Visual processing problems are related to issues with how the brain processes visual information. There are several different types of challenges associated with visual processing disorders, including visual discrimination issues, visual figure-ground discrimination issues, visual sequencing issues, visual-motor processing issues, long- or short-term visual memory issues, visual-spatial issues, visual closure issues, letter and symbol reversal, and visual stress (also known as Irlen Syndrome or Meares-Irlen Syndrome).
There are a number of modifications educators can make in the classroom environment to assist students who suffer from visual processing issues related to Irlen Syndrome. Children experiencing symptoms of Irlen Syndrome will find their visual processing issues are exacerbated by bright and fluorescent lighting and high contrast (e.g., black print on white paper), so modifying lighting and reducing contrast on the page, screen, and whiteboard are simple ways to improve the classroom environment for children with this condition.
Lighting:
- Turn off fluorescent lights: seat children with Irlen Syndrome near windows and turn off the bank of fluorescent lights closest to the windows
- Place colored gels over your fluorescent lights
- Allow the child to wear a dark brimmed hat to protect him/her from fluorescent lighting overhead
Computers and Tablets:
- Use digital overlays or Irlen colored overlay clings to individualize the color of the screen for the student
- Digital colored screen filters are now available in the accessibility settings of all iPads and MAC computers, and available apps and downloads also allow PC users and Chromebook users to customize their screen color (CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT WHERE TO FIND THE COLOR SCREEN FILTER IN YOUR DEVICE SETTINGS).
Whiteboards/Chalkboards:
- Use a brown or gray board instead of white
- Avoid colored markers and chalk (red and yellow are hard to see)
- Write in columns instead of across the entire length of the board
Overhead Projector/Interactive Whiteboards:
- Use colored overlays to change screen color
- Change the background color of the screen to gray or brown instead of white when using an interactive whiteboard the entire length of the board
Reading Modifications:
- Irlen Spectral Filters
- Colored overlays
- Magnifying bar
- Visor/brimmed hat
- Bookstand
- Markers (above, below, to the side of the line)
- Avoid fluorescent lighting
- Use dim or natural lighting
Paper:
- Use recycled, off-white,
- non-glare paper
- Avoid white, high-gloss paper
- Print assignments on colored
paper (different colors for
different children)
Testing Modifications:
- Tests duplicated on colored paper
- Colored plastic overlays
- Scantron answer sheets
- Use a ruler
- Use dim or natural lighting
Contrast:
- Avoid bright or fluorescent colors for both papers you use and also clothing you wear
- Avoid wearing stripes, plaids, and polka dots
- Avoid wearing glittery or sparkling jewelry and buttons
- Allow the child to wear a dark brimmed hat to protect him/her from fluorescent lighting overhead