Irlen Syndrome and Visual Processing: Awareness for Educators

Presented by Helen Irlen, Founder & Executive Director, Irlen Institute
Sponsored by Reading Horizons

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This webinar provided information on Irlen Syndrome for educators and others who work with children. Irlen Syndrome is a perceptual processing disorder, specifically related to how the brain processes visual information. It is estimated to exist in approximately 12% of the general population and in approximately 46% of the population with reading and other visual processing difficulties. Helen Irlen explained Irlen Syndrome and provided information on the following:

• Characteristics of Irlen Syndrome
• How to identify characteristics in children at school
• How educators can create environments that may be more comfortable and increase performance, attention, and concentration
• Strategies and resources for educators

For approximately 6 hours every school day, students are asked to sit under bright florescent lights and look at white paper, usually a book or handouts, or a whiteboard, or an electronic device. For many students, this causes an array of academic difficulties. Some of the symptoms of Irlen Syndrome include:

• Bothered by bright/fluorescent lights, glare
• Slow or inefficient reading, poor comprehension
• Difficulty with math computation, reading music, or copying
• Print may appear distorted or move on the page
• Eye strain, fatigue, dizziness, anxiety, irritability, headaches, mood changes, restlessness, difficulty staying focused, or balance and coordination issues

Learn more about Irlen Syndrome. This webinar will benefit all K-12 teachers and staff working with children, special educators, higher ed, school counselors and psychologists, and occupational therapists.

Helen Irlen is the Founder and Executive Director of the Irlen Institute. Helen is a pioneer and global leader in the area of visual processing and an internationally recognized educator and researcher. Her background includes School Psychologist, Licensed Child and Family Therapist, Educational Therapist, Board Certified Professional Counselor, and Adult Learning Disabilities Specialist. There are currently 138 affiliated Irlen Centers worldwide in 44 countries. Helen has written many books including, The Irlen Revolution: A Guide to Changing Your Perception and Your Life.

WATCH THE WEBINAR RECORDING

For over 30 years Reading Horizons has dedicated its time and efforts to perfecting a reading system that makes learning to read simple and enjoyable for beginning and struggling readers. All of Reading Horizons products are based on a methodology that provides explicit, systematic, sequential instruction in decoding, spelling, and pronunciation strategies.