In a conversation with a client recently they were unsure of how the brain functions in respect to learning processes. Therefore, below I am listing the four areas of the brain and how it functions. For brain health keep in mind water is especially important in brain health along with Omega 3 Fatty Acids.

Frontal Lobe: This area of the brain is associated with higher mental functions (such as strategic attention, reasoning, and innovative thinking (or frequency of ideas, and social functioning.)

Parietal Lobe: This are is associated with sensory input from the skin and muscles, body awareness.

Temporal Lobe: This area is associated with short-term memory, equilibrium, and input from hearing.

Occipital Lobe: This area is associated with sight and image processing.

Provided by Kim Ashby

Answer the following questions:     YES     NO

Do you skip words or lines when reading?        
Do you reread lines?        
Do you lose your place?        
Are you easily distracted when reading?        
Do you need to take breaks often?        
Do you find it harder to read the longer you read?        
Do you get headaches when you read?        
Do your eyes get red and watery?        
Does reading make you tired?        
Do you blink or squint?        
Do you prefer to read in dim light?        
Do you read close to the page?        
Do you use your finger or other markers?        
Do you get restless, active, or fidgety when reading?        

If you answered yes to three or more of these questions, then you might be experiencing the effects of a perception problem called Scotopic Sensitivity Syndrome, which can interfere with your reading efficiency. Now, for the first time, there is a simple method Irlen Colored Filters worn as glasses or contact lenses, that can help people overcome this problem quickly and easily.

Copyright © 1991 by Perceptual Development Corp/Helen Irlen.  All rights reserved.
For other self tests including the long test, headache test, light sensitivity test, autism test <a href="http://irlen.com/index.php?s=selftests">click here</a>.

Irlen Syndrom has also been known as Scotopic Sensitivity Syndrome.  It is not a problem with the eyes.  It  is a a problem with the brain's ability to process visual information.  Irlen Syndrome can affect many different areas including academic performance, behavior, the ability to sit still, attention and concentration.  Studies suggest that 46% of individuals identified with reading problems, dyslexia, ADD/ADHD an other learning difficulties suffer from Irlen Syndrome and can be helped by the Irlen Method.  This syndrome is often just one more layer of the individuals problems, but the Irlen Method can be a part of the solution.

Some of the symptoms of Irlen Syndrome include light sensitivity, especially to fluorescent lights, headache, eye strain, reading problems, reading comprehension problems, attention and concentration problems, writing problems, depth perception problems, math disabilities, etc.

The Irlen Method provides a unique service for some children and adults who have been identified with reading and learning difficulties, low motivation, attention deficit disorder, discipline problems as well as helping  good readers and gifted students.

The Irlen Method and the efficacy of colored overlays and colored lenses has been the subject of over 100 research studies.  This method has been used for more than 25 years to identify and help people with this specific visual processing problem.  Additionally, the colored overlays are now considered an approved accommodation for standardized tests in many states.

My name is Lauren and I love to read. Novels, magazines, Twitter posts from celebrities, Facebook messages from friends, I devour it all. But this wasn't always the case. In fact, I used to despise reading, and not in the way many kids try to avoid reading. I hated reading because I just couldn't do it. I am Dyslexic.

In elementary school I struggled mightily to get through even the simplest sentences. Letters would blur, flip, or appear upside-down or reversed. Full lines would appear out of sequence. I used to cry when I had to read because it was so hard for me. It was so frustrating when I couldn't follow the story because my brain and eyes don't see things in the right order.

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October is here bringing with it cooler weather, changing leaves, and your children's progress reports. October is also Dyslexia Awareness Month, and with the school year still young but well under way, it is the perfect time to draw attention to and to clarify some of the underlying myths surrounding a syndrome which affects thousands of students.

Many people, including experts, erroneously diagnose dyslexia as a reading disorder characterized by letter scrambling and word reversal. However, dyslexia is a syndrome of many reading and non-reading symptoms of varying degrees. Some children may not even scramble letters when reading but have trouble with spelling and writing. Others may have difficulty keeping their place while reading or experience blurring, word movement, or fatigue. In other words, dyslexia is a complex combination of symptoms well beyond the typical “has trouble reading” tag-line.

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Dyslexia is a learning difference characterized by problems in expressive or receptive, oral or written language. Problems may appear in reading, spelling, writing, speaking, or listening. A person who has dyslexia has difficulties changing language to thought (as in listening or reading) or thought to language (as in writing or speaking).

Researchers have determined that a gene on the short arm of chromosome #6 is responsible for dyslexia. Because this is a dominant gene, dyslexia is highly likely to be inherited.

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Helping your child develop excellent reading skills is extremely important for their academic success. One on one time and attention with your child will help them become better strategic and effective readers. Parents are a key factor in helping their child move from beginner reader to fluent reader. The parent knows their child best and can help their child locate the best reading materials to meet their needs and interests.

10 Steps To Develop Reading Skills:

1. Schedule regular daily reading time.
Reading out loud regularly to children will produce significant gains in reading. By daily reading your child will build up their comprehension, vocabulary, and word decoding. If the child is a preschooler or preteen, reading regularly will increase their interest in independently reading and will build their skill, speed and knowledge base.

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