Scotopic Sensitivity Syndrome (SSS)   Term Paper ID:27395 Click to get this paper

Essay Subject: Discusses the educational & developmental flaw SSS, in which light sensitivity, inadequate accommodation to backgrounding, poor print resolution, & restricted or short attention span hinder an individual's abilities.... More...

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Paper Abstract: Discusses the educational & developmental flaw SSS, in which light sensitivity, inadequate accommodation to backgrounding, poor print resolution, & restricted or short attention span hinder an individual's abilities. Paper Introduction: Problem Formulation and Definition Introduction In the earlier part of this century, children, or adults, with learning difficulties were identified as either lacking in character or intelligence. There was little understanding of the different ways in which people learn, or the different problems that can prevent them from learning efficiently. However, during the last few decades, there has been an increasing focus on differences in children's perceptual abilities and on processing problems that interfere with the traditional learning process. Tools and techniques have been developed to assist teachers in identifying children with learning disabilities so that they can provide enriched or supported learni Text of the Paper: The entire text of the paper is shown below. However, the text is somewhat scrambled. We want to give you as much information as we possibly can about our papers and essays, but we cannot give them away for free. In the text below you will find that while disordered, many of the phrases are essentially intact. From this text you will be able to get a solid sense of the writing style, the concepts addressed, and the sources used in the research paper. Harold Solan (199 ) reported similar results in a rigorous appraisalof the Irlen technique based on review of the literature and appraisal ofcurrent documents. What are the factors identified by Irlen as characteristic ofScotopic Sensitivity Syndrome? Second, eventhose institutions and individuals that acknowledge the negative role oflearning disabilities are not always able to identify them appropriately.Institutions may not provide appropriate testing when parents request it.Parents and teachers may not observe the symptoms that indicate thepotential existence of learning disabilities. Journal of Learning Disabilities, 23(1 ), 6 4-612.Irlen, H. For parents, a tool that helped them identify possible SSS couldprovide them with the support they needed to ask for help from the schoolsystem and from teachers. (1989). Education, 1 9(4), 413-417.Irlen, H. Garden City Park, NY: Avery Publishing Group, Inc.Scheiman, M.M. And Rouse, M.W. (1994). Journal of Learning Disabilities, 23(1 ), 621-626. Standardized tests may notpick up all problems. (199 ). Presentation to the 91st Annual Convention of the American Psychological Association in Anaheim, California.Irlen, H. In their study, which comprised 4 subjects, most of the subjects who thought that they might need Irlenfilters benefited from vision therapy. 4. As a consequence, the childrenstruggle in school, underachieve, become frustrated, lose self-esteem, andtend to drop out of school. How could each of these factors be tested for in optimumfashion? The major limitation to thisstudy is that it is not an experimental design. Irlen filters - These are colored lenses which SSS sufferers wear,which have been matched exactly to the prescribed color which has beenidentified during the SSS screening process.Assumptions and Limitations The one obvious and basic assumption underlying this study is thatthere is an actual disorder, labelled Scotopic Sensitivity Syndrome, thatcan be distinguished from vision problems and can be identified throughlooking at the factors described by Irlen. Problem Formulation and DefinitionIntroduction In the earlier part of this century, children, or adults, withlearning difficulties were identified as either lacking in character orintelligence. Yet he, like Scheiman andRouse (1994) reported that there are clearly association between thefactors that Irlen identified and poor reading, as well as visual problems,if not perceptual problems. (199 ) also provided an overall critical discussion ofthe effectiveness of Irlen filters, yet they, too, indicated that somesubjects benefited from their use. Shedid not actually claim that SSS is a specific learning disorder, but thatit exists within the category of learning disorders as a variable conditionthat contributes to the problems that exist. How could each of these factors be tested for in a classroomsituation? 2. Irlen noted that SSS canitself be associated with dyslexia and attention deficit disorder, amongother things, but that it can be distinguished as a specific syndrome. In this paper, a follow-up study in 1989, and abook published in 1991, Irlen developed the concept of Scotopic SensitivitySyndrome and discussed the use of Irlen colored lenses to correct theproblem and improve reading ability. Optometric management of learning- related vision problems. Her research and experimentation led her to treat SSS by the use ofcolored filters. Irlen eventually became involved in a research project working withadult learning disabilities. Reading by the colors. So, questions could include: 1. Instead,it assumes the existence of SSS, the usefulness of Irlen filters, and theunder-identification of students with SSS. Tools andtechniques have been developed to assist teachers in identifying childrenwith learning disabilities so that they can provide enriched or supportedlearning experiences to help those children learn more easily. They noted that treatment of thosevision problems should take precedence over Irlen's treatment process.However, they also indicated that, even though they did not believe therewas sufficient evidence to support the use of Irlen filters, a significantproportion of those who used Irlen filters reported increased visualcomfort and improved reading ability. 3. There was little understanding of the different ways inwhich people learn, or the different problems that can prevent them fromlearning efficiently. Even if school systems arenot supportive of a diagnosis of SSS, having a tool available for parentand teacher use can provide the individuals who work most closely with thechild access to information about that child's problems. Louis, MO: Mosby.Solan, H.A. Thisleads to reading problems. These Irlen filters, which were developed over the periodof ten years for use with those suffering from SSS, were chosen accordingto the specific constellation of characteristics that the individual wasaffected by. First, not all school systems, teachers, or parents accept theexistence of learning disabilities as a concrete, remediable problem thatcan be effectively addressed to help students perform better. An appraisal of the Irlen technique of correcting reading disorders using tinted overlays and tinted lenses. They may also utilize coloredtransparencies or other less-expensive alternatives in order to providemakeshift supportive treatment for the child within the classroom setting. Even without that support, they may be able toidentify, or afford, vision testing for students which could turn up thedisorders that Scheiman and Rouse (1994) indicated as potential problems.Again, they can also provide treatment for the child either through fulltesting and remediation through an Irlen treatment center, or through somemakeshift arrangement involving the use of colored filters, lenses, ortransparencies.Questions The questions of immediate concern in this study focus on design of aninstrument, or method, which would enable teachers and parents to identifystudents who are possibly affected by SSS. For example, Scheiman and Rouse (1994) contended thatScotopic Sensitivity Syndrome really represented undiagnosed visionproblems, including such things as ocular motility disorder, binocularvision, or accommodative problems. As a consequence, there is a need for providingteachers and parents with information that can help them identify thosestudents in their midst who might be impacted by SSS and who, therefore,might benefit from vision testing, vision treatment, or SSS treatmentmethods.Purpose of the Study and Rationale The purpose of this study is to develop a tool, or technique, thatwill provide teachers and parents with a preliminary method of identifyingchildren who are potentially affected by SSS. Improving reading problems due to symptoms of Scotopic Sensitivity Syndrome using Irlen lenses and overlays. Their testing indicated that theprimary benefit of Irlen filters was reduction in visual complaints, whichthey felt could be more effectively addressed through vision therapy.Nonetheless, a small subgroup of their sample actually obtained maximumvisual comfort for reading through a combination of vision therapy andIrlen filters.Statement of the Problem The problem is that the vast majority of those suffering from ScotopicSensitivity Syndrome remain unidentified. St. It is a term specifically coined byIrlen to describe a set of symptoms or processes that she identified. It is not designed to testfor the existence of SSS, nor for the utility of Irlen filters. Irlen (1991) noted that teachers and parents might notice veryspecific problems with children who have SSS. Thus, theymay be in school, but they lag behind their peers, suffer frustration withtheir situation, and ultimately may give up because they are not receivingthe help that they need to succeed. However, during the last few decades, there has been an increasingfocus on differences in children's perceptual abilities and on processingproblems that interfere with the traditional learning process. According to her, many learning problems are not identified bystandardized tests, even if the school system listens to parents andteachers and tests the student under discussion. Itcan be defined as a perceptual, but not visual, dysfunction in whichreaders have difficulty processing full-spectrum light efficiently. In addition, somestandardized tests tend to provide results that contradict what teachersand parents contend is the real problem for the student. The first research discussion of Scotopic Sensitivity Syndromeoccurred in Irlen's 1983 paper as a presentation to the AmericanPsychological Association. The effectiveness of Irlen filters for improving reading performance: A pilot study. Another limitation of the study is that it does not provide for actualclassroom or home use of the tool or technique to test its usefulness.Instead, this is a non-empirical study with the sole purpose of creating anew intervention approach. Irlen(1991) noted that many children suffer from learning disabilities that arenot identified by the school system, or that are misidentified. Blaskey et al. There are several other problems associatedwith that first problem. One of the newly-identified learning aspects of learning disabilitythat is still oftentimes overlooked is Scotopic Sensitivity Syndrome.Scotopic Sensitivity Syndrome is particularly focused on the problems ofthose with reading delays and problems in reading comprehension.Background of the Problem Scotopic Sensitivity Syndrome was identified by Helen Irlen during herwork with both children and adult learners with reading problems. (1991). While working with this project, sheidentified a cluster of problems that seemed to impact many of the studentsin the program and, gradually, developed the concept of ScotopicSensitivity Syndrome. (1983). If the potentialfor SSS is identified, teachers may recommend to parents that they obtaincomplete vision testing for the child. BibliographyBlaskey, P., Scheiman, M., Parisi, M., Ciner, E.B., Gallaway, M. How could each of these factors be tested for in the homeenvironment?Operational Definitions Scotopic Sensitivity Syndrome - In her book on the subject, Irlen isquite clear that Scotopic Sensitivity Syndrome (SSS) must be distinguishedfrom scotopic vision or night vision. As a consequence,teachers and parents who recognize that there is a problem that might fallunder the rubric of Scotopic Sensitivity Syndrome might not find supportwithin the school system. And Selznick, R. (199 ). Finally, Irlen(1991) indicated, even when students were tested, their problemsidentified, and support provided, frequently that support or remediationwas not actually effective and the student continued to struggle withschoolwork and self-esteem. However, the diagnosis itself remains controversial, as does thetreatment method. Successful treatment of learning disabilities. He was not able to find empirical research support forher use of colored lenses, nor sufficient empirical research support forthe diagnosis of Scotopic Sensitivity Syndrome. Again, Irlen's diagnostic process seemed toidentify both of these groups, and the treatment process seemed to improvethe visual comfort, if nothing else, of a significant percentage of thepoor readers. Third, since the evidence regarding ScotopicSensitivity Syndrome remains controversial, and conflicted, there is evenless likelihood that institutions will test for that dysfunction andprovide effective treatment if it is identified. According to Irlen (1991), there are five separate components to SSS,and the individual can experience any or all five of the problems.Essentially, these characteristics are light sensitivity, inadequateaccommodation to backgrounding, poor print resolution, restricted span ofattention, and lack of sustained attention. For example, she indicatedthat these children might avoid reading entirely, read considerably slowerthan others, choose to read in odd positions or dim lighting, and havetrouble tracking words along the line or down the page. If this paper is not what you are looking for, you can search again: Search for: or Click here to request an essay written just for you.