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Irlen Syndrome? You mean those tinted glasses you wear aren't actually sunglasses?

Me today! 

Hi folks! Thanks for clicking on this post. It's pretty late at night as I begin writing this, but I do like to occasionally burn the midnight oil, as they say. And on this fine night I wanted to write a little something about Irlen syndrome, how it has affected me and how the lenses used to treat this particular syndrome have changed my life. If you're interested in this seemingly unusual syndrome (it's actually not that uncommon), read on. 

Firstly, it may be just coming to your attention, or perhaps you'd already guessed, but I am autistic. I was diagnosed with high functioning autism aged fifteen, and although Irlen syndrome and autism are far from synonymous, I came across the existence of said syndrome through researching about autism and the sensory issues often attributed to it. 

The day I received my very first pair of Irlen lenses! I was overjoyed!

I began researching what I now recognise are episodes of dissociation, not always but often in combination with sensory overload, which are both experienced by people on the spectrum, though the former is more of a mental health complaint than issue caused by autism. I wanted to find a way to reduce these experiences and stumbled across the official website for Irlen syndrome, which I will link here. (You can find a lot of information there, I would recommend checking it out). 

Now, once I'd discovered the website, I couldn't quite believe the can of metaphorical worms that had opened before me, beginning with the fact that I had never realised that words didn't 'move on the page' for everyone. Bear in mind that I'd not read a book for years and had relied on audiobooks throughout my first year and a half of university. I just couldn't concentrate on a book because, and I'd not realised this wasn't normal, the words visibly shook on the page. Literally shook. It's hard to imagine and understand, I know, but honestly they did. With the correct coloured lenses they remain still and are not as 'confusing' as I describe them as they are without. A page of a book without the coloured lenses proves disorientating and exhausting. But, I hear you ask, what is so important about these coloured lenses? 

Me today (again!) 

Let's begin: the coloured lenses (mine are a pinkish/purple/peach colour) stop the word-wiggle and protect my light-sensitive brain from the sunlight that tends to overwhelm me. They have helped me relax in social situations and make going outside headache-free possible. They help me listen and concentrate, and have, I would say, helped me with previously rampant self-injurious behaviours (though they were not the only factor in the reduction of these). 

Ultimately, they lenses have changed my life. I am currently in the process of getting another pair and I'm so excited to have the correct colour again. I really can only thank Jean Felton, my diagnostician, for helping me get where I am today: about to start an MA and the proud reader of 55 books over the past year and a half. Since getting the lenses, my grades went up significantly and I've been so much more content. Irlen syndrome, untreated, can take a great toll, but thankfully there's a treatment: colour. So, nope, my lenses are not sunglasses! I promise! 

My outfit!

If you relate to any of the issues described in this post and may be wondering if you too have the syndrome, please do not hesitate to check out the Irlen website or do some gentle research. It has helped me so much. Perhaps it can help you too. 

Anyway, folks, that's today's ramble over and done with. See you for an update after Autscape next week. I hope you're all well! Over and out! (Sorry it's so late at night!)

 Instagram @jumper.dweller

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