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Since establishing the company in 1993, Crossbow Education has won numerous awards for both its customer service and its products, including awards from the Education Resources Awards, Business and Industry Today and Global Educational Supplies and Services. According to Evans et al. (1999) colored filters determines benefit in about 80% of individuals using them. The adoption of colored overlays/filters in schools is incremented given that the visual stress syndrome – which symptoms they are supposed to alleviate – is often observed in dyslexic students ( Irlen, 1991; Singleton and Trotter, 2005; Singleton and Henderson, 2007), and it is in schools that students are usually diagnosed as dyslexics. The estimation of visual stress is, in fact, often included in tests aimed at assessing reading skills and dyslexia ( Nichols et al., 2009), and the colored overlays are often used as a remedy for the visual stress symptoms co-occurring with dyslexia. However, several studies have shown that dyslexia and visual stress are independent conditions. Originally, in fact, visual stress was considered as a subset of dyslexia, whereas more recently it has been argued that the visual stress syndrome is independent from dyslexia ( Kriss and Evans, 2005; Kruk et al., 2008). Indeed Kriss and Evans (2005) noted that the prevalence of visual stress in dyslexic individuals is of only 10% higher than in the non-dyslexic individuals: from this the authors conclude that dyslexia and visual stress are two independent conditions which sometimes coexist within the same individual.
Whether colored overlays help reading or not seems at least controversial: although initial evidence was indeed provided, more recent studies both highlight the methodological issue of previous studies and show that colored overlays do not help reading ( Ritchie et al., 2011, Ritchie et al., 2012; Henderson et al., 2013), On the ground of contradictory findings as these, the [ American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), 2009] has claimed that there is not empirical evidence toward the efficacy of colored overlays in reading, reading acquisition, or dyslexia, and did not recommend their use. Perhaps the most harmful myth about dyslexia is that it can be cured. While some treatments can help people with dyslexia manage their symptoms, there is no cure for this condition. It's important for people with dyslexia to understand that they are not broken and do not need to be fixed. Wilkins A. J., Lewis E., Smith F., Rowland E., Tweedie W. (2001). Coloured overlays and their benefit for reading. J. Res. Read. 24 Palomo-Álvarez C., Puell M. C. (2013). Effects of wearing yellow spectacles on visual skills, reading speed, and visual symptoms in children with reading difficulties. Graefes Arch. Clin. Exp. Ophthalmol. 251
2. Background
Can using colored paper also help those without dyslexia? While the research has primarily focused on those with dyslexia, some studies have suggested that using colored paper can also improve reading performance for those without dyslexia. Choosing the Best Paper Color for Dyslexia Despite the research suggesting colored overlays is not an effective treatment for dyslexia, colored overlays continue to be used as an intervention to improve reading skills of individuals with dyslexia. The authors of this study sought to add to the literature regarding the effect of colored overlays on reading fluency for individuals with dyslexia, as well as extend the literature by investigating the effectiveness across age levels, ranging from 7 to 32 years old. When colored overlays were ineffective, the authors then investigated the effects of research-based reading interventions on oral reading fluency for the same individuals. The results of this study indicate that colored overlays either had no effect on words read correctly per minute (as was the case for Emily and Lindsay) or resulted in a decrease in words read correctly per minute (as was the case for Lisa). These results support the previous research demonstrating colored overlays have little effect on reading fluency (e.g., Ritchie et al. 2011). Further, whereas previous research has suggested that colored overlays have greater effect on children with dyslexia than adults (Singleton and Trotter 2005; Singleton and Henderson 2007), this study suggests that colored overlays may have a deleterious effect on adults. Although colored overlays did not improve reading fluency for the children in this study, the adult’s performance actually worsened with the colored overlay intervention. Irlen H. Reading by the Colors: Overcoming Dyslexia and Other Reading Disabilities Through the Irlen Method. New York, NY: Avery Publishing Group; 1991. [ Google Scholar]
Some individuals may request materials on coloured paper. Most will have a preferred paper colour, which may not be yellow. Users with dyslexia, other specific learning difficulties or visual impairments are most likely to find materials printed onto coloured paper helpful. It is an erroneous belief that yellow paper benefits all individuals with dyslexia. Based on research, the best paper colors for dyslexia are those that have a warm tint, which can reduce visual stress and improve reading speed. Cream-colored paper is a popular choice because it has a warm tint and is easy on the eyes. Light green and light blue paper can also be effective for reducing visual stress and improving reading speed.During the Listening-Passage-Preview (LPP) phase of the study, Emily’s level of correct and incorrect responding remained somewhat similar to that of the No Overlay and Overlay conditions (an average of 49 CWPM and 1 EPM) across sessions, although it does appear as though the decreasing trend in CWPM ceased, and errors were lower than during either No Overlay or Overlay conditions. Approximately 1month had passed between the end of the LPP condition and the next phase of the study. During this time, Emily attended a reading camp and circumstances required a change in the environment where sessions were held. As a result of the passage of time and the possibility of history and/or multiple treatment effects, there was a return to the No Overlay condition prior to moving to the Modeling phase. During the return to No Overlay, Emily read an average of 43 CWPM (with a slight decreasing trend) and 3 EPM across sessions. Following this return to No Overlay, the Modeling intervention was implemented. During this condition, Emily reads an average of 64 CWPM. There was a steep increasing trend in CWPM and errors were at a relatively low rate (an average of 1.3 EPM). As a library, NLM provides access to scientific literature. Inclusion in an NLM database does not imply endorsement of, or agreement with, Research on paper color and dyslexia has been ongoing for several decades. One of the earliest studies was conducted in 1978 by Dr. Arnold Wilkins, who found that yellow paper reduced visual stress for those with dyslexia. Since then, numerous studies have been conducted on the topic, with many supporting the use of off-white or light yellow paper. Types of paper colors for dyslexia
Besides colored overlays, there are also colored reading rulers and reading strips available in the market. These tools can be used to highlight the text, making it easier for the reader to follow the lines and not lose their place.
In conclusion, coloured paper can be a valuable tool for those with dyslexia, but it's important to consider the individual's personal preferences and needs when implementing this method. With the right approach, coloured paper can help to improve visual processing, reduce eye strain, and make reading a more enjoyable experience for those with dyslexia. Research and Education Henderson LM, Tsogka N, Snowling MJ. Questioning the benefits that coloured overlays can have for reading in students with and without dyslexia. Journal of Research in Special Educational Needs. 2013; 13(1):57–65. doi: 10.1111/j.1471-3802.2012.01237.x. [ CrossRef] [ Google Scholar] On a more positive note, dyslexia is often accompanied by strengths in other areas. Many people with dyslexia have exceptional creative and problem-solving abilities. This is because their brains are wired differently, which allows them to approach problems in unique and innovative ways. Woerz M., Maples W. C. (1997). Test-retest reliability of colored filter testing. J. Learn. Disabil. 30
Chouinard B. D., Zhou C. I., Hrybouski S., Kim E. S., Cummine J. (2012). A functional neuroimaging case study of Meares-Irlen syndrome/visual stress (MISViS). Brain Topogr. 25 In conclusion, choosing the right paper color for dyslexia is crucial for individuals who experience reading difficulties. It can greatly improve their reading speed, accuracy, and overall comfort while reading. Don't be afraid to experiment with different approaches and find what works best for you. Knapp NF, Winsor AP. A reading apprenticeship for delayed primary readers. Reading Research and Instruction. 1998; 38:13–29. doi: 10.1080/19388079809558275. [ CrossRef] [ Google Scholar] There are many alternative solutions for improving reading difficulties that can be more effective than yellow paper. Some examples include: Why does coloured paper help dyslexia? This study suggests that colored overlays may have a negative effect on adults, in contrast to previous research which suggested that colored overlays had a positive effect on children. Two of the participants preferred to read with the colored overlays, even though it did not increase CWPM in any of the individuals. If a participant with reading difficulties prefers to read with a colored overlay, it could increase motivation to read which could prove beneficial. Future research may investigate whether colored overlays improve reading abilities over time through this mechanism, rather than through a direct effect on visual stress. The adult's performance worsened with the colored overlays intervention, even though it did not improve reading fluency for the children in the study.
At Crossbow Education we like to do our best for the environment and are proud to have been awarded 3 stars from the green achiever scheme. Kriss I., Evans B. J. W. (2005). The relationship between dyslexia and Meares–Irlen Syndrome. J. Res. Read. 28 Singleton C., Henderson L. M. (2007). Computerized screening for visual stress in children with dyslexia. Dyslexia 13 BDA accreditation is a sign that a level 5 or 7 course on Dyslexia/SpLDs has met the highest standards.
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