Scotopic Sensitivity

Scotopic Sensitivity/Irlen Syndrome (SSS) is a perceptual problem that prevents an estimated 10-12% of the population from being able to learn, read, or study efficiently. Until now, it has baffled educators and the scientific community because it remains undetected by standard educational, visual, and medical tests.

Individuals with SSS perceive the printed page and sometimes their environment differently. They must constantly make adaptation or compensate. Individuals may be unaware of the extra energy and effort they are putting into reading and perceiving.

Individuals with SSS may read slowly or inefficiently or have poor reading comprehension, strain, or fatigue. SSS can also affect attention span, listening, energy level, motivation, work production, and mental health.

Individuals with SSS may be viewed as underachievers or as having behavior, attitude, or motivational problems. This problem can coexist with other learning difficulties. Some people diagnosed with learning difficulties, dyslexia, or ADD may be, in addition, also suffering from SSS.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS?

Light Sensitivity

Bothered by glare, fluorescent lights, bright lights, sunlight, or driving at night. Discomfort or difficulty concentrating or working under bright lights or fluorescent lights.

Inefficient Reading

Difficulty reading print, numbers, or musical notes. Problems may include print that shifts, shakes, blurs, moves, doubles, disappears, or becomes difficult to perceive.

Slow Reading Rate

Inability to read letters, numbers, musical notes, or words in groups. This results in problems tracking, correctly identifying words, or the ability to skim or speed read.

Attention Deficit

Problems concentrating while reading or doing school work. May have difficulty staying on task, takes breaks, looks away, becomes restless, fidgety, or tired.

Strain or Fatigue

Feeling strain, tension, fatigue, sleepy, or headaches with reading and other perceptual activities. Strain can interfere with the ease of reading, studying, or even listening.

Poor Depth Perception

Inability to accurately judge distance or spatial relationships. May be unsure or have difficulty with such things as escalators, stairs, ball sports, or driving.

THE IRLEN METHOD

The patented Irlen Treatment Method uses precision tinted filters, worn as glasses (or colored overlays), to reduce or eliminate perception difficulties and light sensitivity An intensive diagnostic assessment determines the beneficial filter color from an almost limitless number of color combinations.

Since 1983, the Irlen Method has gained increasing support as a result of worldwide research and testing. Research at renowned universities has indicated that the difficulty may lie in the brain's ability to accurately process information. Looking through color may correct this difficulty by altering the timing by which visual information is received and processed. Hundreds of thousands of people worldwide have been helped by the Irlen Method.

RESULTS

· Improved reading accuracy

· Better comprehension

· Increased reading speed

· Reduced strain and fatigue

· Improved academic performance

· Improved self-esteem

· Better sports performance

· More effective study time

In addition to periodic re-evaluations, a complete treatment program may need to include remediation or other interventions to correct coexisting reading problems and learning difficulties.

READING CHARACTERISTICS

· Poor comprehension

· Skips words or lines

· Reads slowly or hesitantly

· Takes breaks

· Loses place

· Avoids reading

· Reads in dim lighting

· Misreads words

COMPLAINTS WHILE READING

· Strain or fatigue

· Tired or sleepy

· Headaches or nausea

· Fidgety or restless

WRITING CHARACTERISTICS

· Trouble copying

· Unequal spacing

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS

· Strain or fatigue from computer use

· Difficulty reading music

· Sloppy, careless math errors

· Misaligned numbers in columns

· Ineffective use of study time

DEPTH PERCEPTION

· Clumsiness

· Difficulty catching balls

· Difficulty judging distance

· Difficulty accurately perceiving the environment

Answering yes to three or more of these indicators may make you a good candidate who could be helped by the Irlen Method

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