The Irlen Method

1
The Brain Color Light Sensitivity

• The Irlen Method
• By Helen L. Irlen, MA, LMFT
• www.irlen.com

2
Helen Irlen, MA, LMFT

• Irlen Institute
• International HQ
• Long Beach, CA
• www.irlen.com
• Irleninstitute_at_irlen.com

3
The Irlen Method

• Irlen Colored Overlays
• Irlen Spectral Filters

4
Color to correct problems of

• Light Sensitivity
• Glare
• Stress Strain
• Visual Distortions
• Visual Acuity

• Adaptation Time
• Visual Performance
• Field of Vision
• Headaches Discomfort
• Contrast Sensitivity

5
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 all reported greater eye comfort, less
  muscle tension, greater ability to do visual
  work, and decreased disturbance from reduced
  contrast.

6
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.

7

• 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

8
Research

• Corning photochromic filters
• Comfort and visual performance for ocular
  disorders
• Filter 95-98 of blue light
• UV Shield and NoIR filters
• Glare and photophobia
• Nonscientific manner of prescribing

9
Enhance Your Ability to Function

• Contrary to popular belief
• Children and adults with low vision vary in their
  need for color
• This needs to be determined on an individual
  basis

10
Visually Impaired

• 67-71 light sensitivity
• Glare, contrast sensitivity, depth perception,
  visual distortions, strain discomfort
• Association between color and light
• Function of the eye to transmit information
• Function of the brain to read and interpret
  visual information

11
(No Transcript)
12
What is Stress?

• Environmental Stimuli
• Reaction
• Stress
• Environmental stimuli can place demands which
  exceed the brains ability to cope.

13
(No Transcript)
14
The Irlen Syndrome
Environmental Stressors

• Lighting
• Glare
• Bright Color
• High Contrast

• Patterns and Stripes
• Details
• Sustained Attention
• Continuous Performance

15
Activities as Stressors

• Looking, Listening
• Reading, Math
• Writing, Copying
• Scantron Answer Sheets
• Computer, TV, Movies
• Other visually-intensive activities

16
Brain Visual Cortex

• Brain is the most complex organ
• 100 billion neurons
• Trillion supporting cells
• Brain involved in everything you do
• Thinking Feeling Acting
• Brain works right-you work right
• Brain doesnt work right-you cannot

17
Brain Systems

• Prefrontal Cortex attention, organization,
  impulse, and mood control
• Anerior Cingulate Gyrus gear shifter
• Basal Ganglia movement and anxiety
• Thalamus integrator
• Temporal Lobes mood, memory, learning
• Parietal Lobes sensory and direction
• Occipital Lobes vision
• Cerebellum processing speed

18
Mind-Body-Learning Connection

• Environment Visual Activities can cause
  over-stimulation
• Imbalance and changes
• Brain
• Autonomic NS
• Endocrine System
• Immune System
• Neuropeptide System

19
(No Transcript)
20
The real voyage of discovery is not in seeing
new directions but in having new eyes. Marcel
Proust
21
(No Transcript)
22
Irlen Symptoms

• Physical Symptoms
• Headaches and migraines
• Dizziness
• Stomachaches
• Anxiety, nervousness and/or irritability
• Strain and discomfort
• Fatigue

23
(No Transcript)
24
Irlen Symptoms

• Poor Attending/Listening Skills
• Sensory Integration Difficulties
• Poor Depth Perception
• Distractibility
• Night Blindness

25
Problems

• Light sensitivity visual fragmentation
• Reading and learning
• Behavior, attitude, or emotional problems
• ADD/HD
• Physical symptoms
• Small motor and gross motor integration
• Depth perception sensory integration
• Neurological fragmentation

26
Populations

• Learning Reading Problems
• Dyslexia, ADHD, LD
• Blind Visually Impaired
• Emotional Problems
• Depression
• Anxiety Disorder
• OCD
• Conduct Disorders and Behavior Problems

27
Populations
Medical
Diseases

• Auto Immune
• CFS
• Diabetes
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Cerebral Palsy
• Spina Bifida
• Parkinsons Disease
• Fibromyalgia
• Viral Illnesses
• Hydrocephalus
• Myasthenia Gravis

• Headaches/ Migraines
• Dizziness, Stomachaches
• ADD/HD
• Anxiety
• Autism/Aspergers
• Light-Induced Epilepsy
• Depression, OCD
• TBI, Concussion, Whip Lash
• Stroke Victims

Visual

• Diseases/ Impairments
• Low Vision

28
The Mind-Body-Learning Connection
ENVIRONMENT Lighting Contrast Patterns
Colors
VISUAL ACTIVITIES Reading Writing Copying
Computer Use
PERCEPTUAL STRESS
Changes in Automatic System Endocrine
System Immune System Neuropeptide System
Cortisol Serotonin Dopamine Hormone
Changes in Brain Chemistry
PROBLEMS
PROBLEMS
Learning, reading, emotional, behavioral, or
attitude problems ADD/HD Dyslexia Conduct
Disorders Psychologically Disturbed
1. Physical symptoms (headache, migraine,
fatigue, dizziness, stomachaches, eye strain,
sinus congestion) 2. Attention concentration 3.
Learning (hypo/hyper sensitivity)
4. Sensory integration 5. Depth perception 6.
Suppressive immune system 7. Distractions
misconceptions
29
Color Intervention

• Improve Perception
• Decrease Physical Symptoms
• Increase Calmness and General Well-Being
• Increase ability to handle paper work, complete
  reading and work assignments, and participate in
  daily activities
• Increase Social Skills
• Increase likelihood of appropriate reactions to
  difficult situations
• Improves Social Network
• Increase sense of competency
• Increase feelings of self-worth

30
Resources Related Links

• Reading by the Colors by Helen Irlen
• The Irlen Revolution by Helen Irlen
• RBC audio tape
• Irlen CD Rom
• The Light Barrier
• by Rhonda Stone

31
Resources

• Irlen International Newsletter
• Irlen National and Intl Conferences
• www.irlen.com and other Irlen websites
• Irlen CD
• Facebook
• YouTube Irlen
• Reading By The Colors by Helen Irlen
• The Light Barrier by Rhonda Stone
• The Irlen Revolution A Guide to Changing Your
  Perception and Your Life by Helen Irlen

32
Online Resources

• Youtube Videos Irlen
• ABC World News
• http//www.youtube.com/watch?vGB8zRaLzr1M
• Teenager
• Irlen Syndrome A Teen's Summary
• Optical Illusions