im posting this here too as i dont want the link to be lost in the thread, for anyone who wants to know about the overlays and how they 'work'

Only registered users can see links on this forum! Register or Login on forum!

think this gives a background and how the overlays work,and Meares Irlen syndrome like i said im not an expert but was advised and spoke at length to the borough specialist teacher about dyslexia quite often! but from reading the information it seems that it is not linked to dyslexia, but may be another strategy to try.

and another link with some information

Only registered users can see links on this forum! Register or Login on forum!

For information

Meares-Irlen Syndrome

Possible characteristics of Meares-Irlen Syndrome – sometimes referred to as Scotopic Sensitivity

• Reader experiences visual disturbance or distortion when looking at a page of print.
• Movement, jumping, flickering and/or blurring of letters.
• Difficulty seeing print clearly, especially black print on a white background.
• Words doubling.
• Shadowy lines/shapes or coloured fringes to letters.
• The black print on white paper produces symptoms of visual discomfort/eye strain/eyes watering/itching or burning/blinking and possible headaches.
• Sensitivity to bright light, especially fluorescent light.

These symptoms could be due to a need for glasses or visual training exercises, so a full eye examination should be carried out first before an assessment for response to coloured overlays and lenses.

Possible ways of detecting adults with Meares-Irlen Syndrome

Observation
• Often experience difficulties learning to read printed text and hand written work.
• Headaches/eye strain from prolonged reading.
• Excessive blinking/rubbing, or watering of eyes as a result of reading.
• Reporting movement/jumping of letters and/or words/blurring/distortion of print.
• Difficulty seeing print clearly, especially black on white background.
• Reporting glare from white paper making reading uncomfortable.
• Frequently loses their place.
• Re-reads words/lines of print.
• Poor concentration during reading/writing activities.
• Sensitivity to bright light, especially fluorescent lighting.

Useful things to try
• Experiment with different coloured overlays to see if they stabilise the print.
• The effect of a single colour may wear off after a time and there may be a need to try others.
• If one colour seems to work consistently over a period of time, it may be worth considering a full assessment for coloured lenses by a specialist optometrist or ophthalmologist or a local Irlen Centre.
• Reading in a dim light may help.
• Printing text onto coloured paper may reduce the problem.
• Explore different colours of paper with the learner.
• Use a plain piece of card or finger to track the words, keep the place or follow a line of text.
• Use a clear or coloured A5 sheet of acetate with a line drawn across it to put over the page to track the line of print or mark the place within a piece of text.
• Cut a window in a piece of card to highlight the line of text (see Access for All, p.145 for guidance on making coloured acetate overlays).
• When producing handouts consider:
o preferred style and size of fonts
o line spacing
o justified left and unjustified right margins
o constant spaces between words.

thanks dq,
I had read that and liked the idea of using an overlay with a line on it to help with reading.

I am interested to find out if there was any other practical ideas people have discovered along the way that have helped. I have also heard that it is possible to change backgrounds on interactive whiteboards to make them easier to read, although if you have two pupils who need different colours I wonder how that would work?!

Also, apparently, some schools have traded in white paper altogether and use cream for everyting as this is far easier for all to read.

In Year 3 we test all the children with coloured overlays. It is wonderful to see how much some children are helped by being able to read clearly at last. In my current class, two boys are now writing in green pen as well, and their handwriting and work has improved significantly.

This company has overlays of all colours and different formats, and even has a virtual overlay to use on the computer!

Only registered users can see links on this forum! Register or Login on forum!

We did change the background of the smartboard last year buttercup to suit a child with Merles, but now we have 2 one with a rose coloured overlay, one with blue, so its a bit difficult to set it up for both of them.


There is a company called crossbow education that does tinted eye level reading rulers, i use them all the time with children who seem to have this sort of problem.
although the selection of colours are pretty basic, i have found they work well with the children.

sorry if link has been postd before.

Only registered users can see links on this forum! Register or Login on forum!

Thanks for those replies. My problem is that my own daughter has been screened but I have found it very difficult to find info on irlens.All the websites are quite general. I'm just a bit frustrated at the moment as she has no OFFICIAL diagnosed as school is obviously unable to do that- I happen to be in the position that I also work in the school so am able to put a name to the screening process.
I would be interested to know if anyone knows anything more other than overlays etc?

might not be much help buttercup, but

Only registered users can see links on this forum! Register or Login on forum!

thank you, looks interesting.