What is Visual Stress?
Visual Stress (also known as Irlen Syndrome) is a processing condition that can cause migraines, difficulties in reading and writing, tiredness, and eye soreness. Many readers actually find that conventional black text on white and often shiny paper makes reading uncomfortable.
It is often linked with dyslexia and can cause blurring and distortion of print or create the illusion that text is moving as you are trying to read. It can sometimes cause the letters on the page to change size and shape and in some circumstances can give the reader the impression that there are areas of colour on a white page of black text.
According to the Irlen website, Irlen Syndrome Affects:
12-14% of the general population
46% of individuals with reading and learning difficulties
33% with ADHD
33% with autism
55% with a head injury, concussion, or whiplash
What can be done to help children experiencing Visual Stress?
There are a number of strategies that can be put in place, it is not a one size fits all approach and what works for one child may not work for another but below is a list of options that can be tried:
- Using an off-white or cream/beige paper rather than a white copier can help as it reduces the side effect of glare that can make reading a challenge. This can be a very cost-effective way of managing symptoms as the off-white paper is quite often cheaper than pure white counterparts.
- Using coloured backgrounds or overlays helps to make text stand out and can be a simple yet effective way to alleviate Visual Stress. Indeed, using coloured paper and overlays has been shown to increase reading speed by 22% and using reading rulers can increase reading speed by around 20%.
- Using a reading ruler or reading window helps the reader to keep track of which line they are reading and to lessen the visual illusion of the words moving around on the page.
- Another option is a wearable word highlighter whereby readers follow along with texts or images using the finger-pointing method while the highlighter clearly frames what to read.
How does using an overlay or coloured background help?
It is thought that the way in which coloured overlays etc work is that they calm or reduce what is known as hyper-excitability in the brain's visual cortex, which in turn reduces or gets rid of the symptoms of Visual Stress. Coloured overlays alter the speed at which signals are passed from the eye to the brain and slow down the whole process which in turn helps the words on the page to appear clearer.
Below are some examples of some tools that we sell that may be useful. We do also have coloured overlays, highlighters and reading rulers that are special order items and so are not on the website but we would be more than happy to send over a quote or more details! If you would like tosee the full range or would like any more information please email anna@bossdirect.co.uk or give us a call on 01204 458 888
