Learning expert’s plea: “The time is now to help Australia’s frustrated parents and struggling students”
Renowned U.S. psychologist Helen Irlen to tour Australia; offers interviews, top tips
April 15, 2013
Australia continues to struggle with declining literacy rates and test scores, with no resolution in sight — except for a proposed school-funding package, with a billion-dollar price tag. But if previous education funding has not improved student performances measurably, will this new so-called “Gonski reform” be any different? It’s time to look at alternatives, says a renowned U.S. expert who seeks to save parents and students from further frustration.
Author and educational psychologist Helen Irlen, whose philosophies are practiced in 174 Irlen clinics in 44 countries worldwide, is touring Australia from late April, with stops in Canberra, Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. She brings her unique perspective on why Australian children may be struggling with reading – and offers alternative solutions for addressing this escalating problem.
“The time is now to help Australia’s frustrated parents and struggling students,” says Ms. Irlen. “More effort should be invested in identifying and correcting why children can’t read – and less on worrying about standardised text scores.”
Struggling readers may actually be suffering from visual perceptual disorders, according to Ms. Irlen. Correct and early identification of such disorders can greatly reduce frustration for families – but it may take a team effort from educators, parents and kids alike.
Ms. Irlen proposes that any educational reform investment be centred on retraining school personnel – from teachers and school aides to counsellors and nurses – to detect learning or behavioural issues early on. At-risk children should ideally be screened in Year Two for visual perception disorders which can help eliminate the need for tutoring, or serve as an alternative to medication which Ms. Irlen believes is far too often promoted as the only solution to desperate parents.
Ms. Irlen discovered what’s now known as the “Irlen Method” of treating visual-perceptual, reading, attention and learning disorders. Today, millions of children use Irlen coloured overlays or filter lenses, worn as glasses to manage reading disorders, as well as conditions such as Aspergers, Autism and ADHD.
For frustrated parents who watch their children struggle to read, Ms. Irlen provides these tips:
1. Glasses may not be the cure. Reading glasses for children may not always be the solution, according to Ms. Irlen. “While having a child’s eyes tested if they are struggling with reading is a worthwhile step to take, we have found that in many instances the prescription of corrective lenses is ineffective as reading difficulties are not due to a vision problem but due to a visual perceptual dysfunction. We therefore encourage parents to get their children tested for both issues in order to correctly diagnose the cause of the problem.
2. Keep a close eye. Ms. Irlen reminds parents that it is not normal for kids to be tired or to have physical symptoms – like headaches and stomach aches – from reading. Observe your child, and react by partnering with teachers to explore causes.
3. Don’t blame. Parents sometimes fear that their child suffers from a reading disorder because they didn’t read to him or her enough in formative years. In reality, reading problems are typically hereditary. Just as importantly, don’t blame your child or let others blame your child for being “lazy” or “stupid” which is all too often the case. “Most of the parents of the millions of children with whom we have worked were looking for someone to blame rather than for a physical problem that can be diagnosed and treated,” said Ms. Irlen.
Learn more at www.aaic.org.au.
Ends.
NOTE TO MEDIA:
Ms. Irlen will be in Canberra from 21-24 April, when she will serve as keynote speaker at the Australasian Association of Irlen Consultants’ 2013 Conference. From there, she will travel to Sydney on 25-29 April, Melbourne on 30 April – 1 May, and Brisbane on 2-3 May. She is available for media interviews.
To arrange an interview with Ms. Irlen or for more information, contact Maya from Fresh PR & Marketing on maya@freshprm.com.au or 0410 109 102.
About Irlen Syndrome and the Irlen Method
Irlen Syndrome, also known as Scotopic Sensitivity Syndrome, was first identified by educational psychologist Helen Irlen while she was working with adult learners as Director of the Learning Disability program at California State University Long Beach in the early 1980s. Until described in her book, Reading by the Colours, there was no explanation or treatment for perceptual reading difficulties. Many people were misdiagnosed as dyslexic, slow learners or having ADHD.
The non-medicated, research-based Irlen Method is a groundbreaking, non-invasive technology that uses coloured overlays and spectrally modified filters worn as glasses to enable the brain to process visual information accurately. This technology can improve reading fluency, comfort, comprehension, attention and concentration, while reducing light sensitivity. Of note, Irlen Syndrome is not dyslexia, even though its symptoms overlap and it is often misdiagnosed as dyslexia.
Ms. Irlen’s work was introduced into Australia 25 years ago by Dr. Paul Whiting, a specialist in learning disabilities at the University of Sydney at that time. Today, the Irlen Method is used in over 44 countries and there are over 174 Irlen Clinics worldwide.
Website: www.irlen.com
About Helen Irlen, MA, LMFT
Founder & Executive Director: Irlen Institute International Headquarters
Helen L. Irlen, MA, LMFT is an internationally recognized educator, researcher, therapist, scholar, and expert in the area of visual-perceptual problems. She is the founder and executive director of Irlen, home of the internationally acclaimed Irlen Method.
Ms. Irlen has been in the field of education for the past 30 years. A graduate of Cornell University, her background includes 15 years as a School Psychologist, 30 years as a Child and Family Therapist, Educational Therapist, founder and Director of the Adult Learning Disabilities Program and Assistant Professor of Adult Learning Disabilities at California State University/Long Beach, instructor in psychology at Cornell University, and research assistant at Cornell.
She has been recognized for her dedication to working with children and adults, and is listed in Who’s Who in California, Who’s Who in Asia and the Pacific Nations, International Woman of the Year (1999-2000), International Who’s Who of Professionals, Kingston’s National Registry of Who’s Who, and the Dictionary of International Biography.
Media contact: Maya Gurry – Fresh PR & Marketing
P: 0410 109 102 E: maya@freshprm.com.au
[nggallery id=77]
