Many people (particularly children) who are experiencing Irlen Syndrome symptoms can be misdiagnosed as having ADHD due to the similarity in observed behaviour between these two conditions. Leave the rest of this first paragraph as is, but add the following information at the end of the paragraph (along with the reference). AMEN Clinic California, reports Irlen Syndrome affects 12-14% of the general population. It also afflicts 33% of people with ADHD or autism, nearly 50% of individuals with reading or learning challenges and 55% with head injury, concussion or whiplash.
Research published in 2023 involved fifty-nine adults (age 18-50), diagnosed with both ADHD and visual stress received either intervention (Spectral Filters) or no intervention. Results were measured at 3 months (short-term) and 6 months (long-term) after intervention. After 3 months, 49% of participants and after 6 months, 64% of participants no longer met the criteria for an ADHD diagnosis as determined by the DSM-5 manual used by psychiatrists.
There is a large overlap between the symptoms of ADD/ADHD and Irlen Syndrome. Many people who are suffering from Irlen Syndrome can be mislabelled as ADD/ADHD due to the similarity in observed behaviour between these two conditions. These observations include looking away from the page and daydreaming (“inattentiveness”), an inability to concentrate for long periods of time on reading and/or writing tasks, rushing through while reading or writing and, in the case of children, “giving up” on trying to do their schoolwork or homework.
These are all strategies to help them cope with the visual stress that they experience when working on white paper under bright lights. Wearing Irlen Spectral Filters helps them to focus more on the tasks required, as it reduces the amount of effort required to do their work. In addition, they are able to concentrate for longer, and maintain their attention to the task. Once these things start to happen, they become more motivated and this often results in increased self confidence.
