlen Screener since an adult, with dyslexia and Irlen Syndrome. 2002. She is now working at the Irlen Center She has subsequently been involved with Boston as an Irlen Diagnostician under Clinic dyslexia support, but her main area of Director Georgianna Saba. Sherri has introduced interest is helping others with Irlen Syndrome. Having information on the Irlen Method to the Watertown Public trained as a Screener, she has used her knowledge and Schools. This past year, she gave testimony regarding Irlen strong belief in the benefit of assessment in Irlen to spread Syndrome to the Committee on Education at the the word to both individuals and the wider audience. She Massachusetts State House. Sherri spoke both as a will be working under Clinic Director Joan Hillary as an professional who also wears Irlen Filters and as a parent of a Irlen Diagnostician. child who has benefited.

David Petersen, LCSW, Clinic Director, Clearfield, Utah, USA. David Petersen is a clinical Debbie Sniderman, Diagnostician, Alberta, social worker in Ogden, Utah, which is located 30 miles Canada. Debbie is a reading specialist north of Salt Lake City. He has been doing working with Reading and Writing clinical mental health work for over 30 Consultants of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, years. David works at the Clearfield Job which is also the Irlen Centre Alberta. She Corps Center where they have about 1,300 works with students with reading difficulties, students in their residential job training doing assessments, tutoring, and Irlen program. He also has a private practice screenings. Debbie obtained her Master of located with a group of Family Practice Education degree, with a specialty in Language Arts, from the Physicians. He began screening for Irlen University of Alberta in June, 2000. She was trained as an Syndrome in 2004. He works as a private contractor for Irlen Screener in 1999. Helping students improve their visual the Management Training Corporation who manages 23 perception and ease their comfort with the printed page has Job Corps Centers throughout the U.S. for the been very rewarding, as many of them succeed in school, Department of Labor. David will only be working as an post-secondary education, and careers with greater ease due Irlen Diagnostician with the Job Corps clients. He has to their Irlen tints. Debbie will be working as an Irlen been married for 38 years; and he and his wife, Kari, have three grown children. David enjoys fishing, skiing, Diagnostician under Clinic Director Judy Pool. snowshoeing, biking, reading, and writing.

Tehnaz Ragi, Diagnostician, Hong Kong. Moira Usher, Diagnostician, Suffolk, England. Tehnaz Ragi provides Learning Integration Foundation and Moira Usher has been a high school teacher for 32 years, first Empowerment services in Hong Kong. She is as a musician and then as a specialist in special educational a licensed Consultant, Diagnostician, and needs and child protection. She trained as an Facilitator for Specific and Global Learning Irlen Screener 15 years ago. Moira stopped Differences, Difficulties and Disabilities and a teaching last July and is now working freelance as licensed Brain Gym® Instructor/Consultant. a consultant to schools in special needs, teaching Her other qualifications include B.A. (Lang & music to adults at home. She plays the recorder, Lit) IN; PGCE (TOEFL/TOESL) HK, and DIP. SpLD cello, and piano and does a lot of conducting of (Hornsby) UK. Tehnaz has worked with children adult amateur groups around the UK. Moira and experiencing mild to severe learning difficulties and her husband enjoy traveling and have been to Antarctica, disabilities since 1996. She will work under Clinic Kenya, Tanzania (where they climbed Mount Kilimanjaro), Directors Patricia and Steve Stanley as an Irlen Peru, the USA, and many countries in Europe. Moira will be Diagnostician in Hong Kong. working with Director Christina Yates at the Irlen East Centre.

7 Irlen International Newsletter • SEPT 2006

RESEARCH

Oregon Project with At-Risk Youth

One pilot project in Marion County, Oregon, seeks to address the academic needs of students identified through a school counselor or the juvenile system as a child at risk of offending. These students are between the ages of 8-12. Early identification is done with the hope of providing resources to help students in a number of areas. One area of Coloured Overlays and Patients with assistance is with tutoring by a Learning Specialist who works Multiple Sclerosis with each student one hour a week for up to a year. During 2005, 26 students were screened for SSS. All of the students Ben Wright and Arnold Wilkins have conducted screened were found to have SSS. Seventy-seven percent research using coloured overlays. The title of the were severe, twenty percent were high, and three percent paper, which is in submission for publication, is called were moderate SSS. There were six children in the program “Spectral Filters Can Improve Reading and Visual who were not tested, so they represent missing data. These Search in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis.” Patients findings also represent a significantly higher rate of SSS with multiple sclerosis experience symptoms of visual when compared to those in the general population. discomfort and perceptual distortions. Coloured Countryman and Davis, 2005 overlays have been shown by the research study to reduce symptoms of visual stress, increase reading speed, and improve visual search. Sparkes, D.L., Robinson, G.L., Roberts, T.K. & 25 of 26 patients with multiple sclerosis reported fewer Dunstan, R.H. General health and associated symptoms of visual stress when using an overlay of biochemistry in a visual-perceptual subtype of their selected colour. The same patients also improved dyslexia. (In Press). University of Newcastle. performance on both the Rate of Reading Test and a test of visual search when using their selected overlay colour. 24 patients who reported that the coloured Abstract overlay was helpful were still using the overlay four The general health of adults and juveniles with a visual- months after the completion of testing. perceptual subtype of dyslexia known as Irlen Syndrome (IS) was assessed by a self-administered questionnaire, and the Coloured overlays and their effects on reading responses were investigated in relation to changes in urinary speed: a review. Wilkins A, Visual Perception Unit, and plasma biochemistry. The prevalence and severity of a University of Essex, Colchester, UK. Ophthal. Physiol. number of the symptoms assessed by self-report for a one- Opt. 2002; 22: 448-454. week period showed significant differences when compared to their control peers. Increases in symptoms for the IS Abstract: Coloured overlays can reduce symptoms of subjects indicated possible problems with the dysregulation of visual stress and improve reading speed. These the immune system, , neurocognition, mood, and benefits are reliable and are not attributable simply to with muscle cramps and twitches. The significant increases in placebo effects. Five percent of children in mainstream these problems suggested that in IS, reading difficulties were education read at least 25% more quickly with an accompanied by re-educations in the general “well-being” of overlay, provided they have chosen the colour. The the individual. The reported severity of both the IS and the suboptimal design of children’s text and the high level of general health symptoms were associated with alterations in classroom lighting may be partly responsible. the levels of specific plasma lipids and urinary metabolites for the IS cohort. The results suggested that in IS the general Claremont McKenna College Research. We are just health of the individual may be poorer and that these getting started collecting data. We have a very large changes, along with the symptoms that define the syndrome, sample now (over 400 students); and moderate to may be associated with anomalous biochemistry. severe visual discomfort continues to show up for about Examination of these associations provides further insight to 20% of the sample, although severe symptoms are very the understanding the etiology of this learning disability. rare (1%) at the Claremont Colleges. Chris Chase, Ph.D., Professor of Psychology, Claremont McKenna College, Claremont

8 Irlen International Newsletter • SEPT 2006

RESEARCH

THE EFFECTS OF SCOTOPIC SENSITIVITY/IRLEN “The Irlen Syndrome represents an SYNDROME ON EVALUATING ATTENTION intriguing and controversial spectrum DEFICIT WITH STANDARDIZED TESTING of symptoms that remain invisible to By Andrew G. Yellen, Ph.D. most clinicians. During 32 months at the Amen Clinic, I have confirmed Due to the nature of IS, various subtests of the Wechsler diagnosis of approximately 210 Intelligence Scale for Children, Fourth Edition (WISC-IV), patients with Irlen Syndrome. Irlen and of the Woodcock-Johnson Pyschoeducational Battery, Syndrome, depending on the severity Third Edition, Cognitive and Achievement (WJ-R), are and presence of co-existing adversely affected. In addition, continuous performance disorders, contributed to anxiety, tasks reliant on visual processing, such as the Test of with a resulting spectrum of fatigue, Variables of Attention-Visual (TOVA-Visual), are also irritability, and vulnerability with a negatively impacted and may, in some cases, produce false diminished cognitive reserve. Irlen positives for ADHD. Irlen lenses may bring the standard Syndrome should often be expected scores into the Average range with no other intervention; within the following clinical thus those suspected of ADHD should be screened for IS composites: Bipolar Spectrum and, if appropriate, tinted prior to administration of such Disorder, Sensory Integration visual tasks. Disorder, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Anxiety Those not yet done in formalized research, empirical Disorders, School Phobia, Cranial evidence suggests that standard scores may be as much as Cerebral Trauma, Visual Dyslexia, Tic one and one-half standard deviations higher when Disorders, Reactive Attachment individuals with IS utilized Irlen lenses. The more heavily Disorder, , Mood Disorder reliant a task is upon visual processing, the greater the Spectrum, Recurrent Automobile improvement once the IS has been appropriately addressed. Accidents, Excessive Daytime Specifically, caution should be taken before concluding that Fatigue, and Irritable Bowel a diagnosis of ADHD is accurate when the assessments are Syndrome.” heavily dependent upon visual processing and a screening Robert Dobrin, M.D., F.A.A.P. for IS has not been performed.

PILOT PROJECT AT EDWARDSVILLE ELEMENTARY by J. Kay Shevling, LCPC

The main objective of this pilot study was to evaluate students evaluated were in Special Education. the possible presence of Irlen Syndrome/Scotopic Nevertheless, they were struggling with reading, Sensitivity in children in School District USD 204. Of headaches, frustration, and discomfort from bright lights. the 30 students evaluated, 21 showed evidence of The study indicates that a number of children in moderate Irlen symptoms, as indexed by self-reported Edwardsville Elementary School demonstrate Irlen visual distortions (scores of 14 or higher on the Irlen Syndrome. More formal and systematic evaluation and Perceptual Scale) and self-reports of moderate- treatment of this condition is likely to lead to improved significant improvements in visual perception with reading skills and less frustration for many of these colored overlays. Eight additional students showed students. With minimal information, many parents can some evidence of mild Irlen symptoms. All students be taught to recognize the signs and symptoms of Irlen were given the appropriate overlays with explanations Syndrome. Teachers should be taught to recognize the as to how they should be used and stored. symptoms so that the children who do not take notes home can be identified. There should be at least one Although the present study evaluated a select staff member in each school who is trained to screen population of students, it is noteworthy that none of the students and use the Irlen interventions.

9 Irlen International Newsletter • SEPT 2006

SPECIAL RECOGNITION FOR DISTINGUISHED SERVICE Irlen Ambassadors

The Irlen Institute would like to acknowledge those individuals from across the nation and around the world who work tirelessly to help spread the word about the Irlen Method. These individuals come from all walks of life – some are Irlen Screeners, some are parents, and others are professionals who work in the field of education. The following people deserve special recognition and special thanks:

Wendy Clifton, an experienced Screener and Robert Devitt is in his 60's and receives a disability occupational therapist in Ontario, Canada, has pension. He was instrumental in having Sondra Fyffe made numerous Irlen presentations to appear on a Cable TV program to talk about Irlen. It educators and to other occupational therapists. was Robert who convinced the reporter of the Lindsay Wendy screens clients as part of her Post to write an article on Patricia Johnson and Irlen in perceptual testing protocol. January, 2005. Thank you, Robert, for being a true Ambassador for Irlen! Vern Hyslop, a member and former Governor of the Toronto Rotary Club, was instrumental in Patricia Johnson is the focus of the Educational arranging for Helen's visit to the Toronto Rotary Today article and the newspaper article in the Lindsay Club in June, 1992, and in obtaining funds Post. Patricia, along with her father, addressed the through the local Rotary Service Club to screeners at the Screener Cluster Meeting in Toronto provide Irlen screening and testing for a last January. Patricia shared her Irlen experience with number of children. Most of the students now a community in Peterborough in June of 2005, have their lenses. organized by screener Sandra Herage. Patricia has agreed to allow the use of her story to increase a Christine Lee-Archer, a newly trained Irlen greater awareness of Irlen. She speaks on her Irlen Diagnostician working with Gloria Thomas in experience whenever she can. Melbourne (Australia), has helped to ease the entry of children into class wearing Irlen Filters Pamela Benn has written and illustrated a booklet AND to make some money for the school to entitled Germs Under Arrest, printed on a variety of help needy students pay for the cost of the coloured backgrounds to point out the importance of filters. She started the “Cool Sunnies for colour for some people. The final page of Pam's book Reading Program.” She purchases little bears gives an outline of Irlen Syndrome and provides yet and decks them out with little colored glasses another way to promote Irlen. Pam's son has been in all the colors of the rainbow, which she sells tested for the filters, and her daughter is to be in order to raise money for the program. screened. Many thanks to Pamela for her contribution to the publicity of Irlen Syndrome through her books. Ronnie Valenti, an Irlen Screener, documents the need for overlays and results of using Sam Lalonde is a grade 12 student who participated in overlays with students at Forsyth Technical an information booth at the Ottawa Learning Disabilities Community College. She presents Irlen to Conference in April during our Irlen Awareness Week. other community colleges. Sam is an excellent spokesperson for the Irlen method. His grandmother is funding a project so that he can Michael Harris has provided funding for create an 'awareness' of Irlen within his school and training screeners for the Adult Basic Skills Ottawa Board Of Education. program at Forsyth Tech Community College. Gloria Westerman, Pat Phillips, and Teresa Poteat Teri Hall, an Irlen Filter wearer, arranged for all advocate for Irlen on their community college an article in her local newspaper and screens campuses and arrange for training or screenings of students on a volunteer basis in schools. their students.

10 Irlen International Newsletter • SEPT 2006

RECOMMENDED COURSES

Irlen Center Boston with Cambridge College Professional Development The Distance Learning Program (DLP) “The Brain and Irlen Syndrome” EED 641 May be taken as a Three Credit Graduate Course Option

TWO OPTIONS: The Distance Learning Program (DLP) is designed exclusively for Irlen Screeners 1. Two Day Non Credit with PDP/CEU”S or and those who have already taken the two 2. Two Day plus DLP Practicum & Online day Irlen Screener Training. The DLP can component with three Graduate Credits be done in part via the internet. Course may be taken separately or as part of the HIGHLIGHTS: Applied Neuroscience Certificate Program. 1. Earn 3 Graduate Credits 2. Apply for Recertification in your field For Details Contact: 3. Earn PDP/CEU Points in your State Irlen Center Boston 4. Earn Irlen Institute Recertification 5. Coursework done partially at your Georgianna Saba worksite and on the internet [email protected] 6. Take DLP from any location (781) 396-3321 www.irlenboston.com

Helen’s Corner Continued from pg. 2

Interventions, such as Recordings for the Blind and Dyslexic, are often mentioned in the literature as a New Screeners method for allowing gifted children with reading

difficulties to progress. Although well meaning and SOUTH CAROLINA: Sandy Bailey, Jackie Blackwell, Miriam Blue, Pegyy totally appropriate, these interventions have limitations: Campbell, Traci Crisco, Jamie Edwards, LaVoice Faison-Stevens, Suz- many textbooks are not available on tape, many books anne Glattli, Tommiann Hill, Holly Hodges, Jean Kinyon, Sharon Mickey, for outside reading assignments are not available on Jane Owens, Robert Porter, Sheila Swift, Pat Wheeler, Kimberly Worley / tape, and some students are not auditory learners and TEXAS: Carol Abernathy, Kay Adams-Traugott, Angelia Ainsworth, Jane Allcorn, Laura Arena, Elizabeth Batto, Carol Baumann, Melissa Bell, Jami cannot learn by listening. Bihl, Carolyn Brinson, Toni Brooks, Tena Brunson, Jennifer Caddell, But, more importantly, a critical step has been bypassed. Dayren Carklisle, Rebecca Cervantes, Judy Chumchal, Pam Clark, Karyn Collins, Lucille Dominguez, Valerie Dykstra, Sherri Eads, Gayle Eblirg, The school needs to be testing the twice exceptional Kenzie Fairchild, Vicky Ferguson, Yvonne Fifer, Jeanne Flanagon, Rosa learner for perceptual processing deficits, such as Irlen Flores, Joley Flowers, Patti Foyt, Paula Gallagher, Dianna Gilmore, Tanya Syndrome. For the twice exceptional child, often this is Goldbeck EdD, Janet Gray, Joy Hall, Brandee Hamilton, Patrick Harkins the only problem holding back the learning. Their profile MD, Dianne Hearn, Shirley Helton, Stephanie Hendrix, Jan Hook, Barbara differs from the learning disabled child who often has Kettler, Herbert Kunkel, Craig Lira, Deanna Lynch, Vickie Maertz, Peggy Martin, Wanda May, Eva Mcbeth, Kaci Mcbryde, Sue Medford, Pam more than one disability. For the twice exceptional child, Meers, Cyndi Miesner, Donna Moffett, Raymond Morazan, Pam Morlan, being able to identify Irlen Syndrome and remove this Darla Myatt, Kimberly Navejar, Vivian Nichols, Alicia Pacini, Nancy Pesek, barrier may actually eliminate the only area that is Karen Quinn, Bree Reid, Mindy Rice, Robin Rice, Sydney Rieff, Heather causing a difficulty, resulting in rapid changes in Ries, Andrea Rosenbusch, Janie Ruiz, Holly Rush, Debbie Schiller, Cyn- academic progress, self-esteem, motivation, and interest thia Smith, Legih Steen, Edith Stephens, Patti Tessen, Becky Turner, Grenna Vasquez, Doris Vardell, Stephanie Villalta, Karen Wenzel, Ann in school. Why provide a crutch when you can let the Wilson / VIRGINA: Ursula Allen, Nancy Kochl / WASHINGTON: Erica child run free? For the twice exceptional student with Almeda, Barbara Haas, Karen Lamoreux, Cheryl Mclean, Maria Latimer, Irlen Syndrome, the school system is clearly providing Lorraine Necaise, Dee Olson, Stephanie Peyser, Judith Robinson, Kaila the wrong accommodations. How tragic when the Spring / WEST VIRGINA: Ruthie Haden, Sharon Leasure, Christy Spicer / technology to diagnose processing problems and the WISCONSIN: Tracy Fleck method for eliminating these problems is available and has been for the past 20 years.

11 Irlen International Newsletter • SEPT 2006

New Screeners

AUSTRALIA: Julie Bellingham, Jonathan Bishop, Alexandra Brown, Christine Casey, Valda Natalie Davey, Dianne Duncan, Karen England, Cheryl Gates, Fiona Graham, Vanessa Hardy, Annie Laughton, Carolyn Lord, Martha Mack, Kim Mathews, Joanne Miliambro, Barbara Moore, Jenni Mullen, Susan Paul, Amanda Redmayne, Gloria Robinson, Janet Stuart, Louise Thomason, Doris Tiong, Margot Tugwell / AUSTRIA: Marilyn Donaldson, Fiona Hart, Jan Hart, Eva Liakas, Joan Morice, Kerrie Peden, Eva-Maria Spiwak, Doris Stoeckner / CANADA: Jo-Ann Campbell, Gayle Conway, Janet Fowler, Beverly Franchuck, Lucia Fredette, Maria Gallie, Felicia Guzzo, Joanne Heckbert, Laurel Hood, Elizabeth Lacey, Charla Langevin, Jane Lanktree, Elayne Lorenz, Jeannie Lundgard, Cyndy Lutz, Anee-Marie Millette, Susan Mouris, Ginett Palin, Loraine Pare, Susan Peacock, Janet Porter, Heather Reid, Janet Shepherd, Lorianne Smith, William Smith, Katherine Toope, Diane Vandemeent, Natalie White, Catherine Widjedal, Patricia Wright-Bodig / ENGLAND: Elizabeth Andrews, Julie Andrews, Tracy Ashbridge, Linda Ashbrook, Aletta Ashmore, Kerry Aston, Rachel Barnes, Samantha Barnett, Jean Bates, Joanne Bennett, Sue Beresford, Beryl Blair, Emma Buckley, Diana Carr, Susan Cartwright, Lynne Clarke, Lynda Clark, Rebecca Clegg, Pamela Coates, Cynthia Cotterill, Glynis Cox, Julie Craig, Laura Dolby, Robert Duffioud, Julie Dunn, Trisha Dunk, Rowena Entwistle, Irene Evans, Wendy Fairman, Jean Flounders, Bernadette Gartside, Victoria Grange, Susan Greaves, Rebecca Gregory, Stephen Hall, Alison Harper, Chris Hazard, Susan Hazzledine, Carolyn Hempton, Gillian Heywood, Maureen Hickman, Sarah Higgins, Craig Holden, Evelyn Holdstock, Clarke Holmes, Sandra Holtappel, Julie Houghton, Patricia Howell, Carole Hurst, Wendy Husemann, Melanie Jones, Susan Kelsell, Jane Knight, Tina Lavender, Yvonne Lawton, Pauline Lockstone, Julie Machin, Susan Manente, Thelma Marshall, Liz McKelvie, Karen Middleton, Dorothy Nettel, Jean Norton, Zoe Norwood, Fiona O’Connor, Sheila Penn, Angela Pilkington, Frances Platten, Jacqui Poole, Nicolette Poulton, Penny Rea, Diane Ridings, Sarah Roberts, Sandra Sadowska, Philip Smart, Kay Smith, Dena Stote, Donna Sykes, Rachael Taylor, Barbara Thomas, Kath Thomson, Jane Wade, Sue Walker, Rachael Wardle, Andrew Wheeler, Jane White, Janice Whittome, Judith Willetts, Clive Williams, Shan Williams, Ann Williams-Neil, Lesley Woodhouse, Michael Woollard / HONG KONG: Laura Self, Connie Yuen / JORDAN: Maisa Al-Tarawneh, Rana Matar / NEW ZEALAND: Heather Kershaw, Candice Larson, Michele Meyer, Noeline Sharplin, Jennifer Scott / SLOVENIA: Aine Lee- Pedersen / SOUTH KOREA: Hyun Do MD, Insuk Han MD, Shin Heui, Chung Kang PhD, Seok-Cheol Kang MD, Kyung-Ran Kim PhD, Bong-Ho Lee MD, Eun-Ah Lee MD, Sang-Heg Lee OMD, Ho-Seob Lim, Chae Park, Chan-Il Park MD, Lee Ran, Joung Soo MD, Park Yeong PhD, Sung Yoon MD, Lee Young / SPAIN: Sara Garcia, Elena Jodra, Derlinda Moreno / SWITZERLAND: Sylvia Huber / WALES: Jane Edwards / USA: ALASKA: Sharon Canadine / ARKANSAS: Donna Dyson, Jennifer Muckelrath, Trissy Pitkin, Cheryl Richardson / CALIFORNIA: Susan Arasmith, Shenikka Barnes, John Cunha, Glenda Custard, Howard Ferquson, Deborah Fox, Varan Garro, Maraya Hamilton, Susan Hunt, Vikki Kirin, Edward Krouse, Susann Krouse, Lisa Lamedman, Derette Layne, Dr. Aylene Lazar, Virginia Minami, Karen Palmerlee, Stephanie Parsons, Anastacia Patrick, Jeff Rutherfurd, Karen Schnee, Shmuel Stoch, Susan Warda, Brent Weaver / CONNECTICUT: Heidi Clement / FLORIDA: Dr. Chidiebere Ekenna-Kalu, Melissa Seib / HAWAII: Karen Caires, Verna Choy, Amy Ogasawara-Fukumoto, Carolyn Gregory, Bess Jennings / ILLINOIS: Barbara Blaylock PhD, Donita Kaare, Peg Kennedy, Matthew McNatt, Jan Parker EdD, Rene Soulvie-Ostapuk, James Thilker, Jo Anne Waggoner, Dena Weber, Patricia Wintyr / IOWA: Ann Francis, Alice Hadley, Elizabeth Hagedorn, Carol Kenkel, Shari Lohrmann, Julie Monson, Cindy Peterson, Diane Schwartz / ILLINOIS: Barbara Wendel / KENTUCKY: Mary Clark, Holly Cookus-Stoneburner, Jason Morris, Jennifer Nelson, Beverly Stewart, Connie Wilson / MAINE: Sarah Lovejoy / MASSACHUSETTS: Janeen Abrams, Karen Anderson, Robin Berube, Melissa Cote, Lisa Hartman, Linda Irons, Susan Jurgensen, Maude Le Roux, Valerie Lizotte, Katherine Lyon, Heidie Manthei, Michael Morse, Stephan Nadel, Crystal Nardini, Jenna Nelson, Kathleen Rafuse Parnell PhD, Barbara Piscitelli, Marianne Porto, Amy Schlaefer, Deborah Scortico, Lynda Serodio, Rosemary Spauldine, Suzan Theodorou, Nancy Tulla, Victoria Waite / MICHIGAN: Sandra Cumper, / MINNESOTA: Jennifer Amundson, Nancy Hamm / NEVADA: Charlotte Courson, Pamela Doto, Tammie Moniz, Stacie Nelson, Susan Owens, Patti Ponton, Dana Porello / NEW MEXICO: Sharon Brock, Thomas Mcgaghie, Kim Rasmussen, Janene Scott / OHIO: Jennifer Boles, Nancy Bridgeman, Christopher Brockmeyer, James Boakye-Dankwah, Linda Burwinked, Jeffrey Cole, Priscilla Colon, Ronald Davis, Mary DiCiero, David Dickson, Terri Duncko PhD, Jerry Fitzgerald, Molly Fitzgerald, Anne Fornal, Jennifer Fornal, Taryn Grinker, Frances Hagen, Deborah Hercsek, Robert Holzhhauser, Robert Hutton, Keith Jennings, Cheryl Joesting, Caren Karlage, Julie Kastner, Sare Kavak, Linda Lafferre, Susan Lafferty, Bernadette Maes, Joan May, Susan May, David Mitten, George Moroschan, Beverly Odoms, Michael Peck, James Poling, Carolyn Powers, Linda Rhodes, Roger Rhodes, David Ricker, Deborah Roberts, Mary Ruscin, Jennifer Sanders, Dean Scheiderer, Annette Scheve, Vera Scott, Marilyn Shroyer, Ange Siemer, Dianne Siereveld, Carmen Skinner, Jan Smith, Kimberly Smith, Lisa Stirk, Maxine Thompson-Frost, Erica Wardlaw, Benedict Zella / OREGON: Kathleen LaCombe, Cherie Countryman, Gary Ives, Maria Latimer, Lianne Lennert PsyD, Rose Roth, Linda Schmechel, Staci Simmelink-Johnson PhD, Carmen Vargas, Fawny Vernon, Pamela Watts / PENNSYLVANIA: Janice Buckwalter, Christine Hughes / NEW HAMPSHIRE: Roberta Holt / NEW JERSEY: Pam Warehime / NEW YORK: Dr. Ruth Duldberg, Diana Holloran, Ruth Isaacson, Catherine Spinella / NORTH CAROLINA: Penelope Bowie, Edison Cano-Serrano, Shirlene Davis, Karen Forster, Lavette Henderson, Amy Johnson PhD, Judy Lawrence, Peggy Murdock, Jenny Overbey, Edna Stanback, Vicki Wilson New School District Screeners (Training funded by and conducted on-site at school districts)

ECTOR COUNTY ISD, Texas: Regina Albidrez, Dana Christian, Sofia Elmore, Cathy Gilleland, Wanda Haynes, Betty Hubbard, Joan McCown, Sharon Meister, Gwen Newton, Lorri Petty, Vivian Proffitt, Dorma Rex, Sandra Roberts, M. Salcido, Misty Stewart, Leann Tacker, Judy Wagoner / EL PASO ISD, Texas: Dolores Benavidez, Lorraine Bentley, Hilario Chavira, Norma Corral, Sandra Denton, Angel Haney, Cynthia Laroche, John Laroche, Martha Martinez, Rebecca Montes, Geraldine Nitzburg, Connie Perez, Cynthia Rincon, Patricia Sanchez, Imelda Tejeda, Carolyn Thomas, Diane Valverde, Hermila Valera, Johnnie Vega, Gustavo Vega Jr., Yvette Zarur / HOUSTON ISD, Texas: Macarena Aravjo-Rivera, Janeen Crayton, Blanca Gonzalez, Kathleen Hejjali, Graciela Lazo, Manuel Manzano, Rosemary Matthews, Hilda Ortiz, Bernadine Powell, Frances Salinas, Diana Samano, Samiah Sultan, Zoraida Ravenhorst, Phalkuny Yos / POST ISD, Texas: Gini Aldridge, Tonya Dunn, Consuelo Flores, Kim Green, Amy Guthrie, Julia Hudman, Lea Hudson, Pam Humble, Katy Mock, Sharon Morrison, Steven Phillips, Dena Potter, Mary Short, Tim Tatum, Angela Walden / REGION IV ESC, Texas: Evelyn Allen, Elizabeth Andrews, Sylvia Baker, Patricia Baldwin, Tina Banner, Deborah Cowie, Susan Frazier, Jessica Gabbanelli, Virginia Gilland, Mike Grissom, Jean Henderson, Kimberly Harlow, Rosalind Jones, Margaret Kelly, Angela Kinman, Cheryl Lafleur, Holly Lamb, Michelle Machin, Maria Mamaux, Loree Munro, LaDonna Pope, Leslie Russell, Robalyn Snyder, Efrain Urbie / RENTON TECH. COLLEGE, Washington: Gail Dugan, Karma Forbes, Linda Hart, Cathy Jenner, Elizabeth Jewett, Denise Jordan, Michele Lesmeister, Donna Maher, Susie Navone, Wendy O’Reilly, DeEtta Ryan

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12 Irlen International Newsletter • SEPT 2006