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Using Irlen Coloured Lenses for Reading: A Clinical Study

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 October 2015

Paul R. Whiting  and
Gregory L.W. Robinson
Paul R. Whiting*
Affiliation:
The Evelyn McCloughan Children's Centre, Sydney College of Advanced Education
Gregory L.W. Robinson
Affiliation:
Special Education Centre, Hunter lnstitute of Higher Education
*
Sydney Institute of Education, P.O. Box 63, Camperdown, 2050 Australia
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Abstract

Some recent evidence from both clinical and empirical studies has suggested that some cases of reading disability might be helped by the use of Irlen tinted lenses. Clinical work has been carried out in two special education centres, at Sydney CAE and at Hunter Institute of Higher Education. Four hundred and sixty five clients from these centres, all of whom had reading problems, and who had worn Irlen lenses fora minimum of 12 months were surveyed to assess their evaluation of the usefulness of the lenses for a variety of literacy-related difficulties. Ninety three percent indicated a definite improvement in these difficulties. Largest improvements were reported in amount of effort required to read, fluency of reading, concentration, and comprehension. In each factorsurveyed, more than 50% of respondents indicated definite improvements, including handwriting, spelling, tiredness, and self-confidence. Telephone checks with non-respondents indicated that the results are probably reliable for the whole of the population surveyed.

Type
Research Article
Information
The Educational and Developmental Psychologist , Volume 5 , Issue 2 , November 1988 , pp. 7 - 10
Copyright
Copyright © Australian Psychological Society 1988

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