Vision, color, and Autism
Article originally printed August, 2012
What are the two primary senses that we use to learn? Take your time. Choose between the 5 senses.
If you chose hearing and seeing, you are right! Most of what we learn comes through these two senses, get processed in the brain, and hopefully become memories. But what to do if one of those senses is a little off - say if your vision is not up to par?
I'm not actually talking about being blind or visually impaired. I'm not talking about having poor acuity that can be corrected with glasses. No, I'm talking about vision issues that few people talk about. Why don't they mention it? Because although it can cause significant problems when trying to do homework or a job, the person has always seen this way; they do not know that other people don't.
Let me illustrate by giving a scenario that happened this summer.
I was picking strawberries at a farm nearby and chatting with my neighbor about what we do for a living. I of course was talking about educating people. When we were checking out, the farmer asked me if I taught people to read, and I explained a bit about how I help people solve the puzzle that has kept them from learning. He could read at a functional level, but could not learn to read Spanish. We talked a few moments about what was bothering him about reading - specifically that the words move - and then we made an appointment for me to come back to spend 15 minutes on something that might help.
I went back on the appointed time and we sat at the kitchen table. I had a sheet of white paper with typing on it and I asked him to describe what he saw. The words moved and shook, floated off the page, were double and were blurry. His eyes had immediate strain so I asked him to close his eyes and relax them a minute.
When he was ready, we went through a process where I put colored pieces of cellophane over the words and he compared what happened with each color. It turned out that the gray cellophane completely changed the way he saw the text so it was almost perfect! He took out the Spanish book and was now able to see it well enough to learn!
I handed him a sample piece of the cellophane and gave him the website - www.irlen.com - where he could learn more and buy large pieces of the gray. I call the cellophanes, or overlays, a $4 cure for Dyslexia for some people: remember, there is no silver bullet.
Most people do not need color to read well. However, there are some people who cannot see well without it! Our brains are all so different, and no one can predict what color will best suit a person. All you can do is have them try each color, compare and feel the difference.
I have had several students claim that they no longer needed the overlays after a few months. I researched and found that Sally Goddard wrote in her book, Reflexes, Learning and Behavior that Scotopic Sensitivity Syndrome (another name for Irlen Syndrome) is related to a retained Moro Reflex which, if retained, can cause light hypersensitivity. Of course our students integrate their Moro reflex, explaining why. Still, I always test for Irlen Syndrome and get them the overlay when necessary so that they can be as successful as possible as quickly as possible. Watch this video on how to integrate the Moro Reflex: https://youtu.be/fQ4K9sw7by8.
It is very interesting to read the articles about Autism and Irlen Syndrome here: http://irlen.com/autism-faqs/. I am not an Autism expert, but I have heard from parents with children on the spectrum. This one is not specifically about Irlen, but about Moro and Autism:
For the last three weeks we have been following the exercises to "integrate the Moro Reflex". My son likes to watch the Ipad and this seemed like good solution. He has a very hard time following independently, but each day is getting better and better. Both my children do them every morning and night.
His teacher has remarked that his tension level at school is declining and it takes longer to 'set' him off. His 'screaming' is down and his participation is up. We have noticed his articulation and general 'talking' to us and others is improving. He even told us he hurt his knee at horse riding. Although not actually spoken (in a complete sentence), but this is the first time he has told us something unprompted or without us asking yes or no questions. I am very much looking forward to seeing what is next. - Mom of a 7 1/2 year old autistic boy
Want to try this on yourself or your child/student/client? You can order them at www.irlen.com or http://store.nrsi.com/nrsi-colored-overlays.html.
I think you will enjoy "seeing" how well they work!
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