COLOR OVERLAYS

A L E X I S M O N T E M A Y O R

WHAT ARE COLOR OVERLAYS?

• A transparent film overlay typically made of acetate, which are superimposed over each other to represent each color in a reproduction. (The action or process of making a copy of something.)

• It is a color-based technology that filters out offensive light waves, so the brain can accurately process visual information.

• Helps eliminate light wave lengths before they reach the retina and the brain and then visual information may be more effectively analyzed.

HELPS/ ADDRESSES

• Learning disabilities, ADD/HD, Autism & Aspergerssyndrome, EBD, headaches, migraines, light sensitivity/photophobia, traumatic brain injury, whip lash, concussions other visual conditions.

• Improve print clarity and stability • Reduce strain and fatigue • Eliminate headaches • Improve comprehension • Tracking and keeping your place while reading • Make reading faster • Allow you to read longer and with comfort

• Improve attention and concentration while reducing light sensitivity

IMPLEMENTATION

• Test to identify overlay use

• Reward system- Specific towards reading that way children with overlay are singled out and are encouraged to use overlay.

• Increase length of time on assignments.

• Give them special area designated for them to sit and read using overlay.

• Tests- Give student extra time

Results WILL vary:

A study suggests the color may need to be individually and precisely prescribed, another study demonstrated significantly improved eye movements among reading disabled children when reading through blue filters.

Other researchers failed to find improvement in comprehension scores in reading using color overlays/ tinted lenses.

“Irlen Overlays are the only colored overlays available backed by more than a decade of scientific research and used by more than 4,000 school districts worldwide.”

There is no strong research evidence that intervention using colored overlays or special lenses has any effect on the word reading or comprehension of children with dyslexia.

EFFECTIVENESS

TAKE-AWAY:

:Color Overlays are very new still, they are not cures for dyslexia but may be useful reading aids for some individuals. Much of the information will either describe it as ineffective due to a placebo effect or that they work great with no credible published evidence.