Dyslexia is a very frustrating disability. For one form, Scotopic Syndrome, there is a successful, non-traditional approach with no doctors, no surgery, no medication.
Scotopic Sensitivity Syndrome is commonly called perceptual dyslexia. Many disagree that it is actually dyslexia but it can raise havoc in a learning environment. Recent research at Harvard discovers physical evidence for SSS. Watching an SSS child try to read will bring tears to your eyes. If you don't have this disability, you have no idea what the eyes see.
These students don't want to read aloud because it is just so embarrassing. They don't see clearly and think everyone is seeing what they are seeing. They are not. That's the problem. What they see is not what everyone else sees.
And the teacher, trying to be helpful, says things like, "Sound out the letters." "You need to read more." "We had this word last week. You should remember it." "Pay attention." Of course, the student is focusing and paying attention. In fact, this student is probably focusing more than anyone else in the class. Many students with SSS are above average in intelligence and suffer great frustration being trapped by this disability. Many have been helped by using the Kurzweil computer program where the computer reads the text for the student.
SSS individuals see the printed page differently than others. The following are a few examples.
Letters move on the page like ants.
Flipping: a "b" can become a "d" and back to a "b" in seconds.
River effect: spacing occurs at random.
Melted letters: letters actually shrink to the point that you can no longer tell what they are.
Washout effect: the centers of the letters disappear.
Swirl effect: the only portion of the page that is clear is perhaps one inch at a time.
Blurry effect: this looks like the same writing went through the copier 4-5 times.
Seesaw effect: letters appear in waves instead of a straight line.
Helen Irlen, a school psychologist and learning disability specialist, developed a method that helps individuals with SSS see clearly.
There are two methods used to treat SSS:
colored overlays
colored lenses
Irlen spent over five years perfecting her diagnosic tools and treatments. There are thousands of professionals trained by Irlen throughout the country. Trained Irlen screeners will find the exact color or shade of color that allows the eyes to see without distortion and then send a clear message to the brain. At times, it takes three colors blended together to come up with just the right shade. Since there are hundreds of colors that could work, this is not something to try and do yourself.
This condition is a perception problem and not a vision problem. The eyes distort what they see. So, the message to the brain gets scrambled. This can happen with 20/20 vision which leaves parents confused. It is common to hear parents say, "It can't be their eyes, they just had an exam and see perfectly." They may see that tree across the street perfectly, but not the textbook in front of them.
Students that have found the exact color to help them say it is like a miracle. Different comments have been, "Is this what the rest of you see?" "I can read the interstate signs now!" "The words stand still!" "No more headaches when I read." "I don't need someone to read to me now."
The glasses have also helped some people with autism. The estimate is that this may help one out of five people with dyslexia-like problems. Many find that this method will not help their form of the disability. However, if you are one of the lucky ones, your life is changed forever.
More information on SSS, includes more symptoms, interview link with Helen Irlen, book review on her book, Reading By The Colors, additional research and tips on how to help children in the classroom.
Copyright article 2006 Barbara Pytel. All Rights Reserved.
The copyright of the article Scotopic Sensitivity Syndrome in Educational Issues is owned by Barbara Pytel. Permission to republish Scotopic Sensitivity Syndrome in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
I loved your first article about Scotopic Sensitivity Syndrome. That is
an area I didn't really know about. I wonder how many people could benefit
from "rose colored glasses" as you describe.
Interesting - my Mom always wanted a tint in her glasses - said she could
see better with slightly pink lenses. Maybe she "knew" something
inherently that we are now just discovering.
Great article. I
know Educational Issues will be a terrific topic - there are just
<b>so</b> many issues in education these days!
Welcome!
Irene
May 3, 2006 6:58 PM
Barbara Pytel :
Sep 15, 2007 11:12 AM
Barbara Pytel :
While a student with SSS may not occur that often in a school, when they
learn that they can see the written word better--it can change their life.
Sep 29, 2007 4:17 AM
Barbara Pytel :
My school recently screened a student for SSS and he is so excited to be
doing better in school using his overlay. It is going to be a struggle to
relearn concepts but at least he can now see the words. He claims that the
words get "huge" using the overlay.
Feb 29, 2008 2:41 PM
anna lipka :
We found out my daughter has SSS. Turns out my friend has it and she was a
retired screener. I told her the problems my daughter was having and she
screened her. There is no one in Maryland that does the lenses. With help
from my friend we got Dr Johnson from Texas to come to Maryland and test my
daughter and other kids we found in a private school in Westminster. Some of these kids have to be retested in 6 months because their colour
changes. My daughter is one of them.
Mar 1, 2008 6:17 AM
Barbara Pytel :
I am so happy for your daughter! It is truly amazing to watch these kids
see what we see. Best of luck!
Mar 7, 2008 2:25 PM
SweetPea16438 :
I have SSS. Most of my children have it, and now we think some of my
grandchildren have it. SSS needs to be recognized more. It is hard to
understand how others see when you have never seen things normal and try to
read a page when the words move around.
May 5, 2008 4:15 PM
Guest :
I was diagnosted dyslexic when i was 12 and diagnosed with IRLEN when i was
25. My life changed and i have never stoped reading.Love my Irlen Lenses
and so looking forward to the years ahead. Ash
May 5, 2008 4:22 PM
Barbara Pytel :
So happy that you are one of those significantly helped by Helen Irlen's
overlays or glasses. A few have stated that their lives have changed after
getting the glasses.
Aug 26, 2008 5:11 PM
Guest :
hey, Im a 16 year old in high school and found out four years ago that
i have SSS. I still find it very frustrating to read with my overlay
and lenses, i heard i could get contacts that would help, is this
true?
thanks,
amanda
Aug 26, 2008 5:15 PM
Barbara Pytel :
I would contact the nearest Irlen Center and find out. This would be
wonderful to be fitted with contacts in your specific color.
Aug 26, 2008 5:17 PM
amanda gillooly :
i have been living with SSS for four years and if its recognized in school
i really do believe the children will be able to learn more.
Sep 17, 2008 11:12 AM
Guest :
We are expats living in Nigeria. My first grader's teacher related that
Kaelan sees letters in different colours. The teacher and counselor
suggested reading on this topic. How can I test for this and where?
Because of his age (six) how accurate is the testing? He's only beginning
to read. Thank you,
Staci McMaster Lagos, Nigeria
Sep 17, 2008 12:28 PM
Barbara Pytel :
Search for the nearest Irlen screener or Irlen center. The Irlen link in
this article may be a good place to start.
Nov 5, 2008 10:31 AM
Guest :
I have a 12 yr old daughter that has SSS, she was tested by the school 2
yrs ago and they have overlays and I have requested other information on
lenses to help her but none was given. How do I find out if I have a doctor
in my state that will do this? please advise. thank you! You can
email info to kuttinloose@hotmail.com
Nov 5, 2008 10:49 AM
Barbara Pytel :
Go to the Irlen link in the article and they will list official Irlen
Screeners on a map. Doctors do not work with overlays. Larger cities
usually have them like Kansas City and Minneapolis.
Feb 18, 2009 9:41 AM
Guest :
Dear Mrs. Pytel: My son was recently diagnosed with SSS. We cried,
because with overlays, he can read without getting physically ill. I have
had trouble getting support and help. I happened to find an eye doctor who
knew of a lady who has been through with her children what I am going
through now. Now, I am awaiting an appointment with a diagnostician who
can determine what colors my son needs. Glasses are extremely expensive,
for my household anyway. I want people to know that there is help through
the Lion's Club and Children's welfare organizations to help pay for these
glasses. I am awaiting a miracle. Thanks for your information. Sherri Munsey
Apr 13, 2009 3:30 AM
Guest :
Hi Barbara, thanx for answering my email yes i was very frustrated still am
until i get the problem sorted with my son's reading and writing. I found
this article very interesting and it reminded me of the optometrist
appointment that my son had and what she had to say sounded very similar to
what was stated here in your article. what I don't get though if there are
a certain type of eye glasses why did she order the normal standard eye
glasses? he still suffered from the head aches, he stopped wearing them.
I'm going to book another optometrist appointment and ask about these eye
glasses. we live in Australia are they still known as Irlen glasses? I will
keep you informed. Julie Russell.
Jul 14, 2009 2:49 PM
Guest :
My 7 yr old daughter has been diagnosed with severe dyslexia, but even with
tutoring is still on a kindergarten level. She is going into 2nd grade and
I am terrified for her. I am having an awful time finding an eye doctor in
my area that can test for the SSS. Do you have any suggestions on how to
find one? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Jodilinn Georgetown, Texas
Jul 15, 2009 9:27 PM
Barbara Pytel :
Go to the Irlen link in the article and there is a directory of national
locations for Irlen Centers. However, SSS is not considered true dyslexia
and the Irlen method may not help. I would give it a try if if was my
child, though.
Sep 9, 2009 2:09 AM
Guest :
Hi Barb!
Maybe you can help us! We will move to Lagos - Nigeria.
My son is 9 years old and he is in Gard 4 at the german school. He has
dyslexia and he becoms help from a speech therapist.
Do you know
a speech therapist in Lagos - Nigeria?
Thanks for you help.
anja
Sep 9, 2009 4:07 AM
Barbara Pytel :
Unfortunately, I can not help you. Barb
Sep 28, 2009 11:21 PM
Guest :
I was diagnosed with SSS in 4th grade, before that the school thought that
i had mild mental retartation. The overlays really cahnged my life. I'm a
obsessive reader, but I'm noticing that even though I know how to cope with
most my symptoms, I'm having trouble at with paperwork, driving, and
fatigue again. My family couln't afford the glasses, but do yall think my
original overlay combo would still be right. I'm noe 27 and my new
postions at work require alot of computer and spredsheets.
Sep 29, 2009 4:04 AM
Barbara Pytel :
The only way to know for sure is to contact an Irlen center and get a color
diagnosis. I have read that the angle of the object you are trying to read
does make a difference in the color that is needed. Often, the color of
the overlay used for reading and Irlen glasses are not the same. There are
colored plastic slips that fit over fluorescent light bulbs. This type of
lighting is an irritant for someone with SSS.
