Syndrome diagnosis solves problems
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Northern News
Jennifer Hutchinson always knew she had bright children. Priscilla, now 16, needed glasses at six which enhanced her love of reading. Her brother Vinnie, 13, also excelled at a young age, but preferred sport to academics. At school he made slow progress academically. After being tested to establish the basis for his difficulties, he was diagnosed with dyslexia.
It was judged not severe enough to justify further help from school. The future seemed bleak with no obvious solutions available from the education sector.
When Priscilla reached intermediate level, she began to complain of tiredness.
"I felt like I had sand bags tied to me, and everything was an effort."
She was diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) and became so ill she could no longer attend school. She started correspondence from home. Then she too began having issues with reading, such as headaches, blurriness and words appearing to `move'.
An eyesight examination found nothing to explain her specific and worsening symptoms. An optometrist wondered if Priscilla was struggling with a condition known as Irlen syndrome.
She explained that while some optometry symptoms can `overlap', Irlen syndrome is not a problem with actual eyesight – rather an issue with the brain's ability to process visual information.
Irlen syndrome is treated by changing the wavelength (colour) and contrast of reading material, by using a coloured overlay or wearing coloured glasses, precisely tinted to each individual's specific requirements. An examination by a qualified optometrist is an essential part of the diagnosis and treatment. And further testing is required by a registered Irlen clinician.
Both Vinnie and Priscilla tested positive for Irlen syndrome after a visit to Northland's specialist Irlen clinic at Reading Solutions in Kerikeri.
When their tinted glasses arrived, they were both thrilled to discover a whole new world of improvement.
"It's embarrassing to admit but before I got my glasses, everything I looked at seemed to be flat. I just saw trees like you'd see in a drawing. I never told anybody because I'd just adjusted to it," Priscilla says.
"My depth perception is better too. I used to have to wait until there were no cars in sight before I crossed a road, because I couldn't tell how fast they were going. Now I can dash across like everyone else."
Vinnie had no problems with distance or depth perception.
"My problem with reading was the words seemed to move and I'd also get headaches. It was easier to not bother reading, but now I'm enjoying it. And since I've had my specially tinted glasses, my headaches have improved and they help when I'm watching TV or playing video games. And the words don't move any more."
Worldwide, surveys have shown that Irlen syndrome can affect one in eight of the general population, and nearly half of those identified with learning difficulties. These include dyslexia, spelling and writing, maths, or just not reaching their scholastic potential.
Jennifer sees a huge difference in her children.
"Priscilla is back to devouring books, and her judgement of distance has improved immensely, while Vinnie is now actually reading regularly, which he never did before."
- © Fairfax NZ News
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