EdPlace offers thousands of interactive learning resources from year 1 to GCSE, made accessible for children with SEND. We’re here to help support your child through their learning journey. We understand that finding the type of support your child may need can be daunting.
Mandy, our Head of SEND provides a generalised overview on some of the most common questions when it comes to supporting your child’s education.
Please note: It’s important to remember that each diagnosis is unique to the individual. There are personal, LA and regional differences in diagnostic routes and available interventions.
Irlen’s Syndrome is a perceptual processing disorder. It’s not an optical problem, It’s a problem with the brain’s ability to process visual information.
Sometimes Irlens is confused with Dyslexia as some of the symptoms are similar.
A Colourmetrist at specialist optician’s can diagnose Irlens if you feel that your child has the symptoms of visual stress. Assessments for Irlens aren’t available on the NHS.
Some behaviours and symptoms that you may see in a child with Irlen’s
Childhood headaches are a common symptom of Irlens and often the most apparent, which encourages parents to seek medical advice or an eye test for their child. Headaches are associated with tiredness, so you may notice that your child with SSS, looking fatigued.
Children with Irlen’s may have an intolerance to bright lights and computer screens.
They may describe seeing revines in chunks of text or the letters and words moving around on the page. The glare of the bright white page and the contrast of the black font creates visual stress and therefore may become unreadable for some. You may see your child with Irlens squinting, looking away or rubbing their eyes when reading.
Poor spatial awareness and clumsiness is also common with visual stress. If you are concerned about your child, you must seek advice from your GP.
Visual Stress Superpowers
People with visual stress all have their own personal attributes and skills on top of VS superpowers, such as listening and creativity! Gathering most of your information from auditory instruction takes lots of practice. Heightening your hearing sense is a super-skill which will give you an advantage is lots of situations.
Additional support
EdPlace educational resources supports students with Irlen’s
All of these features can help your child with Irlen’s Syndrome to engage in learning, discreetly using their personalised preference to help them reach their full potential.
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