The Irlen Project, Colorado Springs
Background
Based upon several studies, it is estimated that approximately 10-12% of the population likely have Irlen Syndrome, which can make reading difficult.
Irlen Syndrome (IS), also known as Meares-Irlen Syndrome, Scotopic Sensitivity Syndrome, and Visual Stress, is a visual processing issue. It is not an optical issue. It is an inability of the visual processing system to focus on print vs. the white background on most text or computer screens. Consequently, print on a white background is hard to read. Words may be skewed or seem to be moving on the page. People with IS often skip lines, have to reread lines, lose their place easily, are easily distracted, cannot read for long periods of time, get headaches, their eyes get watery, have to blink or squint often while reading, use their fingers to track, and feel restless when reading.
Irlen website, http://irlen.com
The website contains a lot of information and resources.
There are several online screening tools that can be used to identify if Irlen is likely.
You can also find a licensed diagnostician through the website and purchase related products.
We are not associated with Irlen Institute, but are making information and self-screening tools available to anyone in Colorado Springs as a public service.
Irlen Syndrome is somewhat controversial, but there is a significant body of research supporting the claims made by the company. One of the founders of TRSM met a nationally recognized neruro-scientist who has done independent research and strongly believes in the concept, Dr. Jeffrey Lewine of the Mind Research Network at the University of New Mexico.
In collaboration with Dr. Lewine, we have participated in screening staff and students at several schools in Albuquerque, New Mexico and have first hand experience that strongly suggests the condition and solution is real.
Introduction by Dr. Jeffrey Lewine, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5stzPGrthYc.
Self-screening
In collaboration with the Urbanites Leading the Pikes Peak Region, we recently received two grants that allow us to purchase color overlays in bulk to create an inventory for Colorado Springs, Colorado.
We are working to establish screening sites around the community to make it convenient for interested people to be able to self screen and purchase overlays affordably.
You can go to the Irlen website above to take their self screening assessments online, or you can click on the following link to download a version of the Irlen short questionnaire.
Irlen Short Questionnaire
Review the questions for yourself or your child in first grade or older.
If enough symptoms are identified, please feel free to visit one of the community screening sites to take the next step to self screen using a sample of the available color overlays.
Ten different colored overlays are placed individually over a page of print on white background and the person determines if any of the colors help to solve the problem. It takes about five to ten minutes to do this level of screening.
If a particular color overlay helps to mitigate the problem, a person can use that overlay to help while reading. If the problem is present on computer screens, it is possible to tape an overlay to the screen or buy a colored cling sheet that will stick to the screen. Sometimes it is possible to change the background on the screen. There are colored digital overlay apps for Android devices.
If the problem is sufficiently problematic, it is possible to obtain tinted glasses through a qualified Irlen diagnostician, who can be found through the Irlen website (http://irlen.com).
We are currently in the process of setting up various community sites that will provide access to the self-screening kits. Once we have enough set up, we will hold various screening events and list information on the Urbanites website, http://ulppr.org.
We also have a Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/IrlenCS/. Please visit our page, like us and spread the word to your network. Thank you.
Background
Based upon several studies, it is estimated that approximately 10-12% of the population likely have Irlen Syndrome, which can make reading difficult.
Irlen Syndrome (IS), also known as Meares-Irlen Syndrome, Scotopic Sensitivity Syndrome, and Visual Stress, is a visual processing issue. It is not an optical issue. It is an inability of the visual processing system to focus on print vs. the white background on most text or computer screens. Consequently, print on a white background is hard to read. Words may be skewed or seem to be moving on the page. People with IS often skip lines, have to reread lines, lose their place easily, are easily distracted, cannot read for long periods of time, get headaches, their eyes get watery, have to blink or squint often while reading, use their fingers to track, and feel restless when reading.
Irlen website, http://irlen.com
The website contains a lot of information and resources.
There are several online screening tools that can be used to identify if Irlen is likely.
You can also find a licensed diagnostician through the website and purchase related products.
We are not associated with Irlen Institute, but are making information and self-screening tools available to anyone in Colorado Springs as a public service.
Irlen Syndrome is somewhat controversial, but there is a significant body of research supporting the claims made by the company. One of the founders of TRSM met a nationally recognized neruro-scientist who has done independent research and strongly believes in the concept, Dr. Jeffrey Lewine of the Mind Research Network at the University of New Mexico.
In collaboration with Dr. Lewine, we have participated in screening staff and students at several schools in Albuquerque, New Mexico and have first hand experience that strongly suggests the condition and solution is real.
Introduction by Dr. Jeffrey Lewine, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5stzPGrthYc.
Self-screening
In collaboration with the Urbanites Leading the Pikes Peak Region, we recently received two grants that allow us to purchase color overlays in bulk to create an inventory for Colorado Springs, Colorado.
We are working to establish screening sites around the community to make it convenient for interested people to be able to self screen and purchase overlays affordably.
You can go to the Irlen website above to take their self screening assessments online, or you can click on the following link to download a version of the Irlen short questionnaire.
Irlen Short Questionnaire
Review the questions for yourself or your child in first grade or older.
If enough symptoms are identified, please feel free to visit one of the community screening sites to take the next step to self screen using a sample of the available color overlays.
Ten different colored overlays are placed individually over a page of print on white background and the person determines if any of the colors help to solve the problem. It takes about five to ten minutes to do this level of screening.
If a particular color overlay helps to mitigate the problem, a person can use that overlay to help while reading. If the problem is present on computer screens, it is possible to tape an overlay to the screen or buy a colored cling sheet that will stick to the screen. Sometimes it is possible to change the background on the screen. There are colored digital overlay apps for Android devices.
If the problem is sufficiently problematic, it is possible to obtain tinted glasses through a qualified Irlen diagnostician, who can be found through the Irlen website (http://irlen.com).
We are currently in the process of setting up various community sites that will provide access to the self-screening kits. Once we have enough set up, we will hold various screening events and list information on the Urbanites website, http://ulppr.org.
We also have a Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/IrlenCS/. Please visit our page, like us and spread the word to your network. Thank you.