Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-dk4vv Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-27T02:52:40.103Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Using Irlen Coloured Lenses for Reading: A Clinical Study

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 October 2015

Paul R. Whiting  and
Gregory L.W. Robinson
Paul R. Whiting*
Affiliation:
The Evelyn McCloughan Children's Centre, Sydney College of Advanced Education
Gregory L.W. Robinson
Affiliation:
Special Education Centre, Hunter lnstitute of Higher Education
*
Sydney Institute of Education, P.O. Box 63, Camperdown, 2050 Australia
Get access

Abstract

Some recent evidence from both clinical and empirical studies has suggested that some cases of reading disability might be helped by the use of Irlen tinted lenses. Clinical work has been carried out in two special education centres, at Sydney CAE and at Hunter Institute of Higher Education. Four hundred and sixty five clients from these centres, all of whom had reading problems, and who had worn Irlen lenses fora minimum of 12 months were surveyed to assess their evaluation of the usefulness of the lenses for a variety of literacy-related difficulties. Ninety three percent indicated a definite improvement in these difficulties. Largest improvements were reported in amount of effort required to read, fluency of reading, concentration, and comprehension. In each factorsurveyed, more than 50% of respondents indicated definite improvements, including handwriting, spelling, tiredness, and self-confidence. Telephone checks with non-respondents indicated that the results are probably reliable for the whole of the population surveyed.

Type
Research Article
Information
The Educational and Developmental Psychologist , Volume 5 , Issue 2 , November 1988 , pp. 7 - 10
Copyright
Copyright © Australian Psychological Society 1988

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Adler, L., & Atwood, M. (1987). Poor Readers: What do they really see on the page? East San Gabriel Valley Regional Occupational Program with statistical analysis by Los Angeles County Office of Education.Google Scholar
Irlen, H. (1983). Successful treatment of learning disabilities. Paper presented at the 91 st Annual Convention of the American Psychological Association, Anaheim, Calif.Google Scholar
Haag, S.R. (1984). The IDPS Children’s Form: a validity study. M.Sc. Thesis, Deptof Educational Psychology, California State University, Long Beach.Google Scholar
Meares, O. (1980). Figure/Background, Brightness/ Contrast and Reading Disabilities. Visible Language. 14, 13–29.Google Scholar
Miller, L. (1985). Scotopic sensitivity and reading disability. M.A. Thesis, California State University, Long Beach.Google Scholar
O’Connor, P.D. & Sofo, F. (1988). Dyslexia and tinted lenses: a response to Gordon Stanley. Australian Journal of Remedial Education. 20, 10–12.Google Scholar
O’Connor, P.D., Sofo, F., Kendall, L. & Olsen, G. (in press). Reading disabilities and the effect of coloured filters.Google Scholar
Robinson, G.L. & Miles, J. (1987). The use of coloured overlays to improve visual processing — a preliminary survey. The Exceptional Child. 34, 65–70.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Robinson, G.L. & Conway, R. (1988). Reading disabilities and tinted lenses: a 12-month study. Unpublished manuscript.Google Scholar
Stanley, G. (1987). Colour filters and dyslexia Australian Journal of Remedial Education. 19, 8–9.Google Scholar
Stanley, G. & Howell, E. (1987). Colour and reading disability. Unpublished paper. Dept of Psychology, University of Melbourne.Google Scholar
Whiting, P.R. (1985). How difficult can reading be? New insight into reading problems. The Teaching of English. 49, 49–55.Google Scholar
Winter, S. (1987). Irlen Lenses: an appraisal. Australian Educational and Developmental Psychologist. 4, 1–5.CrossRefGoogle Scholar