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Don't Miss Our Dynamic Speakers!
Don't miss this opportunity to meet Helen Irlen and hear from some of the most premier leaders in the field! Meet and interact with Diagnosticians and Screeners from countries such as Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Switzerland, Egypt, Canada, Jordan, Ecuador, and Spain. The conference is open to all Irlen Screeners and PASS Screeners from July 10-12, and is open to members of the general public July 11-12. For information about registration, please click here.
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93 New Screeners in Brazil
Drs. Marcia and Ricardo Guimarães in Brazil would like to share with you photos from their most recent screener training course in which they trained 93 new screeners. It is very exciting to see the interest in Irlen that has been created by Drs. Marcia and Ricardo Guimarães. As highly skilled and respected ophthalmologists and researchers who head the largest eye hospital in Brazil, they have worked tirelessly to introduce and gain respectability for Irlen in Brazil.
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New Irlen App for Android
Android users, the Irlen App is here! Irlen technology for your phone and tablet. Reduce glare, eliminate eyestrain, improve clarity, and increase comfort! Get it today on Google Play.
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Irlen Egypt Activity Continues
Rasha Anwar, Irlen Screener in Egypt, continues to increase awareness of Irlen Syndrome and Irlen Method in the Egyptian and Arab community of professionals and academicians. She participated by presenting at the 13th Illiteracy and Adult Education Conference entitled Arab Decade (2015 - 2024). Her paper put forward a way for specialists, academics, and the involved members in civil society and the private sector to take advantage of the Irlen Method. She emphasized that the Irlen Method, using colors technology, not only improves the ability to read and learn, but affects all activities carried out by the person. Accordingly, it could be helpful to achieve the principle of empowerment that goes implicit in the overall concept of adult education.
The opportunity for Rasha to present this new way of thinking outside the box in front of a large gathering of education college professors, at Ain Shams University and the Center for Adult Education, was a golden moment. She hopes that her presentation would serve Egypt and the Arab world to get rid of the problem of illiteracy and to enhance the well-being of Arab citizens at all levels. We want to thank Rasha for her continuing efforts to educate others and using every available opportunity to present information on the Irlen Method. Rasha opens people’s eyes to the Life-Changing Colorful Solutions.
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Irlen Syndrome on Al Majlis TV in Kuwait with Dr. Sameera AbdulWahab
Congratulations to Dr. Sameera AbdulWahab, Irlen Screener in Kuwait. She writes that she had another opportunity to be on Al Majlis TV (the official channel for Kuwaiti Parliament) on May 3, 2015. She talked about Irlen Syndrome: who discovered it, the symptoms, how the words look, and brain scan before and after using the filters and lenses. A ten year old student talked about himself, how he was misdiagnosed, transferred to three schools, punished by teachers...how he improved after using Irlen filters. And finally, Dr. AbdulWahab talked about the Irlen overlays and filters. Here is the link for the interview: http://youtu.be/fFZnx529sBU
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Client's Words to Mona Kazim, Irlen Screener in Saudi Arabia
A picture is worth a thousand words. This is an image sent to Mona Kazim via instagram.
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Orientation in Biggest Eye Hospital in the Middle East
Rashwa Anwar, Irlen Screener in Egypt writes, “As a fruitful result of my ongoing networking efforts, I've been able a few months ago to successfully build a relationship with management of Magrabi Eye Hospital in Cairo. The hospital is a subsidiary of Magrabi Medical Group that also includes Magrabi Retail, Magrabi Hospitals & Centers, Magrabi Foundation (philanthropic), and AMICO, which is a leading distributor of medical equipment in the Middle East and Africa. The group holds scientific activities in the region, such as international meetings and symposiums. They have also a prestigious training center in Cairo with an intensive schedule of lectures and workshops all over the year.
I had two previous meetings with key persons in the hospital. The first one took place after a couple of months from being a screener, and it was with Dr. Akmal Rizk, Ophthalmic Consultant & Head of Pediatric Ophthalmology Department, who is also a professor and the head of that division at the Faculty of Medicine in Cairo University. The meeting was short, but time was enough to introduce the Irlen Syndrome. He seemed not opposing the concept as he said "IS seems logical as sometimes I see unexplained vision problem cases." Dr. Rizk is one of many pediatric ophthalmologists to whom I refer cases to have full eye examination prior to IS screening.
The second meeting was last November with Dr. Gamal Ez El Arab, the administrative director of the hospital, and it took a considerable amount of time. He showed interest of what I explained, and we both hoped for mutual cooperation but no actions were taken. Yesterday, I contacted Dr. Ez El Arab to discuss potential venues for cooperation. Meanwhile, I told him of my upcoming training to be an Irlen Diagnostician, which will certainly impact the depth and perspective of what could be done. He praised my step which he sees beneficial for visual rehabilitation and vision impairment cases in Egypt. When I asked him about giving a presentation in their training center, he immediately welcomed the idea and asked me to send him my proposal. He promised to include it in the training schedule for the third quarter of 2015; i.e., from July to September.”
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Irlen Material Translated into Bulgarian
In the beginning of 2015, “Reading Problems, Dyslexia, and Learning Difficulties" was translated into Bulgarian; and it was received with great interest on the part of Bulgarian teachers and specialists. They will next translate and upload practical advice which is given in a detailed and structured way in another material found on www.irlen.com: “How Teachers can Help” http://irlen.com/what-you-can-do/. This is being organized by a group of Bulgarian NGO who are currently running a project for capacity building and awareness raising on inclusive education, LD, and child participation in mainstream schools. The group targets parents, teachers, and specialists with a view to supporting them in developing inclusive climates for all children to flourish with a focus on children with learning challenges. For more information on this organization and for their “One School for All” project, please follow these links: http://www.cie-bg.eu/cgi-bin/index.pl and http://www.cie-bg.eu/cgi-bin/index.pl_state=AboutUs&aboutus.ID=74&o=74&FatherID=33&LANG=en&changelang=yes.
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Other Noteworthy News
An Update on Pharmacotherapy for Autism Spectrum Disorder in Children and Adolescents
Na Young Ji, Robert L. Findling - Disclosures - Curr Opin Psychiatry. 2015;28(2):91-101
Summary Current evidence-based pharmacotherapy options in children with ASD are very limited, and many have substantial adverse events. Clinicians should use pharmacotherapy as a part of comprehensive treatment, and judiciously weigh risks and benefits. New pharmacotherapy options for core symptoms as well as co-occurring symptoms of ASD are in urgent need.
Abstract.
Purpose of review. Although there is no known efficacious pharmacotherapy for core symptoms of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), psychotropic medications are commonly prescribed for behavioral/emotional symptoms associated with ASD. We reviewed current evidence-based pharmacotherapy options and updates from recent noteworthy studies.
Recent findings. Atypical antipsychotics, particularly risperidone and aripiprazole, are effective in reducing irritability, stereotypy and hyperactivity. Metabolic adverse events, including weight gain and dyslipidemia, are common. Methylphenidate is effective in reducing attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms. Atomoxetine and alpha-2 agonists appear effective in reducing ADHD symptoms. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors are not effective in improving repetitive behaviors in children with ASD, and frequently cause activating adverse events. Efficacy of antiepileptic drugs is inconclusive. Overall, efficacy and tolerability of pharmacotherapy in children with ASD are less favorable than data seen in typically developing children with similar symptoms. Newer agents, including glutamatergic agents and oxytocin, appear promising albeit with mixed results.
Concussion May Affect Children’s Academic Performance
Researchers followed 349 students, ages 5 to 18, who had a concussion and found that 77% had difficulty taking notes and took longer to complete homework, while 88% of those still recovering experienced fatigue, headaches, had problems concentrating, or found it difficult to understand lessons. The findings, published in Pediatrics, also showed students with more severe head injuries more likely were to have the most academic problems. Time.com (5/11)
Report Estimates 10% of Children Are Diagnosed With ADHD
A report from the CDC says that 1 in 10 children and teenagers has been diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Boys are diagnosed at about double the rate of girls. Hispanic children and teens are the least likely to be diagnosed with ADHD, and children from more affluent families are less likely to have an ADHD diagnosis than children from lower-income families. HealthDay News (5/14)
Girls With Autism Fare Worse Than Boys, Study Finds
While girls are far less likely than boys to be diagnosed with autism, girls with the developmental disorder show more impairments compared to their healthy female peers than comparable sets of boys do, new research suggests. Scientists from the University of California Davis MIND Institute contend that girls with autism may suffer from greater social deficits than boys with the condition, which is characterized by problems with emotional and communication skills. Study: Girls with autism show greater social impairments HealthDay News (5/13)
BestColleges.com Offers Online Resources For Students With Disabilities
According to the National Center for Education Statistics, over 700,000 college students - or 3.5% - have some type of disability. While students with disabilities may face unique challenges, they're entitled to the same quality of education as any other student. This online guide walks readers with both physical and learning disabilities through their legal rights, where to find assistance on campus, and provides an extensive list of websites, apps, and software resources designed for specific needs. The online planning tools and academic resources are presented to help students and their families advocate for quality education. College Resources for Students with Disabilities can be found here: http://www.bestcolleges.com/resources/disabled-students/
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Support "100 in 100" to Train 100 New Screeners
Donate to the nonprofit Irlen Syndrome Foundation today to support the "100 in 100 Campaign" to train 100 new Irlen Screeners in 100 days. www.irlensyndrome.org
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Have You Joined The Conversation?
Our Twitter network is growing and we have lots of interesting things to share! Join Irlen on Twitter and stay on the pulse of all things Irlen. Find us @SeeIrlen and don't forget to hashtag #Irlen when you tweet!
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Thought for the Day
14-year-old Caroline Archer submitted the following text as a response to her recent homework assignment "Describe the Room you are in Now."
"Describe the Room you are in Now"
By Caroline Archer
Slipping into the room, my heart began to beat as if it were never to beat normally again. Comfy cloud-like carpet grabs hold of my feet making me regret having to sit on the boney structure of the chair. Peering around, the sharp light drags my attention away from any intentions I have – they are long gone now. Trying to look away, I turn my head towards the ancient box of pixels gathering together performing the next show. I’ve never been interested in this toxic TV people talk about. What is it with that light?
Daggers of light attack the corners of my eyes, piercing into my skull. Unable to avoid it, I returned to the sight, awaiting the pain soon to appear. I can feel it slowly making its way to my brain as if it were a 90-year-old woman. It’s just a bit of pointless sun reflecting off useless plastic to normal people, but it means much more than that to me. Why can’t I be normal?
Minutes zoom by and it is that time again, the time I have been both looking forward to and dreading. Thrilled to see me, the dimpled box of cures leaps onto the table. Familiar sensations of minute dust particles tickle the outside of my nose, daring me to sneeze. Resisting the temptation, I force the annoying fellas elsewhere. Has it really been that long since the mysterious box cured pain?
Creaking open, the joints of the elderly case come into use. Deceivingly, the gothic box of darkness contains a rainbow of colours giving each and every sheet a personality. Eyeing the multiple personalities, I try to imagine which fits mine best. Carefully sprinting my eyes over the many choices I have, the spear of light edges towards me at speed once again. Trying to avert my focus back to the colour sheets, my mind battles the light as it always has done. When will this battle be over?
Picking out the most comfortable colours, I take another peek at my surroundings. Bending buildings looking down on me. Fierce fences ready to fight me. Blinding black writing prepared to shout at me. Usually I’d try to avoid it entirely, but it’s time to make the most of the torture I’ve been living in all my life. As I look down towards the delicate colours that would change my life forever, I am violently attacked by that recurring light on the wall. How have I survived this ongoing pain for so long?
Anxiously I take a firm grip on the two circular sheets of personality, preparing myself for the moment I had been waiting my whole life for – to be able to see like a normal person. You see, all of these distracting distortions seem natural to me. Casually I lifted the colours to my face and peer around at my new surrounding. Black writing calmly speaking to me. Fences guarding me from unknown passers by. Buildings standing tall and proud. Welcoming box of cures. No more blade of light. Even better, no more pain. Blocking out the harsh rays of light, the lenses give me the peace and quiet I’ve desired my whole life. That is the life of someone with Irlen Syndrome.
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