The Difference Between Irlen® Syndrome And Dyslexia.
Note: It is possible to have both dyslexia and Irlen® Syndrome, and both conditions can impact other areas besides reading.
To find out more about Irlen® Syndrome, visit www.irlensyndrome.org, and to learn more about dyslexia, visit dyslexiaida.org.
@Irlen Syndrome Foundation 2017
Irlen® SYNDROME VS Dyslexia
WHAT’S THE CAUSE OF MY READING DIFFICULTIES?
- Does your reading need more accuracy and fluency?
- Do you avoid reading aloud?
- Do you need better comprehension?
These common problems can have two very distinct causes.
WHICH IS IT?
DYSLEXIA or IRLEN® SYNDROME?
Dyslexia Is Language Processing
Problems identifying speech sounds and learning how they relate to letters and words.
Irlen Syndrome Is Visual Processing
The brain’s inability to process visual information correctly.
Dyslexia Is A Phonological Deficit
Need help finding a way to represent and/or recall the basic sound units in the letters/words seen on the page.
Irlen Syndrome Is Visual Distortions & Physical Discomfort
Words may move, blur, shift, change, and distort, and individuals may experience headaches, eye strain, nausea, fatigue, or other physical symptoms.
With dyslexia, the brain region affected is the left temporal lobe.
With Irlen syndrome, the brain region affected is the visual cortex.
Dyslexia Intervention Includes:
- Affects the ability to acquire reading skills, intervention focuses on improving phonemic awareness through specific reading instruction.
- Reading Instruction that focuses on phonemic awareness and multi-sensory instruction.
Irlen® Syndrome Intervention Includes:
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Irlen® Syndrome can affect the ability to acquire reading skills but also can affect the ability to utilize existing reading skills. Intervention removes barriers to acquiring and utilizing skills – not a method of reading instruction.
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Colored lenses and overlays to normalize brain function in the visual cortex, eliminate visual distortions and remove physical discomfort.