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Reading Disabilities and the Effects of Colored Filters

Peter D. O'Connor is an associate professor and head of the Department of Special Education, Counselling, and Health Studies at the University of Canberra, Australia.

Frank Sofo

Frank Sofo is a lecturer in adult learning at the University of Canberra, Australia.

Laurie Kendall

Laurie Kendall is a senior lecturer in research design and educational research at the University of Canberra, Australia.

Gerry Olsen

Gerry Olsen is a lecturer in special education, counseling, and health studies at the University of Canberra, Australia. Address: Peter D. O'Connor, PO Box 3018, Manuka, ACT 2603 Australia.

The efficacy of a controversial treatment, using colored filters to remediate reading disabilities, was measured empirically, with colored overlays placed over reading material on white paper. Irlen's (1983) method is to prescribe specific tinted filters as lenses that she claims filter specific light frequencies and remove a range of perceptual disorders that adversely affect reading and related learning performance. Irlen calls this condition "scotopic sensitivity" and claims it is a significant factor in a high percentage of people with learning disabilities. Ninety-two children with significant reading disabilities were classified as either scotopic or nonscotopic using the Irlen Differential Perceptual Schedule, and were randomly assigned to one of six treatment groups using colored or clear overlays. Reading performance (rate, accuracy, and comprehension) as measured by the Neale Analysis of Reading Ability (Neale, 1987) and the Formal Reading Inventory (Wiederholt, 1986) improved significantly when the scotopic children read with the preferred colored overlay filter compared to clear or different-colored overlay filters. Nonscotopic children showed no change.

Journal of Learning Disabilities, Vol. 23, No. 10, 597-603 (1990)
DOI: 10.1177/002221949002301006


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