Is Irlen Syndrome Recognised by the NHS?

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While the NHS does not officially recognise Irlen Syndrome as a specific condition, they do provide some support to those affected by it. The National Centre for Neuro-Developmental Disorders states that they work with the NHS to identify those who may be affected by the condition, and to help them access support.

Irlen syndrome is a type of learning difficulty that can cause difficulties in reading, writing, spelling, and math.

Not everyone who struggles with reading, writing and spelling has Irlen syndrome. But if you think you may have the condition and want to find out for sure, you can book an assessment with a qualified optometrist. They will look at your symptoms and provide an official diagnosis.

It is often difficult for those who have Irlen syndrome to understand the written and spoken language.

For the most part, no. While some people who have difficulty reading may be aware of a link between being dyslexic and having weak spelling, there is no specific test for it. If you think that you struggle to understand written language, it is a good idea to talk to your doctor to rule out any other possible causes.

Some may also experience difficulty hearing or in following directions.

No, not yet. The NHS says that there is no evidence that people with dyslexia have a different type of brain wiring, or that it is a form of dyslexia. It is also not known whether those with dyslexia are more likely to have Irlen syndrome. Researchers will continue to explore the connection between the two conditions, and if they are able to find a connection, it may help to explain why those with dyslexia often struggle with reading.

In some cases, individuals with Irlen syndrome may have difficulty with colors.

This is still unknown. While the condition is more common in people with a family history of it, it is possible that many people go undetected. If you suspect that you or someone you know may have difficulty with color perception, it is important to talk to your doctor.

A doctor may be able to help determine if you have Irlen syndrome through a variety of testing, but the only way to confirm a diagnosis is through a thorough neurological evaluation by a qualified professional.

There has been some research into whether or not there may be a relationship between dyslexia and the difficulty some people have with reading. This research has not yet been able to confirm a connection, however, making it unclear whether or not dyslexia and the difficulties with reading and spelling can be linked to the condition.

If you believe you have Irlen syndrome, you could benefit from some of the strategies that have been shown to help, like stress management techniques and other accommodations that could help you to learn better.

Currently, the NHS recognises it as a genuine condition. However, it isn’t always treated as a learning difficulty. It’s a little-known condition, and not all doctors are trained to recognise it as such. They usually refer to it as dyslexia. If you think you have it or suspect it, it’s a good idea to speak to your GP about it and ask if they can refer you to a dyslexia expert.

Visit https://www.icf-i.org/icf-irlen-syndrome for more info.

The NHS recognises that the symptoms of dyslexia can sometimes be similar to those of Irlen syndrome, so they include a section on dyslexia in their website about learning disabilities and offer a reading program to help people with dyslexia. However, they still don’t recognise it as an official condition.

Conclusion

Despite a lot of research into the condition, no one knows how many people have it. Its estimated that one in 20 children with learning disabilities may have the condition, but the NHS currently does not test for it.