mearers irlen/dyslexia using coloured paper in school

iammumtoone

My son has been diagnosed with mearers irlen. Does anyone else or their child have this?

His reading is ok at this stage (he is 7) I have been told this is because at his age the books he reads are mainly on coloured backgrounds meaning he can see it, when he gets older it will get harder for him as the books get more like adult books on white paper with large blocks of text.

He has been given a coloured overlay to help with the reading which is good but like I said at the moment his reading is not an issue.

His problem is he cannot write, this is due to the fact he cannot see to form the letters on white paper. I have been told he needs to re-learn to write and start from basics tracing letters etc using coloured paper. This is where the problem is, at home I have printed out some exercises from the internet on coloured paper. However the school are saying they only have white paper exercise books which they use all the time so I can't see how he is going to re-learn when the school are not providing the paper he needs. (to be fair they do print his worksheets on colored paper but he could use the overlay with these it is the writing the answers in his exercise book he struggles with)

Does anyone else have any experience of this and what do the school do to help? Any suggestions on what I can do to help him?

Thanks

Owl

I have this! But my problem lies with blue paper! (And even worse, blue paper with blue ink!)
Children I have known have worked on coloured paper and stuck it in their books.
HTH

Cuilean

With my teacher head on, the first thing I'd want to know if whether this condition has been recorded with the school's SENCO or INCO.


I'd want to know if the child had an IEP, or whatever system the school uses to discuss the child's individual needs to help them learn. If so, check to see if the equipment you want is referred to. If not, ask when the review date is so that you can gently remind the school to include resources on it when it's written.


Ofsted are big on "Pupil Voice" at the moment, which is where the school encourages the child to know and speak about their education, so make sure your child knows to ask for things which would help, like the coloured paper.


At my school, we have loads of coloured lined paper which we use for some of the more dyslexic children, although I've never seen a coloured paper exercise book. Perhaps if you can prove to the school that such a thing exists, and where to buy it, you'll have removed any obstacles from their way, and they'll get some for your child.


Hope that helps a bit

iammumtoone

Cuilean wrote: »

With my teacher head on, the first thing I'd want to know if whether this condition has been recorded with the school's SENCO or INCO.


I'd want to know if the child had an IEP, or whatever system the school uses to discuss the child's individual needs to help them learn. If so, check to see if the equipment you want is referred to. If not, ask when the review date is so that you can gently remind the school to include resources on it when it's written.


Ofsted are big on "Pupil Voice" at the moment, which is where the school encourages the child to know and speak about their education, so make sure your child knows to ask for things which would help, like the coloured paper.


At my school, we have loads of coloured lined paper which we use for some of the more dyslexic children, although I've never seen a coloured paper exercise book. Perhaps if you can prove to the school that such a thing exists, and where to buy it, you'll have removed any obstacles from their way, and they'll get some for your child.


Hope that helps a bit

Yes the school knows as they arranged the test. No one has mentioned an IEP.

Unfortunately my son doesn't have a "pupil voice" he lacks confidence at school and would never say anything even if he is struggling he will keep quiet he just then takes out all his frustration at home!

Coloured lined paper would work, I don't see why he has to use an exercise book they could just stick the bits of paper in a folder? I might suggest this thanks.

iammumtoone

Also does any know of an active support forum for this. I found one on google joined and it said I couldn't post a thread

JemmaM91

Would this help?

http://www.thedyslexiashop.co.uk/irlen-coloured-paper-exercise-books.html

mmmsnow

Hi, I have Meares-Irlen and use precision tinted glasses (Cerium tints). This may be the best course of action for your son as it creates the effect of the overlay without needing to hold it/have it above the paper.

You can get him assessed at an optician or University Eye clinic who have a visual stress clinic. It usually costs £50 or so for the assessment and the glasses themselves are usually £70+.

If he is referred to an orthoptist at hospital (they usually give out the coloured overlays) they may then be able to refer him on to somewhere that will be able to do the visual stress test and find the coloured tint that's perfect for him.

pollypenny

I taught a number of children who wore tinted glasses to get round this problem of white paper.

iammumtoone

JemmaM91 wrote: »

Would this help?

http://www.thedyslexiashop.co.uk/irlen-coloured-paper-exercise-books.html

wow thank you loads of books to choice from on there.

Do I ask the school to get them, or do I have to pay for them myself? If I have to buy them myself I will. How do these things work with schools are they obliged to supply the equipment my son needs or is it down to the parents?

JemmaM91

I'd personally ask the school to, but be prepared to have to buy them myself.

iammumtoone

The advise I was given by the expert who tested him was not to get coloured glasses at this stage but to use the coloured overlay and paper.

Not sure but I think this is due to his age apparently he is very young to be given a diagnosis of this. I think the plan is not to get him to rely on the glasses just yet. I am not sure when the time would be to look into glasses, I was very surprised that there is no follow up appointment :eek: Thats its, it seems he has it and no further help to deal with it! I do wish I had asked more questions but I was a bit shocked at the time thinking about how this will now effect him for life and wasn't really thinking straight.