Dyslexia or eye problem?

[Sooze2]

My son has been doing homework this evening where he needed to draw and colour a picture. He had to keep stopping because he said the drawing kept doubling and joining up and crossing over itself, that is the only way I can discribe what he said. I told him to look and the picture on the wall in front of him for a while to re-focus which helped a bit but it still kept happening. Hubby says he has always had the same thing when reading get so that is why he doesn't read, DS's reading is great but writing etc poor. He had an eye test a few months ago and the optition said that the muscle in one of his eyes is a bit weak, could this cause what I discribed or is it something else?

 

We are still sure he is dylexic but the school said not a couple of years ago. Not sure what to do about this, he said he gets this at school but I suppose he could have just been tired eh.

 

Any advise would be appreciated xx

[cathyz]

Hi

 

I've spent years since my son was about 8 trying to get him tested for dyslexia but primary, secondary schools and college said no but hes just joined the Navy and on his first day he had to fill in forms and at the end was asked to explain the difference between his original application and what he'd done that day so he had to say I'd filled the first ones in.

 

Anyway next day they tested him for dyslexia and at last he has a diagnosis and they also tested for Irlens syndrome (which means amonst other things print moves about when hes trying to read). So hes going to get help with his written exams and tinted glasses to help with the irlens.

 

I'd never heard of Irlens before and googled it and found out loads there also lots on here about it too and I'm now going to get my 10 year old tested as he is struggling in the same way, thwe only snag I've found is that it seems theres very few places that test for it and as I live in the middle of nowhere in the southwest I've got to do more research to find somewhere more local.

 

Keep on at the school and any other profesionals you're involved with because when I look back school, exams and all sorts could have been so different for my son if we'd been listened to earlier.

[julieann]

Hi

 

I've spent years since my son was about 8 trying to get him tested for dyslexia but primary, secondary schools and college said no but hes just joined the Navy and on his first day he had to fill in forms and at the end was asked to explain the difference between his original application and what he'd done that day so he had to say I'd filled the first ones in.

 

Anyway next day they tested him for dyslexia and at last he has a diagnosis and they also tested for Irlens syndrome (which means amonst other things print moves about when hes trying to read). So hes going to get help with his written exams and tinted glasses to help with the irlens.

 

I'd never heard of Irlens before and googled it and found out loads there also lots on here about it too and I'm now going to get my 10 year old tested as he is struggling in the same way, thwe only snag I've found is that it seems theres very few places that test for it and as I live in the middle of nowhere in the southwest I've got to do more research to find somewhere more local.

 

Keep on at the school and any other profesionals you're involved with because when I look back school, exams and all sorts could have been so different for my son if we'd been listened to earlier.

Hi Cathyz,

The problem with Irlens syndrome is that the test isn't available on the NHS for children. This puts parents off taking the test in case after testing their child doesn't have it. You could ask your son's school SEN department if they have any of the coloured overlay sheets that pupil's use in school. Some schools don't keep them as they are £10 for each colour. If they have them they can try each colour with a page of text and see which is best. Obviously with Irlen's testing they can accurately tell which colour lens your child needs. I know this method is used in schools and does help a lot of pupils.

 

I bought a very informative book called Seeing through new eyes Changing the lives of children with autism, asperger's syndrome and other developmental disabilities through vision therapy by Melvin Kaplin in 2006.

 

Quote from back cover:

Seeing through new eyes offers an accessible introduction to the treatment of visual dysfunction, a significant but neglected problem associated with autism spectrum disorders (ASD's) and other developmental disabilities. Dr Kaplin identifies common ASD symptoms such as hand flapping, poor eye contact, and tantrums as typical responses to the confusion caused by vision disorder. He also explains the effects of difficulties that people with autism experience with "ambient vision" including lack of spatial awareness and trouble with co-ordination.This book is essential reading for parents ofchildren with ASD's and professionals in the fiels of autism, optometry and opthalmology, psychology and education.

 

I found it to be a very interesting and informative read.

Julieann

[Ian Jordan]

Kaplans book would be controversial in optical / medical circles (myself I consider it to be of limited use, there is so much that is not addressed in the book, and much of that unaddressed is important).

 

Irlen syndrome is only a part of the range of visual processing problems that may cause dyslexia (and some of them can be addressed under the NHS)

Edited September 30, 2009 by Ian Jordan

[julieann]

Kaplans book would be controversial in optical / medical circles (myself I consider it to be of limited use, there is so much that is not addressed in the book, and much of that unaddressed is important).

 

Irlen syndrome is only a part of the range of visual processing problems that may cause dyslexia (and some of them can be addressed under the NHS)

 

Thats interesting. He is a qualified doctor of Optometry. Are his books seen as controversial in the uk or is it also in New York were he has a centre for visual management.

 

Julieann

[Daisydot]

My son used coloured overlays and was then referred for coloured glasses which really helped him to read. Its not available onthe NHS, but if you google Myers Irlense Syndrome

(hope I have spelled that right) you will find optomotrists in your area who do this. There are not that many though as its still quite a specialist area. Alternatively, contact the Institute of Optometry in Elephant & Castle, London. I find my son uses his glasses less these days, but its worth looking into. Apparently, most people who are dyslexic find they help, but there are other people who find them useful as well.

 

My sons glasses were Kermit green !

[Sally44]

You could also ask the optician to check that your son has binocular vision. You need the eye muscles in both eyes to be working to pull together the two images into one. My son used to see double of alot of things when they were about arms length and nearer. Sometimes the brain screens out the image from one eye to stop this confusion. You usually notice it when you move an object such as a pencil closer to the child's nose and tell them to keep looking at it. At some point the weaker eye will not be able to keep up the focus and the eye will appear to turn away from the pencil.

Irlen Syndrome is also another possibility and some NHS hospitals do assess for coloured overlays, but not for the glasses.

Ian Jordan has also posted about the system he uses, which maybe more comprehensive then Irlen screening.

Many adults with autism use irlen lenses such as Wendy Lawson and Donna Williams.

And I would have thought that any difficulties with visual perception is going to have a knock on effect with reading and writing skills.

[Sooze2]

And I would have thought that any difficulties with visual perception is going to have a knock on effect with reading and writing skills.

 

Yes but it's all to do with his Autism and lack of concentration silly billy!!! Sorry, the sarcasm isn't directed at you at all honestly, you all know where I'm coming from. I am generally giving up now to be honest - see my post about Maths homework and you will see why. Hopefully Secondary School will be better. Or perhaps moving to a desert island would be an alternative. Still never mind off to see my DD's teacher tomorrow about why her reading hasn't progressed past level 2 - she's in year 2 and already 7. Hey ho. Think I may post about that now.

 

Thank you for all your helpfull replies.

 

Edited for spelling - ha ha, on a dyslexia post

Edited October 12, 2009 by Sooze2

[Sally44]

Yes I used to be told that all the time. That 'autistic children tend to have difficulties with reading/writing/numeracy' etc. I was also told that my son should be 'allowed to be autistic and pace up and down the fence line'. But it isn't true. What you need is evidence of the specific difficulty and how that has to be met in school. For example my son's social skills and social language difficulties are being worked on and he is supported to join in and play and therefore no longer walks up and down the fence line. It has been identified that he has difficulty with auditory memory, working memory, auditory processing etc which all impact on his ability to access whole class learning. So he is taught in small groups and is supported by a TA and his work is structured so that he can complete it independently.

But there are still lots of things I need to follow up with them. For example his statement says that dyslexia is probable. Yet the LEA have changed the job described of the dyslexia outreach teacher. She no longer goes out to schools. Plus she has been off sick with stress for over 9 months. So I feel a letter coming on in the next couple of weeks.

It is a tiring process. But you just need to keep plodding on, putting everything in writing and gathering evidence so that you have it when you need it. And yes, the WHOLE of the statement is supposed to be carried out.

[trekster]

Hello

 

Since it is easier to get prescription glasses (at least IME it was) than a dyslexia diagnosis and hes been

told there are weak muscles in his eye, i would go the specs route 1st.

 

It is very difficult to identify dyslexia in autistic kids. Many of my friends have managed to get a diagnoses

for one with ease but not the other, ie they were diagnosed with dyslexia but then autism was questioned

or vice versa. One of my autistic friends was misdiagnosed with dyslexia on his way to an autism diagnosis.

 

I suspected for a long time that i could be dyslexic, I had refused an eye test due to extreme photo sensitivity

until a few months ago where i was told "you have mild long-sightedness".

 

I was told about 4 years ago "you have mild compensatory dyslexia", about 2 years later a lovely ed psych

assessed me (Dr Peter Parkhouse) and mentioned "you have dyslexic traits". He even let me see a copy of my

report before a final draft was made. In order for me to get diagnosed as an adult I've been told I would have to pay

£400 and since the autism tends to overlap with the dyslexic symptoms it makes it even more complicated.

 

i know my spelling is worse when i attempt to type on a white lettered keyboard and that my reading comprehension

is better when i read upside down! Also i tend to get opposite words muddled up for example whilst writing this

post, the italicised word was written as "lenses" which is what I've used for my dyslexia!

 

Alexis

[trekster]

Hi

 

I've spent years since my son was about 8 trying to get him tested for dyslexia but primary, secondary schools and college said no but hes just joined the Navy and on his first day he had to fill in forms and at the end was asked to explain the difference between his original application and what he'd done that day so he had to say I'd filled the first ones in.

 

Anyway next day they tested him for dyslexia and at last he has a diagnosis and they also tested for Irlens syndrome (which means amongst other things print moves about when hes trying to read). So hes going to get help with his written exams and tinted glasses to help with the irlens.

 

I'd never heard of Irlens before and googled it and found out loads there also lots on here about it too and I'm now going to get my 10 year old tested as he is struggling in the same way, the only snag I've found is that it seems there's very few places that test for it and as I live in the middle of nowhere in the southwest I've got to do more research to find somewhere more local.

 

If you are free this Thursday evening, there is an adult dyslexia group (AFAIK) the only one of it's kind meeting near Taunton at The Falcon Hotel. They meet on the last Thursday of the month (i can't make this week due to transport problems) except in December. i know you asked about your child but just in case your son needs a hand too thought i might share.

 

If you google "visual stress", you might come up with colorimeter optometrists, i found i was able to get my specs from "Bell and Stenton in Yatton" the 2nd time around but we had to pay 4 times as much for the Irlen ones in Chard. i was embarrassed about being tested and instead of knowing how to ask for a break tended to give some of the answers they wanted. Then i got muddled up in the colorimeter testing between the number 1s and 2s. i used to have "severe scotopic sensitivity syndrome" and needed my specs virtually all the time i was awake but recently i believe due to chelation the fatigue side of the syndrome has meant im now moderately affected.

 

If you cant get the dyslexia diagnosis then ask about using visual overlays to help your son. i bought one overlay in staples and opened up someone's eyes to the world of dyslexia! He was unable to communicate the words "i cant read them though" in response to information leaflets being given to him so i dont think hes ever been diagnosed. Hes one of the very unlucky ones whose never managed to find his feet.

 

Some "colour dyslexia" (as i prefer to call it) folk need overlays, some need specs and some need a combination of the 2. You cannot tell what colour your son will need so its possible he might end up with a colour he cannot stand. Nighttime hyperactivity and strange dreams can be a dyslexic trait and i certainly have those symptoms lol.

Keep on at the school and any other professionals you're involved with because when I look back school, exams and all sorts could have been so different for my son if we'd been listened to earlier.

 

 

I feel the same especially wondering how I muddled through my GCSEs! I knew I could do better at school and thought it was something wrong with me not the way my brain processed the information. i bought the book "the gift of dyslexia" and it is really enlightening. it mentions how many dyslexics are kinaesthetic learners and suggests ways they can learn how to write letters.

 

Alexis

[trekster]

Hello julieann

 

You wrote

Hi Cathyz,

The problem with Irlens syndrome is that the test isn't available on the NHS for children. This puts parents off taking the test in case after testing their child doesn't have it. You could ask your son's school SEN department if they have any of the coloured overlay sheets that pupil's use in school. Some schools don't keep them as they are £10 for each colour. If they have them they can try each colour with a page of text and see which is best. Obviously with Irlen's testing they can accurately tell which colour lens your child needs. I know this method is used in schools and does help a lot of pupils.

 

trekster reply

i didn't realise this was still a problem in schools. i used my back-pay of one benefit to pay for my glasses and of the other benefit to buy myself a new computer. i still have that in my house.

 

you then wrote

I bought a very informative book called Seeing through new eyes Changing the lives of children with autism, asperger's syndrome and other developmental disabilities through vision therapy by Melvin Kaplin in 2006.

 

trekster reply

Thank you so much for sharing this book with us, it will help me with my "challenging behaviour? or communication" essay and also for me to understand myself and many others who need vision therapy.

 

you then wrote

Quote from back cover:

Seeing through new eyes offers an accessible introduction to the treatment of visual dysfunction, a significant but neglected problem associated with autism spectrum disorders (ASD's) and other developmental disabilities. Dr Kaplin identifies common ASD symptoms such as hand flapping, poor eye contact, and tantrums as typical responses to the confusion caused by vision disorder. He also explains the effects of difficulties that people with autism experience with "ambient vision" including lack of spatial awareness and trouble with co-ordination. This book is essential reading for parents of children with ASD's and professionals in the fields of autism, optometry and ophthalmology, psychology and education.

 

I found it to be a very interesting and informative read.

Julieann

 

trekster reply

i will ask my mentor today what she thinks. She has a background in education and as soon as the DSA comes through (haven't been told either way what's happening with that yet) i will stock up on relevant literature.

 

Alexis

[Ian Jordan]

If anyone wants more info they can download two of my books on the subject free on www.jordanseyes.com

 

Visual processing problems are endemic in ASD - the advice given in previous posts worries me - the subject is extremely complex and needs professional advice. And some of the advice has been inaccurate / poor.

 

Irlen is first generation assessment - essentially trial and error - a poke and hope method

The intuitive colorimeter is second - subtractive colour - covers around 33% of colour space

Orthoscopicss - 3rd generation - additive colour - covers around 75% of colour space and is almost the ideal technique.

 

is there a difference - massive!

 

 

[Sooze2]

Thankyou for all the info Ian, I will read your site with interest later.

 

I am going to be talking to one of my Twins' teachers today because I can see she is struggling but her sister is not. What an interesting study that would be, identical twins poles apart educationally. The one who is struggling is left handed which could be the link - who knows. DS didn't decide which hand he was going to write with until he was 5 and it has beed said by his dear old teacher Aunty that he appears to be left handed but writes with his right hand! Strange.

Edited October 13, 2009 by Sooze2

[Diddly64]

Hi Everyone

 

New here today - I have an 11 yo son who has ADHD and ASD - he is also dyslexic.

 

Regarding the colour overlays etc - some opticians do "colorimetry" which is a special test for dyslexia and tests using all different colours and shades of colours - not NHS funded so you have to pay but I had my son tested and it worked really well - he now has a set of blue glasses which really help him with his writing.

 

Might be another option to consider.

 

 

[lynne]

 

 

Coloured lenses and dyslexia/ASD is not a well understood and researched area by the majority of opticions. Ask any opticion and they do not know there are different assessments you can have for coloured lenses.

 

 

 

Irlen is first generation assessment - essentially trial and error - a poke and hope method

The intuitive colorimeter is second - subtractive colour - covers around 33% of colour space

Orthoscopicss - 3rd generation - additive colour - covers around 75% of colour space and is almost the ideal technique.

 

is there a difference - massive!

 

 

For a treatment to be highly effective and evaluated it needs to be available all over England. It will only be at this time that we get valuable and accurate results.

 

 

My son has worn colour glasses for the last 6 years. We need a local opticion to provide this service. Also the correct fitting of glasses is essential for children with ASD. After several months these glasses need to be refitted. My child is very heavy on glasses and we have been known to go through 4 pairs of glasses a year. Hence it is essential to have a opticion who can provide the service close to where you live.

 

 

Sometimes I get very tired of going to appointments. In a typical year we need to attend CAMHS at least once a year. Than we need to see other people several times a year. These include the occupational therapist, speech therapist and podiatrist. Than there are the review meetings, parents evenings. Than you have your normal dentist appointment and opticions.

 

[trekster]

Hi Lynne

 

i cant get those appointments because im autistic and its not treated in this area.

 

Alexis