by Nancy Menn, Director – Dyslexia Reading Connection
A common myth about dyslexia is that dyslexic people see things backwards. This is not true. Dyslexia is not a vision problem, it is a language processing disorder unrelated to vision. However, many people — both dyslexic and non — suffer from a condition called Scotopic Sensitivity Syndrome (SSS.) It is also called Irlen Syndrome after Helen Irlen who first identified the problem and the solution.
People with SSS see a variety of distortions on the page (and often in their world at large.) The distortions can vary from slight to severe and can include letters that move around on the page, words or portions that fade away, the white standing out so prominently that the black cannot be identified as letters, flashes of color on the page, shadows of colors on the page, and a variety of other distortions. People with SSS also experience physical discomfort such as headaches, eye pain or fatigue, restlessness, dizziness, or nausea from reading. The distortions and discomfort make reading from “slow and difficult” to impossible.
SSS is most noticeable when reading black print on bright, white paper under fluorescent lights. The brain processes the different colors of the light spectrum at different speeds. Thus, the eye functions perfectly but, the image that reaches the portion of the brain that interprets what the eyes have seen is distorted. People with SSS do not realize that others are not dealing with the same image that they see. They often wonder how others read so easily when it’s so hard for them. Children may seem inattentive or poorly motivated when they are simply seeking relief from a painful activity.
The condition is hereditary. There is no cure but, for many people the use of colored overlays or colored filters are effective in reducing or eliminating the distortions and discomfort. A person who is dyslexic will still need instruction in reading but SSS must be addressed first. For a person who is not dyslexic, eliminating the distortions opens up the world of reading instantly. Dyslexia Reading Connection® has a Certified Irlen Screener on staff. See www.Irlen.com for more information. Call Nancy Menn if you want to discuss concerns about Irlen Syndrome or dyslexia for yourself or your child (920-422-2665).
