Massachusetts and Irlen

This is so pathetic. The Education Commissioner for the state of Massachussetts recommended in March of 2004 that school districts screen for "Irlen/Scotopic Sensitivity Syndrome" in a bid to improve Massachussett's reading scores. The problem is, I/SSS doesn't seem to exist.

Policy Statement: Learning Disabilities, Dyslexia, and Vision, which is a Joint Statement of the American Academy of Pediatrics, American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus, and American Academy of Ophthalmology, reads in part:

Policy
Learning disabilities are common conditions in pediatric patients. The etiology of these difficulties is multifactorial, reflecting genetic influences and abnormalities of brain structure and function. Early recognition and referral to qualified educational professionals are critical for the best possible outcome. Visual problems are rarely responsible for learning difficulties. No scientific evidence exists for the efficacy of eye exercises ("vision therapy") or the use of special tinted lenses in the remediation of these complex pediatric neurological conditions. 

What made Commissioner Driscoll recommend a wonky "intervention?" Desperation.

Reading deficiencies are a major concern in our state. Although the math performance of Massachusetts students has improved on the national level, recent MCAS scores for English indicate that a significant number of our children are not achieving at expected levels. One innovative program that has indicated promise in helping some of these students is screening for Irlen Syndrome.

Turning to debunked theories is about as sensible as commissioning the public schools to screen for signs of a satanic cult operating in the neighborhood.

No, there is no evidence of satanic cults. No, there is no evidence that "Scotopic Sensitivity Syndrome" exists. The Education Commissioner should have investigated before recommending it--I am sure he feels stupid now. His spokesperson, Heidi Perlman, said the state didn't know there was controversy about the Irlen Method when Driscoll sent his memo.

This is not the first time Perlman's been clueless for the boss. The "snow day" controversy also revealed the shameless lack of thought in the Education Department. Perlman, though, was an education reporter until 2001--you'd think she'd know something that would have clued her in that Irlen is...controversial. But maybe she's too busy thinking up ways to shine up Massachussett's high school graduation rate

Somebody over at the Department of Education needs to do learn how to use a search engine on the internet. Personally, I use Google. Searching "Irlen Controversy"--the very first article was posted in 2000: Today's Parent

In spite of this wide body of anecdotal evidence, Irlen syndrome is surrounded with controversy.... However, the idea has gained little acceptance among ophthalmologists and optometrists (Irlen diagnosticians require a full eye and medical exam before assessment). It is also viewed with skepticism by some academics.

There is my post, and there are some entries from the Irlen camp. Then there is an article from the Learning Disabilities Resource Community:

In some respects, the legitimacy of coloured filters and overlays as an LD treatment depends on the legitimacy of SSS. Although Irlen and proponents of her method routinely refer to SSS as though it were an accepted medical syndrome, many experts question its validity. Some insist that the concept be rejected altogether on the grounds that it lacks scientific credibility. The derivation, definition, diagnosis, and even the name of SSS have all been subject to criticism.

The semantic basis for "scotopic sensitivity syndrome" is questionable in many respects. "Scotopic vision" and "scotopic sensitivity" refer to processes of the visual system involving highly light sensitive retinal receptors called "rods". However, symptoms of SSS occur during reading which occurs under normal illumination and involves detail sensitive "cone" receptors. While Irlen insists that SSS is a coined term with a different meaning she does not explain why she chose this seemingly unsuitable label.

For many, the problem goes far beyond that of semantics. Hoyt (1990) and others maintain that "scotopic sensitivity syndrome" is not a recognized medical syndrome and consists merely of a group of vague and nonspecific symptoms derived from anecdotal accounts. To this day, there are no clearly established criteria for SSS. The only defining characteristic is a reported benefit of coloured filters while reading.

The Commissioner could have asked people who have been successfully educating kids with learning disabilities. This is what he would have found out:

Are there theory-based reasons why The Greenwood School, and many other remedial schools, have not shown much interest in other colored overlay programs created to assist poor readers?

Since direct language teaching is both supported by solid research and is effective with virtually all of our students, it is the method of choice at Greenwood and many other remedial schools. Of course, we continue to review new findings annually to assure that our students benefit from adequately proven new discoveries.

The news coverage wasn't much better. Jessica Lee didn't dig very far, or she would have come up with the Joint Statement. And she seems to be taking the Irlen claims (all anecdotal) on the same level of trust as those from researchers who have to prove to their peers that their assertions are correct.

I think I've got this straight: There's a non-profit, The Massachusetts Literacy Project, whose sole purpose is to diagnose more people with "SSS" (condition not medically recognized), the treatment for which involves a royalty payment to Helen Irlen, and other payments to the screeners. MLP is the brainchild of Elsie Dorain, who in her other life is a professional fundraiser for non-profits.

In 1991, some Florida districts engaged in Irlen screening, which raised Conflict of Interest issues for the district, because the Irlen program is a for-profit entity in which financial benefits accrue to the screeners, who also may be employed by the district.

I wonder why the Arizona experiment in "scotopic sensitivity screening" --in which Arizona shelled out $90,000 for a two-year program to screen for "SSS" and find out if remediating raised reading scores--hasn't been reported anywhere reputable.

In
Scotopic Sensitivity Syndrome and Tinted Lenses, by Dr. Eugene McGillis Helveston investigates the Irlen Method, and concludes that the Irlen Method is driven by Irlen's true-believer charisma, and the financial benefits that accrue.

Two of the staff from my department underwent training to become certified Irlen screeners. They were told that in order to maintain the program, 50 percent of those screened should be diagnosed as having scotopic sensitivity syndrome. This incidence, 5O percent, was also found in two screenings reported in a recent Irlen Institute International newsletter (Irlen, 2001).
[snip]
The perspective afforded by observing the evolution of the concept of scotopic sensitivity syndrome and the treatment with tinted lenses leads to the conclusion that this effort has resulted in classic group behavior. The concept has a strong charismatic personality as originator and sustained leader. The supporting evidence is almost entirely anecdotal. The syndrome is becoming associated with an even more diverse array of maladies, tinted lenses now being offered for relief of problems far removed from reading difficulty. The procedure for determining the specific tint has not been divulged and remains a type of "trade secret." Finally, a financially rewarding franchise activity is at the basis of the Irlen Institute activity.

So why did Driscoll put out for something that would certainly not improve his reputation? The Irlen Conference was in Cambridge last year--maybe some big political donors are converts to Irlen.

And all is not hopeless in MA. The Masons are there!

The Scottish Rite Masonic Children's Learning Centers provide therapy for children suffering from dyslexia which is free-of-charge and one-on-one.

The Greater Boston Center has focused on dyslexia because of the large number of children afflicted with this disability and has melded the traditional Orton-Gillingham therapy with modern technology through computerization. The success of this unique program has been the subject of presentations at national conferences.

Comments

[P.Rogers]

I'm a grad researcher at U of Ga and investing the Irlen phenomenon and controversy. What I've found is that although there is much criticism (esp from our own ophthalmologist associations) about the positive research that has been conducted, they can point to NO negative research. The research that has shown positive (usually extremely positive) results are found on the medical databases (e.g., "Medline"). Their is no negative research and scare neutral research. Dr. Hoyt, professor of ophthalmology and pediatrics at the University of California-San Franicisco, (Journal of Learning Disabilities, 23, l0. 1990) wrote in response to three very positive American research articles in the same journal. He stated that he was delighted and encouraged with the articles but that he would like to see more rigorous research conducted. There have been volumes of research conducted since then. Have none met with American ophthalmalic approval? The Irlen Syndrome is widely accepted in The United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand. Furthermore, check out the feedback from Arizona school systems--I found at least one school system documenting their ecstacy (I'm not exaggerating) with the Irlen Method. Your article has the same tone as all the critics seem to have--there is a call for research (that has already happened) and a reliance on our own Ophthalmalic associations to steer us right. Even your remarks from Dr. Eugene McGillis Helveston point to suspicion in the objectives of the Irlen Institute not whether or not the Method works! I share many of your passions, but I also am passionate about unfettering the good.

[Liz]

Dyslexia is not an issue of the eyes--the optometrists and ophthamologists are out of the running. It is an issue of the brain making correct and rapid connections between symbol (letters) and sound.

My complaint here is that there is that chasing off after some illusory defect in vision delays effective remediation.

The Arizona school systems and Irlen--as far as I can tell, there was a pilot program in 1996 and expired in 1998--where's the data? Where's the state-wide adoption of Irlen as a cure for reading difficulties?

This message is a reponse to Gary Probst and Amy Crouse-Powers (originally responding to Norm Stahl's request):

I have an instructor who is trained as an "Irlen Specialist." She is
dyslexic and swears by her "pink" tinted glasses. I don't really understand
how the screening works, but different colors of transparencies or
combinations are given based on the testee's response to various samples of
text in different visual contexts. Here is the Website for Irlen:
http://www.irlen.com/.

I don't know if this really applies to the original question, but it's the
little I know about the color overlays.

Cris Richardson
Assistant Director, Learning Center
Rogers State University
1701 W. Will Rogers Blvd.
Claremore, OK 74017
918.343.7727
crichardson@rsu.edu
www.rsu.edu

From: Palau, Susan [mailto:Susan.Palau@PURCHASE.EDU]
Sent: Monday, December 03, 2001 9:23 AM
To: LRNASST@LISTSERV.ARIZONA.EDU
Subject: Re: A question - A comment in reply

In my former life I was a reading specialist, an Orton-Gillingham tutor and
have a Masters in Special Education. In all my trainings, we were warned
about the quick-fix for dyslexia. I do not believe there is any good
research out there that supports the idea of colored lenses as a cure for
reading problems. If it exists, it is usually done by the manufacturers of
these lenses. Buyer Beware!
Susan Marcus Palau
Director
Learning Center
Library Lower Level
Tele: 914. 251-6488
Fax: 914. 251-6451
Susan.palau@purchase.edu

o be honest, Susan, I agree. When I first came here, she was screening
every student in our developmental studies program. However, I have not
pushed the issue, and she is now the only one screening her students. I'm
not sure how helpful these things really are, and I have been suspicious
about the cost of the overlays and the cost of training for "specialists."
Thanks for reminding me, that I wanted to add that caveat. ;-)
Cris Richardson

If one of the oldest and most successful schools for dyslexics, the Greenwood School, has determined

What has been the experience of The Greenwood School with Irlen lenses? The Greenwood School has never recommended or required the Irlen lens for its students. However, some students enrolled have tried and discarded the lenses as being ineffective. Others arrived having been recently fitted with the lenses as part of an overall effort by parents to place every possible helpful resource at the service of their child. In every case, the lens was abandoned soon after admission as being unhelpful.

This author once attended a panel discussion concerning the Irlen lens which included Mrs. Irlen, Jean Chall, and a representative from the American Academy of Ophthalmology. When presented with the lack of evidence for the effectiveness of her lens in remediating reading problems, Mrs. Irlen agreed that she should, and already had changed her promotion to suggest that her lenses would be effective with dyslexia only if used in conjunction with an appropriate educational strategy.

P. Rogers, I have some research questions for you: why do outdated "therapies" persist? What are the payoffs for teachers in becoming Irlen Screeners?

[pam rogers]

In answer to Liz who has asked,

"P. Rogers, I have some research questions for you: why do outdated "therapies" persist? What are the payoffs for teachers in becoming Irlen Screeners?"

First off, thank you for including me in this discussion!

Is the Irlen Syndrome/Method considered an outdated therapy? The reason that the Irlen Method persists--in spite of a lot of skepticism--is because sometimes colored overlays work! There is a teacher in one of my classes who teaches students with autism who volunteered that her students can read when they look through clear, red rulers. She quickly added that she was sure it was psychosomatic. I was intrigued by her guarded support for the clear, red rulers.

The fact is that there is a great deal of research that has been conducted, most of it coming out of England and Australia, much of it recent (2004). Almost all of the research shows positive results! This research can be found, not on the educational data bases, but on the medical data bases, such as "Medline". I will add a description of the a few items of research I've found as a post script.

I don't know what the payoffs would be for teachers to become Irlen screeners. I think it might be sufficient to have a stack or two of overlays in every classroom, and kids could read with or without an overlay if they wished. What harm could it do? I don't know how much of an exact science screening and finding the exact color would be. I do think that if there is any hope in the method that it does needs to be investigated.

I do see that the money to be made lends a little suspicion to the enterprise. However, we need to get beyond that and check it out. There's too much to be gained if it is useful.

Also, please remember that the Method is no substitute for reading instruction, it just allows the print to be readable if one already knows how to read.

Thank you,
Pam Rogers

P. S. These are a few examples of the research on Medline:

Jeanes, R. J., Pumfrey, P. D., & Laskier, M. (1996). Rate of reading test(r) - its reliability, and its validity in the assessment of the effects of colored overlays. (italics) Ophthalmic and Physiological Optics (l6) 6. Abstract: A simple reading test that can be undertaken by disabled readers is described. The test is suitable for use in the optometric clinic, taking less than 2 minutes to administer per passage. Test-retest scores are acceptably reliable. The test reveals increases in the speed of reading when coloured overlays are used both (l) in children who have made long-term use of coloured overlays for reading, and (2) inchildren who will subsequently do so.

Harle, D. E.,& Evans, B. J. W. (2004). The optometric correlates of migraine. (italics) Ophthalmic and Physilogical Optics 24 (5). Abstract: Migraine is a common, chronic, multi-factorial, neurovascular disorder typically characterised. . .In particular the link between migraine headache and pattern glare is striking. The therapeutic use of precision-tinted spectacles to reduce pattern glare (visual stress) and to help some migraine sufferers is described.

Robinson, G. L. (1999). Scotopic sensitivity/Irlen syndrome and the use of coloured filters: A long-term placebo controlled and masked study of reading achievement and perception of ability. (italics) Perceptual and Motor Skills (89) l. Abstract: This study investigated the effects of using coloured filters on reading speed, accuracy, and comprehension as well as on perception of academic ability. A double-masked, placebo-controlled crossover design was used, with subjects being assessed over a period of 20 months. . .two of the three treatment groups showefd significantly greater increases than the control group.

Bouldoukian, J. (2002) Randomised controlled trial of the effect of coloured overlays on the rate of reading of people with specific learning difficulties. (italics) Ophthalmic and Physilogical Optics (22) l. Abstract: A randomised controlled trial has demonstrated that, for selected children with reading diffulties, individually prescribed coloured filters reduce symptoms of asthenopia. . .Further analyses support the conclusion that individually prescribed coloured filters can improve reading performance for reasons that cannot be solely attributed to conventional optometric factors or to placebo effects.

There is very much more research than these few items. Get into the Galileo on-line library and access "Medline" in the medical databases and search Irlen--stand back, you'll get quite a few matches!

[Pam Rogers]

Liz,

I'm going to get in touch with the Arizona School Board and hear it from them--how the Irlen pilot project worked out. This IS an important issue. I will root out that information and post it here.

Meanwhile, I did find a letter (allegedly) from the Las Cruces Public Schools at http://www.irlen.com/testimonial_school.htm, where the assistant director of their Special Education Department is raving about the Irlen Method.

What I've been reading online from a Yahoo Search tells me that there is a lot of confusion on this topic. For instance, one site thought that the Irlen Method only involves expensive lenses and not colored overlays, and then they applauded SOMEONE ELSE'S invention of colored overlays! (The Irlen Method has nine colored overlays @$3.95/overlay; to get one's eyeglasses tinted takes a couple of hundred dollars to find the exact tint and then to get the lenses tinted--which is a greater exactness of color than the nine tints of the overlays. One can stop with the overlays.) This Yahoo person was mistaken about Irlen not having overlays, voiced approval of overlays, all the while trashing Irlen!

This truly is an intriguing study.

Pam Rogers

[pam rogers]

Liz! I found something.

http://216.109.117.135/search/cache?p=arizona+irlen+pilot+project&sm=Yahoo%21+Search&toggle=1&ei=UTF-8&u=www.yumasun.com/artman/publish/print/printer_5887.shtml&w=arizona+irlen+pilot+project&d=DF076F4331&icp=1&.intl=us

Yahoo! search "arizona irlen pilot project" brought me to "Health News" from the YumaSun.com: A column by Matt Riehl, Staff Writer, June l6,2003, entitled "Yuma school psychologist fighting to keep words on the page where they belong."

This article tells us what happened to the pilot project in Arizona. It says that in l996, public schools in the state of Arizona were to participate in an Irlen Syndrom pilot program; however, each school district that wished to participate was required to submit a grant. Only one school district in Arizona bothered to submit a grant!

How about that? The lack of publicity from Arizona was NOT because of the failure of the Irlen Method!

Pam

[Daniel Burge]

Dear Susan Marcus Palau et al,

I read your letter on this website with interest.

I was born and raised in the UK and now live in Ireland. Three years ago during a stay in Canada studying post-graduate computer science I found myself wondering why it seemed that I needed to be in far more silent areas of the college than my peers to undertake any reading. It had always been like this but up to this point I had just taken it for granted. It was only when I asked my friends how long it had taken them to read the first “Harry Potter” novel (everyone seemed to have read it so I thought it would make a good benchmark) did I realise that my reading rate was very poor over an extended period of time. It wasn’t that I am always a slow reader; I can in fact be very fast, but all in all I surmised that my reading stress level was higher than those around me. I started researching into dyslexia but it was clear that this wasn’t what I had, but this brought me to the Irlen field. It was only when I visited irlen.com and saw the movie that plays at the start of the website did I realise I was onto something. I consequently got screened and was diagnosed as having quite severe symptoms. Incidentally during the screening when a coloured overlay was put on a sheet of text did I experience seeing more than one word on the page at the same time; previous to this every other word would be blurred. I now have the glasses and for the first time in my life I enjoy reading instead of it being a necessary ordeal (apart from the Harry Potter anomaly – it was just too much fun, even though it took me 2 months to read book one!).

I do not consider Irlen overlays or glasses to be the “cure” of my problem but it very effectively suppresses my symptoms, so this really is an allopathic fix like most modern medical approaches. At the same time it is clearly not a clinical model. I believe there may be a physiological malfunction of some sort that could be addressed in the future but for now this system is one that we have to work with and can be appropriate in certain circumstances. I would appeal to you to go with your direct experience of a matter in the future and not with any beliefs or opinions you may have. There are many thousands of people in the world who I would imagine might have this condition and the more we honour their right to be helped the better. I was fortunate enough to be aware enough to have my own realisations and the capacity to source the solution. Others, especially the smaller ones do not and I have written to you today with them in mind.

Best wishes,

Daniel Burge
daniel_burge[at]hotmail.com

[Ryan Logsdon]

To All,

My confidence in Optometrist and Opthamologist has greatly declined over the last several months due to their lack of effort in helping me resolve this problem with my vision I am currently having. I have visited several offices in the Louisville, KY area and have received 4 totally different prescriptions for glasses. My vision is 20/20, but I have problems reading for long periods, looking at black print on white paper, light sensitivity, etc.. When I found the information online concerning the Irlen Syndrome and looked over the symptoms I was astonished due to the fact that I was experiencing the majority of them. And since my overall confidence in the local Optometry environment has seen its better days I find myself with no choice but to at least try the Irlen approach. If anyone has a better alternative my ears are open.

[Jen]

Hi,

Just recently, I attended a workshop to become a certified Irlen/Scotopic Sensitivity Screener. I entered the workshop skeptical-but was interested in learning about any method which may help my students read with less difficulty. I think the public needs to be aware that Helen Irlen is not promoting her product as a "cure" for dyslexia-or any other learning disability. Identifying and treating symptoms of SSS may be a small piece to the puzzle of improving reading ability. SSS is not a vision problem-it is called a visual perception problem. I know this is where the controversy among opthomologists and optomotrists enters the picture. Since I am new to this whole concept, I have remained open minded and have tried to read up on all the research, testimonials, piloted programs, etc. Although I am certain that Irlen filters are not a good fit for everyone, why not give it a try with a student who is struggling? I have not advertised myself as an Irlen SSS screener as of yet. I am trying to gather more background information around Irlen in order to answer questions of prospective parents and/or school systems.

:)

[Lisa Dill]

I would like to comment to the above statements about Irlen Syndrome. I have a child that had a great deal of difficulty in school reading. He came home with black cicles under his eyes everyday, and with severe headaches. I searched and searched why this was happening to him, and he told me that looking at a paper in the classroom was like looking at bright headlights coming at you. I do not believe any of the study's but do read them. I believe my 8 year old son!! He is the one that this affects, not anyone else. As a parent it is my duty to take care of my child and regardless of how many studies there have been done, I will still believe my child!!

[WEL]

MAXIDEX WARNING

I had eye surgery and in the post-op pack was MAXIDEX (dexamethasone) drops by Alcon Labs. Two days later I was BLIND Other complicatione are optic nerve damage, corneal damage, glaucoma and secondary infection

BEWARE