Educating Education Writers

Nanette Asimov, the Chronicle education writer (who otherwise has good chops--she investigated Scientology's worming its way into the SF school district) made two serious  errors in a recent news article on special education:

In 2001, Juleus Chapman was a Fremont 8th-grader with "scotopic sensitivity syndrome" -- a condition that makes words seem to swim across the page -- and dyslexia, which causes letters to appear in reverse order.

In other words,

1. She accepted a quack definition.  "Scotopic sensitivity syndrome"  exists only in the mind of the people who provide an expensive and useless fix
2. She perpetuated two destructive myths about dyslexia: that it has to do with visual perception, and it has something to do with  reversal of letters.

So I sent her a rather strong email:

I am surprised that you, as an education writer, were so ill-informed as to perpetuate the antique myth that dyslexia equals letter reversal.   Nothing could be further than the truth.    Furthermore, there is NO reliable evidence that "scotopic sensitivity" is in fact a real condition.

It is a pity that your ignorance caused the Chronicle to print untruths.

Here some accurate sources of information about dyslexia and that money-making scam,  "scotopic sensitivity syndrome"

First, dyslexia.  I commend to you the article published at LDonline on reading approaches.   

 

The Center for Dyslexia defines dyslexia as:
A language-based learning disorder that is biological in origin and primarily interferes with the acquisition of print literacy (reading, writing, and spelling). It is characterized by poor decoding and spelling abilities as well as deficits in phonological awareness and/or manipulation. These primary characteristics may co-occur with spoken language difficulties and deficits in short-term memory. Secondary characteristics may include poor reading comprehension (due to decoding and memory difficulties) and poor written expression as well as difficulty organizing information for study and retrieval.
(Sawyer, August 1993)

According to the International Dyslexia Association:

"Dyslexia is a neurologically-based, often familial, disorder which interferes with the acquisition and processing of language. Varying in degrees of severity, it is manifested by difficulties in receptive and expressive language, including phonological processing, in reading, writing, spelling, handwriting, and sometimes in arithmetic.  Dyslexia is not the result of lack of motivation, sensory impairment, inadequate instructional or environmental opportunities, or other limiting conditions, but may occur together with these conditions.  Although dyslexia is lifelong, individuals with dyslexia frequently respond successfully to timely and appropriate intervention."

According to Susan Barton,
NIH Results Released in 1994:  These research results have been independently replicated and are now considered to be irrefutable.
[snip]
       * Dyslexia is primarily due to linguistic deficits. We now know dyslexia is due to a difficulty processing language. It is not due to visual problems, and people with dyslexia do not see words or letters backwards.

I commend Barton's site to you.  She has a wealth of information.
http://www.dys-add.com/nowknow.html#NIHResults

More at these links:

http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/dyslexia/dyslexia.htm
http://www.mayoclinic.com/invoke.cfm?id=DS00224
http://www.ld.org/LDInfoZone/InfoZone_FactSheet_LD_QuickLook.cfm
http://www.ld.org/LDInfoZone/InfoZone_FactSheet_Dyslexia_QuickLook.cfm

Put more simply,  dyslexia is a spectrum disorder, meaning some people are more affected than others.  People with dyslexia can speak, hear, and see normally, but have difficulty accurately and quickly matching spoken language to written language, and written language to spoken language.

For the lay person, I think this article is the best:

"Reading disability" or "learning disability": The debate, models of dyslexia, and a review of research-validated reading programs

Abstract

    Reading and reading disabilities are a primary focus of the President's No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB). This signals a major change for children receiving special education services under the category of learning disability as previously implemented under Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) guidelines. This article reviews the shift in policy focus and concerns about the shift. Four models of reading/learning disabilities, or dyslexia, are presented. It is suggested that teaching strategies for reading need to take into account the nature of a student's reading disability. Five research validated reading programs are then reviewed. Links are provided to the supporting research studies.

Now, onto "scotopic sensitivity syndrome".   The weight of the evidence is that it doesn't exist, and is a money-making scheme for those involved in it.

A Joint Statement of the American Academy of Pediatrics, American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus, and American Academy of Ophthalmology
Policy Statement: Learning Disabilities, Dyslexia, and Vision

Learning disabilities are common conditions in pediatric patients.....

No scientific evidence supports claims that the academic abilities of children with learning disabilities can be improved with treatments that are based on ...colored lenses.

These more controversial methods of treatment may give parents and teachers a false sense of security that a child's reading difficulties are being addressed, which may delay proper instruction or remediation. The expense of these methods is unwarranted, and they cannot be substituted for appropriate educational measures. Claims of improved reading and learning after visual training, neurological organization training, or use of colored lenses, are almost always based on poorly controlled studies that typically rely on anecdotal information. These methods are without scientific validation.   Their reported benefits can be explained by the traditional educational remedial techniques with which they are usually combined....

Revised and Approved by:
American Academy of Pediatrics
American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus
American Academy of Ophthalmology
September 1998

I have removed citations -- all may be found at the link above

Articles Critical of Scotopic Sensitivity Syndrome
Skeptical Inquirer,  July-August, 2004  by Alan D. Bowd,  Julia O'Sullivan:  Seeing the world through rose-colored glasses: Scotopic Sensitivity/Irlen Syndrome: Helen Irlen and her followers claim that dyslexia, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and autism are all associated with "Scotopic Sensitivity Syndrome," and each can be effectively treated using colored lenses and overlays. The scientific evidence suggests otherwise.

Author(s):  Eugene Helveston M.D.  Reprinted with Permission From: International Dyslexia Association   Printed Date: Summer 2001 Date Posted on this Website: October 03 2002

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....

For reading issues of all kinds, I recommend Children of the Code

I do hope you will publish a retraction of your statement, and provide parents and teachers with links to resources that can actually help.

Asimov thought my tone was unjustifiably rude. Perhaps it was.

I suppose being an education writer really means being on top of the politics and economics of public education, more than understanding some of the finer points of educational practice, such as the cause of one of the most common learning disabilities (dyslexia).  And of course, the article really was on CAHSEE and accomodations for it.

education dyslexia ADHD ADHD:Children learning disability learning skeptic

Comments

[Rhonda Stone]

Ms. Ditz, if Gallileo were alive today you'd support his burning at the stake. Just because YOU do not understand scotopic sensitivity/Irlen syndrome, it does not mean that it does not exist and with its symptoms effectively addressed through what is essentially color therapy. You are doing harm to those you seek to help by your own narrow mindedness. Sufficient research DOES exist. Stop promoting a lie. Follow the research of Arnold Wilkins, Ph.D., past, present, and future--especially in the coming year. SS/IS/MIS (Meares-Irlen syndrome--the condition's "other" name) is as real as cancer and as problematic as so-called phonological processing problems.

The American Optometric Association now acknowledges that it exists; it is gaining acceptance among ophthalmologists in the United Kingdom; it is listed in the Encyclopedia Britannica; as well as Wikipedia.

May science triumph over small minds.

Rhonda Stone
Parent advocate, children's reading issues

[Mrs. Tammy Sonnen]

Ms. Ditz~

I have worked with children for 16 years privately and within the school systems. I am currently a student at our local college and have chosen as my topic of research, Irlen Syndrome (also called Scotopic Sensitivity Syndrome and Meares-Irlen Syndrome). I have read through the bulk of the information you cited and can tell you that the information is neither correct nor up-to-date. The article by Alan Bowd and Julia O'Sullivan is critically flawed and very skewed. I followed up on their research and found that they used only small bits of what they found and tweaked it a bit to suit their needs for the article. Much of what they cited neither supported nor denounced Scotopic Sensitivity Syndrome calling for further research.

In my work over the years with children, I can tell you that there is truly something going on. Whether we call this Irlen Syndrome, Scotopic Sensitivity Syndrome, or something else doesn't matter. The fact remains that there are many young people and adults who are impacted in a negative way by the light in their world and how their brain percieves it. For many, colored screens or lenses alleviate the problem. We cannot continue to ignore this and what these people are telling us.

Every Day, I work with students who would benefit from the assistance offered by colored overlays or lenses. Yet, they are denied the opportunity to even try them out due to the narrow-mindedness of people who think like you.

If it helps them, why not give it a try? There is no more harm done by trying it and having it not work, than by trying the miriad of other "fixes" that are perpetuated by our public school systems. For these few people, all of these "fixes" fail--many at great monetary cost to their families. This is one more tool that could be at the disposal of educators and students. It should be used.

In my research, I have read mountains of research and information on this topic. Currently, it appears that all professionals (including many educators), have come to the conclusion that there is true merit to this condition. In my own experience, I believe there is truly something to it.

I recommend that you, Ms. Ditz, read Rhonda Stone's book, "The Light Barrier". It is well-written and well-researched. I also suggest that you work with students who are helped by these devices. Talk to them. Ask them what they see without their lenses and overlays. Please do not deny them and people like them the simple things that help make life a little easier for them.

Mrs. Stone, if you happen upon this entry, I am searching for more updated information for my research. If you have any, I would appreciate it. Thank you.

[Rachel S]

My daughter - up until 3rd grade evaluated as gifted and talented, and while currently readying at a 5th grade level at age 8 - has complained about specific, somewhat bizarre symptoms regarding her vision since pre-K. This is in SPITE of her vision being 20/20 and her eyes being perfectly normal. These weird issues include:

-black on white hurting her eyes and stomach
-pain in looking at "sharp" items (such as -scissor points, pins, etc)
-florescent lights being extremely, brutally painful for her
-musical notes printed as black and white on paper being nearly impossible to read, despite her musical talent and education
-the black and white piano keys being difficult to look at

My optician can find nothing wrong with her, visually, and she is scheduled to see a pediatric opthomologist next month. Additionally, I have suspected, in spite of all of her educational achievements, that she might be dyslexic.

While I am having her evaluated for dyslexia, the moment that I saw information on SSS, it put all of the "unrelated" and "odd" complaints into focus, so to speak. On one web site about this, they have a short writing displayed on 6 different colored backgrounds. I simply asked my daughter if any of them seemed easier to read. Immediately, she said that the white, blue and green backgrounds were painful, the yellow and lavender were OK, but that the rose was MUCH better.

I gave her no mental clues about this, or any warning or build-up. I simply asked her to come and look at my computer screen, to read the writing on the various colored backgrounds and to tell me if any of them make the reading easier or if any of them felt better. Her response was immediate. In fact, when looking at the light-blue background she got eye pain and had to look away. She was very clear on the fact that the rose background wasn't painful to look at at all, and that it was much easier to read.

This seems so simple and obvious...why would I ignore this easy, and relatively inexpensive solution to something that is so painful to my daughter?

Despite what you have written, I would be neglect as a parent to not investigate overlays as something simple to ease my childs physical pain with black and white. This does not mean that I would ignore the dyslexia testing, but it is too coincidental that her particular array of issues are EXACTLY the symptoms listed as SSS. Truthfully, I couldn't imagine what could be causing these strange reactions to specific color and light-related issues.

I intend to have her tested for SSS. If she is diagnosed as having this - and it seems certain that she would - and overlays help to relieve her symptoms, then that is all of the information that I would need.

For me, the proof of the pudding has to be in the eating.

[Tania Dutton]

Having come across this website whilst looking for more information, I was shocekd and appauled at Ms. Dirz's comments and felt compelled to describe the shear hell that I am currently experiencing, in the ohpe that it will encourage people not to pass of fScotopic Sensitivity Syndrone as she has done and the use of tinted lenses in this and othe conditions.

Firstly a little of my history:-
I began to have migraines at the age of 11 and my migraine seizures (due to migraine with aura) caused by flickering, flashing and flourescent lifhts, began at the age of 13. Just before my 14th bithday I was perscribed propanolol an a phenomminal amount to control this (I was later told it was enough to nock a grown man out! And that was what was keeping me conscious!). When I was 14 someone I knew through the Girl Guides recomended that I be tested for tinted lenses as these had helped her daugnter no end. I was given greeny-blue lenses which really helped me. A few months later my Spanish teacher expressed concern and recomended that I be tested for Dyslexia, which the school was more than happy to do. They found that I didn't have Dyslexia and was refered to an orthoptist who diagnosed SSS. My tint changes every 6-12 months and I can always tell when I've changed, even before I've been tested as my symptoms worsen and I start having to take afternoon naps because I tire so easilt. Up until now my colour has always been greeny-blue, changing only slightly. 16 degrees or so on the colour wheel that is used to test (which just to add, my orthoptist leaves me to get on with and find my own colour because she knows that I can tell exactly what is right for me). Certain colours of light were awful (red, pink, purple, yellow and orange. I was due to play in a school concert, during the dress rehursal they were testing the lightinng, put a red light on the band and I passes out!)

Now to, well, now! 6 months ago my medication was changed to sodium valoprate and by October I was starting to feel the effects of a colour change. I sat down at the machine and fiddled with the dials and found my colour. My orthoptist then took down the settings that I had pit the machine to and asked me to do it again. I did and came back with an almost exact match. SHe then told me that the colour I had chasen was PINK! The reading rate test was greatly increased and I can't rememner the last time I could reads o clearly!

I am now waiting for the lenses to be made. I am un able to wera my greeny-blue glasses as I became so ill thaty I started being sick due to the migraines and found, by fluke, that I was actually better of without them on. I was due to go back to university, went but unfortunately didn't start back after having three seizures in less that 24 hours and then being rather sick. So am back at home, avoiding flourescent lights- eating very little so loosing weight, unable to concentraite, tired, problems with written work (although this may be evodent!)and reading, unalbe to sleep because my brain is unable to switch off, irrityable, muddled, dizzy and having balance problems and all because of the change in thi tent of my glasses!

I know that this is not a typical or straightforward case, but I hope that I have been able to convey how important these lenses have been to me, my health and my education- I left school with 11 A-C GCSEs, 3 A levels and an AS level and am a scholar at one of the top music colleges in the country. Without these lenses, I would have a very miserable existance. The yhave been a God send and I sincerely hope that much more reserach is done into how they help and their uses so that mant more people can benefit from them.

I hope this goes some way to reassuring, convincing or at lease makeng people aware that Scotopic Sensitivity Syndrome is a rael condition and thet the use of tinted lenses extremely benificial in this and other conditions and would advise anyone interested in the subject to look into the research of Proffessor Arnold Wilkins of the University of Essex, who has done much work in this feild of study and is constantly working to increase what is known about the use of tinted lenses and overlays. I hope I have the pleasure of meating him some day, as his research has done much to improve my quality of life.

[Rhonda Stone]

To those interested in "scotopic sensitivity" or "Irlen syndrome," please note that a growing number of medical sources are FINALLY beginning to acknowledge a link between headaches and eye-strain in some individuals and fluorescent lighting. This is a very small victory, since for years this reality has been denied by the medical community.

Parents -- please imagine what this means for the countless children out there who endure headaches and eye-strain daily as they sit for seven hours a day under classroom fluorescent lights. Frankly, headaches and eye-strain that become chronic often are less distinguishable as pain and more distinguishable as fatigue.

Liz--if you are reading this, please stop claiming that tinted lenses are ineffective and quackery. For some individuals tinted lenses improve comfort and perceptual stability. They can't teach a child to read correctly, but they can help a child who is light sensitive feel more comfortable and relaxed in the presence of light that is bad for them. This helps the reading process.

Sincerely,
Rhonda Stone
Author, The Light Barrier (St. Martin's Press, 2002)
Co-Author, Read Right! Coaching Your Child to Excellence in Reading (McGraw-Hill, 2005)