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LD Teaching Strategies for Your Classroom: ReadingSteve Schmidtschmidtsj@appstate.eduabspd.appstate.eduIrlen Syndrome “Irlen Syndrome is a perceptual processing disorder caused by the brain's inability to process specific wavelengths of light. Around 50% of children and adults with reading, learning, or attention problems have Irlen Syndrome.What Causes Irlen Syndrome?“Medical research has shown that this type of perceptual problem appears to be caused by a defect in one of the visual pathways that carries messages from the eye to the brain. This defect causes a timing fault in processing visual information. Filtering out specific wave lengths of light helps the pathway to function normally.Irlen Reading Issues“Reading difficulties related to Irlen Syndrome cannot be explained by phonetic deficits or by a weak sight vocabulary. Problems most often occur under conditions of bright lighting, fluorescent lighting, black/white contrast, and continued performance. For individuals with Irlen Syndrome print may not be clear, stable or comfortable. As a result, reading can be slow and inefficient leading to skipping of words or lines, rereading, or poor comprehension.Dyslexia and Irlen Syndrome“As many as half of the children and adults with perceptual processing problems are misdiagnosed with dyslexia. These individuals can be helped by the Irlen Method.“There are as many reasons for dyslexia and inability to read as there are different types of headaches. Often, a diagnosis of dyslexia assumes that children have difficulty with phonics. But when words jiggle, move, or disappear or when letters look like ants moving across the page, reading is so difficult that these children are labeled “dyslexic.” For these children and adults, the Irlen Method can help.Irlen Related Reading Problem SignsPoor ComprehensionMisreads wordsReads in dim lightSkips words or linesReads slowly or hesitantlyTakes frequent breaksLoses placeAvoids readingComplaints While ReadingTired or sleepyEyes hurt, ache, or feel itchyHeadaches or nauseaFidgety or restlessOther SignsRubs eyesSquintsBlinksOpens eyes wideReads close to the pageMoves closer or further from the pageHelping Students with Irlen SyndromeColored Overlays Overlays are plastic covered sheets students can put over what they read to filter out the wavelengths the brain is having trouble processing. Many students prefer the light blue overlay. Other ideas include:Use dimmer lightReplace fluorescent lights with natural light, such as light from a windowUse colored paper for copies and handoutsWear a dark color cap, visor or sunglasses to block out fluorescent light For computer use:Adjust brightness on computer screen monitorsTape colored overlays over the screenChange the background color on the desktop and in Microsoft WordSource: website found at: National Institute for Literacy (2010). Learning to achieve. Washington DC: US Government Printing Office. Payne, N. (1994). Building learning power for children and adults who have special learning needs: A Collection of instructional strategies & adjustments. Olympia WA: Payne and Associates. ................
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