1. The Color Connection Helping Light Sensitivity, Glare, Contrast, and Print Visibility The Irlen Method Helen L. Irlen, MA, LMFT Irleninstitute@irlen.comwww.irlen.com

2. Helen Irlen, MA, LMFT School Psychologist School Psychologist Licensed Therapist Licensed Therapist Board Certified Professional Counselor Board Certified Professional Counselor Adult Learning Disability Specialist Adult Learning Disability Specialist Educational Therapist Educational Therapist Irlen Institute International HQ Irlen Institute International HQ

3. Irlen Institute International HQ Irlen Institute Irlen Institute International HQ International HQ Long Beach, CA Long Beach, CA Testing and Training Testing and Training 133 Irlen Test Centers 133 Irlen Test Centers 5,000 Irlen Screeners 5,000 Irlen Screeners www.irlen.com www.irlen.com www.irlen.com Irleninstitute@irlen.com Irleninstitute@irlen.com

4. The Use of tinted lenses for those with low vision Corning photochromic filters Corning photochromic filters Comfort and visual performance for ocular disorders Comfort and visual performance for ocular disorders Filter 95-98% of blue light Filter 95-98% of blue light UV Shield and NoIR filters UV Shield and NoIR filters Glare and photophobia Glare and photophobia Nonscientific manner of prescribing Nonscientific manner of prescribing

5. Research: Tinted Lenses for those with Low Vision Substantial research has failed to prove any consistent benefit Substantial research has failed to prove any consistent benefit Problems: low vision not homogeneous group Problems: low vision not homogeneous group Do Tinted Lenses or filters improve visual performance in low vision? A review of the literature by Eperjes, Fowler, and Evans, Opthal. Physiol. Opt. 2002 Do Tinted Lenses or filters improve visual performance in low vision? A review of the literature by Eperjes, Fowler, and Evans, Opthal. Physiol. Opt. 2002

6. Enhance Your Ability to Function Contrary to popular belief Contrary to popular belief Children and adults with low vision vary in their need for color Children and adults with low vision vary in their need for color This needs to be determined on an individual basis This needs to be determined on an individual basis

7. The Irlen Method Irlen Colored Overlays Irlen Colored Overlays Irlen Spectral Filters Irlen Spectral Filters Environmental Modifications Environmental Modifications

9. Visually Impaired & Blind 67-71% are bothered by 67-71% are bothered by Lighting, glare, contrast sensitivity, depth perception, visual distortions, strain & discomfort Lighting, glare, contrast sensitivity, depth perception, visual distortions, strain & discomfort Association between color and light Association between color and light Function of the eye to transmit information Function of the eye to transmit information Function of the brain to read and interpret visual information Function of the brain to read and interpret visual information

10. Irlen Correct Problems of Light Sensitivity & Glare Light Sensitivity & Glare Stress & Strain Stress & Strain Visual Distortions Visual Distortions Visual Acuity Visual Acuity Adaptation Time Adaptation Time Visual Performance Visual Performance Field of Vision Field of Vision Headaches & Discomfort Headaches & Discomfort Contrast Sensitivity Contrast Sensitivity

11. Low Vision Client “I tried all the recommendations from the Braille Institute for glasses that block out light with little success.” “I tried all the recommendations from the Braille Institute for glasses that block out light with little success.” “Now that I am wearing Irlen Spectral Filters, I no longer experience the flashing of light, headaches, dizziness, fatigue, and nausea.” Nick “Now that I am wearing Irlen Spectral Filters, I no longer experience the flashing of light, headaches, dizziness, fatigue, and nausea.” Nick

12. Fritz Steiner, Director for the Institute for the Visually Impaired “Nearly 60% of the visually impaired I have tested have benefited from the use of Irlen Spectral Filters. “Nearly 60% of the visually impaired I have tested have benefited from the use of Irlen Spectral Filters. Nearly all reported greater eye comfort, less muscle tension, greater ability to do visual work and decreased disturbance from reduced contrast.” Nearly all reported greater eye comfort, less muscle tension, greater ability to do visual work and decreased disturbance from reduced contrast.”

13. The Irlen Method Federal Grant Federal Grant Adult students Adult students 1980-1985 1980-1985 Ask Questions Ask Questions Visual Processing Visual Processing Inherited or Acquired Inherited or Acquired

14. What is Irlen Syndrome Not visual Not visual Not corrected with glasses Not corrected with glasses Not identified by vision tests Not identified by vision tests Continuum of difficulty Continuum of difficulty

15. Difficulties Related to Irlen Syndrome Light Sensitivity: fluorescent lights, bright lights, glare, night blindness Light Sensitivity: fluorescent lights, bright lights, glare, night blindness Physical Symptoms: dizziness, fatigue, headaches/migraines, stomachaches Physical Symptoms: dizziness, fatigue, headaches/migraines, stomachaches Academic Difficulties: Academic Difficulties: reading, handwriting, spelling, math, geometry, composition writing, note taking, copying, and reading maps reading, handwriting, spelling, math, geometry, composition writing, note taking, copying, and reading maps

16. Difficulties Related to Irlen Syndrome Difficulties using whiteboards, Difficulties using whiteboards, Computer Screens Computer Screens IPads IPads overheads, books, music, scantron sheets overheads, books, music, scantron sheets

17. The Mind-Body-Learning Connection

19. Balancing Brain Functioning Brain is the most complex organ Brain is the most complex organ  100 billion neurons  Trillion supporting cells Brain involved in everything you do Brain involved in everything you do  Thinking FeelingActing Brain works right-you work right Brain works right-you work right Brain doesn’t work right-you cannot Brain doesn’t work right-you cannot Everyone’s brain is different Everyone’s brain is different

20. Stress Environmental Stimuli ReactionStress Environmental stimuli can place demands which exceed the brain’s ability to cope.

21. The Environment Can Trigger Stress Affecting Brain’s Activity Brain’s Activity Emotions Emotions Immune System Immune System Health & Well Being Health & Well Being Performance Performance

22. Environmental Stressors Lighting Lighting Glare Glare Bright Color Bright Color High Contrast High Contrast

23. Mind-Body-Learning Connection Environment & Visual Activities can cause over and under activation Environment & Visual Activities can cause over and under activation Causing imbalance and changes in Causing imbalance and changes in Brain Autonomic NS (neurotransmitters) Endocrine System (hormonal) Suppresses Immune System

25. SPECT Scans without and with Irlen Spectral Filters

26. Spect Scans without and with Irlen Spectral Filters BeforeAfter

27. Populations Headaches/ Migraines Headaches/ Migraines Dizziness, Stomachaches Dizziness, Stomachaches ADD/HD ADD/HD Anxiety Anxiety Autism/Aspergers Autism/Aspergers Light-Induced Epilepsy Light-Induced Epilepsy Depression, OCD Depression, OCD TBI, Concussion, Whip Lash TBI, Concussion, Whip Lash Stroke Victims Stroke Victims Auto Immune Auto Immune CFS CFS Diabetes Diabetes Multiple Sclerosis Multiple Sclerosis Cerebral Palsy Cerebral Palsy Spina Bifida Spina Bifida Parkinson’s Disease Parkinson’s Disease Fibromyalgia Fibromyalgia Viral Illnesses Viral Illnesses Hydrocephalus Hydrocephalus Myasthenia Gravis Myasthenia Gravis Diseases/ Impairments Diseases/ Impairments Low Vision Low Vision Medical Visual Diseases

28. ENVIRONMENT Lighting Contrast Patterns Colors The Mind-Body-Learning Connection Cortisol Serotonin Dopamine Hormone PERCEPTUAL STRESS VISUAL ACTIVITIES Reading Writing Copying Computer Use Changes in Automatic System Endocrine System Immune System Neuropeptide System Changes in Brain Chemistry Learning, reading, emotional, behavioral, or attitude problems ADD/HD Dyslexia Conduct Disorders Psychologically Disturbed Physical symptoms (headache, migraine, fatigue, dizziness, stomachaches, eye strain, anxiety, irritability) Attention & concentration Learning (hypo/hyper sensitivity) Sensory integration Depth perception Vulnerability to stress Diminished cognitive reserves PROBLEMS

29. Carol Baroudi, author of the best selling book, The Internet For Dummies “Irlen Spectral Filters have profoundly changed my life. My visual acuity is a full line better on eye charts. My eyes now move smoothly across a page. I can read for hours without eye fatigue and with greater ease.” “Irlen Spectral Filters have profoundly changed my life. My visual acuity is a full line better on eye charts. My eyes now move smoothly across a page. I can read for hours without eye fatigue and with greater ease.”

30. Stargardts Disease With my Irlen Filters I saw my daughter for the first time. The feeling of joy when a mother sees her baby for the first time after 4 years is something so powerful words are not sufficient to describe it. With my Irlen Filters I saw my daughter for the first time. The feeling of joy when a mother sees her baby for the first time after 4 years is something so powerful words are not sufficient to describe it. After one week things have never looked better. The comfort in my eyes is indescribable. I can see so much more. After one week things have never looked better. The comfort in my eyes is indescribable. I can see so much more. Irlen Filters have given me back some my independence and confidence. Cassandra Irlen Filters have given me back some my independence and confidence. Cassandra

31. Modifications Lighting Lighting Reduce lighting Reduce lighting Incandescent or indirect natural lighting Incandescent or indirect natural lighting Warm white tubes, and SPX 2700 tubes Warm white tubes, and SPX 2700 tubes Gels over fluorescent http://www.rosco.com/us/filters/cinegel. asp Gels over fluorescent http://www.rosco.com/us/filters/cinegel. asp Visor or brimmed hat Visor or brimmed hat

32. Modifications Paper Paper Recycled, off-white, non-glare Recycled, off-white, non-glare Different colors for different people Different colors for different people Computer/Overhead Projector Computer/Overhead Projector Use colored overlays Use colored overlays Whiteboards Whiteboards Gray or brown Gray or brown Colored marker Colored marker Write in columns Write in columns

33. Reading Modifications Irlen Spectral Filters Colored overlays Visor/brimmed hat Bookstand Avoid fluorescent lighting

34. Test Modifications Tests duplicated on colored paper Tests duplicated on colored paper Colored plastic overlays Colored plastic overlays Scantron answer sheets Scantron answer sheets Score on Test Score on Test Use a ruler Use a ruler Duplicate on colored paper Duplicate on colored paper Natural lighting Natural lighting

35. Irlen Spectral Filters Lenses Lenses Contact Lenses Contact Lenses

36. Resources www.irlen.com www.irlen.com Reading by the Colors by Helen Irlen Reading by the Colors by Helen Irlen The Irlen Revolution by Helen Irlen The Irlen Revolution by Helen Irlen RBC audio tape RBC audio tape Irlen CD Rom Irlen CD Rom

37. Follow Irlen http://irlen.com/inde x.php?s=videos http://irlen.com/inde x.php?s=videos http://irlen.com/inde x.php?s=videos http://irlen.com/inde x.php?s=videos Irlen NewsAlert Irlen NewsAlert Facebook Page: Facebook Page: www.Facebook.com/th eirleninstitute www.Facebook.com/th eirleninstitute Twitter: Twitter: www.Twitter.com/SeeI rlen www.Twitter.com/SeeI rlen YouTube: YouTube: www.YouTube.com/Irle nInstitute www.YouTube.com/Irle nInstitute

38. “ The real voyage of discovery is not in seeing new directions but in having new eyes.” Marcel Proust