Download the Irlen Quick Test here: Word Document PDF File
A four page questionaire which can help determine if you are a good candidate for further testing and treatment.

Irlen Syndrome, or Scotopic Sensitivity Syndrome, was first identified by Educational Psychologist Helen Irlen while she was working with adult learners in the early 1980's.  Until described in her book, Reading by the Colors (Avery Press, 1991), there was no explanation or treatment for this perceptual disorder, and many people with this disorder would be misdiagnosed as dyslexic or slow learners.  In 1991, Dr. Margaret S. Livingstone of Harvard Medical School published research which offered a medical explanation for this disorder.

    Individuals with Irlen Syndrome perceive the printed page and sometimes their environment differently.  They must constantly make adaptation or compensate.  Individuals are often unaware of the extra energy and effort they are putting into reading and perception.

    Reading may be slow and inefficient, or there may be poor comprehension, strain, or fatigue.  It can also affect attention span, listening, energy level, motivation, work production, and mental health.

    People with Irlen Syndrome are often seen as underachievers or having behavioral, attitude or motivational problems. These problems can also coexist with other learning problems, such as attention deficit disorder, dyslexia, or autism. Treatment for Irlen Syndrome can alleviate many of the symptoms of these disorders in many cases.
 
 

What are the signs of Irlen Syndrome?

    The following is a short excerpt from the Irlen Survey form, used to determine if screening for Irlen Syndrome is advisable. The full version (5 pages) can be dowloaded here: Word Document PDF File

    If someone answers yes to 3 or more of the following questions, there is a good chance that they are affected by Irlen Syndrome, and they should be tested by a qualified Irlen Screener to find out for certain if they are affected and learn about treatment.  More information about screening can be found at the bottom of this page.

Do you skip words or lines while reading?

Do you lose your place or reread lines?

Does reading make you tired?

Do you need to take frequent breaks while reading?

Do you find yourself blinking or squinting when you read?

Do your eyes hurt, or get watery or dry?

Do you prefer to read in dim light?

Do you find you head moves closer to the page as you read?

Do you use your finger or other markers to help you read?

Does reading get harder the longer you do it?

Do you get restless or fidgety when reading?

Are you easily distracted when you read?

Do you find it hard to remember what you have just read?

Do you try to avoid reading?

Words appear blurry, or appear to shift on the page

Bothered by bright, glossy paper when reading

Headaches or nausea while reading

Trouble copying or unequal spacing when writing

Problems with depth perception, e.g. catching balls

What is the Cause of Irlen Syndrome, and Why do Colors Help?

   In the visual system, there are two separate visual processing pathways, the Magnocellular, or Fast, and the Parvocellular, or Slow.  The Fast pathway does not see colours, and is responsible for discerning movement, depth, and high contrast images.  The Slow pathway determines colour, fine details and resolves low contrast images.  The Fast pathway is also responsible for inhibiting the slow pathway when the eyes are moved, so that the image of what was previously being looked at does not persist.  It appears that in people with Irlen Syndrome, the Fast pathway is disabled to some extent.  This seems to affect the ability of the Fast pathway to inhibit the Slow pathway, which in turn results in images persisting when the eyes are moved, sending overlapping images to the brain. In severe cases, when the brain tries to interpret these images, it gets tricked into seeing things that aren't there, causing letters to move on the page, blur, or form strange patterns. In less severe cases, the brain expends more energy in interpreting the images than normal, causing headaches, eyestrain, and/or fatigue, and the problems generally get worse the longer a person tries to read.

    Bright lights, fluorescent lights, or glossy paper will often make the problems worse, as the increased contrast will increase the problem of persistent images.  The problem manifests itself most strongly when reading words or music, because of the repetitive patterns on the page. The patterns of words on the page and persistent images when the eyes scan across the page will jumble in a manner that is difficult for the brain to interpret properly. The Irlen Method screens the individual with a wide array of colour filters, to find the most suitable colour.  The colour filters act by blocking some of the light which would normally activate the Slow visual pathway, in effect taking over the inhibitory role of the Fast pathway, and this appears to reduce or eliminate the persistent images.  This stops the confusing signals being sent to the brain, and the person will see the page more normally and easily.  The treatment will also help individuals who experience other problems, such as depth perception or night driving difficulties.
 
 

Treatment and Results

Reading & Writing Consultants is now also the Irlen Centre-Alberta. We handle both Screening and Irlen Lens Assesment. For more information, phone (780) 439-8120, fax (780) 492-8457 or e-mail reading@telusplanet.net.  We are happy to answer specific questions about Irlen Syndrome.

 To find a screener in your area, go to The Irlen Institute screeners list, where they list screeners and centers around the world.

 For more information on Irlen Syndrome and other reading disorders, try the following pages:

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