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Untitled Document
Target practice
To achieve effective reading and enable access to text, eye movements must
be under fine control moving from target to target.
When we read each target is 'decoded', the next target is detected in the peripheral
vision, and the eyes move precisely to it for decoding. The actual decoding,
or 'edge-detection' of the target requires a highly tuned set of ratios between
the pigment values in the cone cells in the central retina.
The smooth passage of the eye 'decode-move-decode-move' is reliant
on the integration of these inputs through the magnocellular and parvocellular
systems.
Where this integration is not sufficiently 'in tune' the system fails and edge
detection is impaired either in speed and quality, or in sustainability. This
condition is known as Asfedia (A (without) Sustained Fast Edge Detection IA
(a condition). Asfedic tuning of the cone cells enables the integration of the
magno- and parvo- cellular systems, and, thereby, sustained fast edge detection
(or reading).
The case studies are wholly typical, within their age groups, of the types of
cases presented on a daily basis, many of whom have developed a healthy cynicism
for most forms of 'assistance'. The main problem was picking two cases from
a database of nearly 3000, the majority of whom have been referred as undergraduates,
many mature students, under the Disabled Students Allowance Scheme.
The results have been identical where there has been the opportunity to test
the program and protocols with visiting clients from other Western European
countries, running the program in their own languages.
The TintaVision Asfedic Tuning Programme has been developed exclusively in-house
by TintaVision, and runs on Windows 95 upwards. It is operated currently solely
by TintaVision personnel at various locations throughout Britain, but a protected
program, designed to run with a dongle, is in beta testing.
This will enable the program to be used under licence, or by franchises. The
standard charge is £250 plus VAT for all elements of, and all filters
required during, a three consultation course of Asfedic Tuning.
These case studies demonstrate the outcomes of the use of the latest version
of the TintaVision Asfedic Tuning Program V2001.2 under the latest protocols.
Case Study: Tom
'Tom', a 10-year-old boy in Y5, referred in February 2001 and identified as
dyslexic with a history of reading failure, and behavioural difficulties associated
with the reading difficulty and ease of distraction. He was in the staging process
with a view to being 'statemented' for extra learning support at the end of
the academic year 2000/2001.
At the first consultation he was unable to look at a page of text for more than
a few seconds without experiencing severe optical discomfort. Opticians had
identified slight longsight in one eye and an astigmatism in the other and prescribed
a series of precision tinted spectacles.
These had created further problems since there appeared to be a lack of optimal
colour stability and the benefit from the glasses did not appear to be long
lasting. Continued observation identified that he also had severe convergence
insufficiency with associated eyeaches.
On that first visit, it was not possible to use the program objectively as Tom
was unable to read any of the text material. Through extensive experience, and
an appropriate modification of the program, we arrived at an approximate setting
for his computer, and also surmised that he was potentially mildly photophobic.
He was given the normal instructions, the computer setting and an approximate
filter.
Eight weeks later at the second consultation, Tom recorded a rate of reading
aloud of 90 words per minute on white paper. This allowed full use of the Asfedic
Tuning Program and we were now able to pinpoint the precise optimal background
setting for the computer. At this setting, within one hour of presentation,
his rate of reading rose to 124 words per minute using the optimal Asfedic Filter
on printed text. We were now able to confirm the photophobia, and recommended
neutral density (30 per cent absorption) sunglasses for use at home and at school.
By the end of June, he was achieving 110 words per minute on white, without
the use of the neutral density sunglasses, and by September, he was able to
consistently achieve 129 words per minute on white, with a few errors, and 130
words per minute on the new optimal Asfedic Filter with no errors.
At this stage he decided to tackle the 'Complex Text' test, scientific text
taken from a journal, containing language appropriate to degree coursework.
He completed this test, carefully pronouncing the technical vocabulary with
no decoding difficulties and some considerable fluency at the rate of 72 words
per minute.
Now Tom reads for pleasure, with no discomfort, and has gained significantly
in confidence. Behaviourally, there are now few, if any, problems, and the school
and LEA have decided not to statement him on the grounds that if they did now,
they would have to statement over 75 per cent of the school roll.
The boy's immediate future looks good in that the school has ensured that
a computer is available with his optimal colour background setting. It is anticipated
that he will be fully tuned (his optimal colour will be white, or as close as
to make virtually no difference) by the turn of the year.
Tom is a client at the Asfedic Tuning Centre near Peterborough, East Midlands,
and the Consultant is Peter Irons, Research Director at TintaVision.
Case Study: Luke
'Luke', first referred through his college under a Disabled Students Allowance
needs assessment, is an undergraduate just starting his second year of Automotive
Engineering. 20-year-old Luke was identified this year as dyslexic using WAIS
111 (Weschler Adult Intelligence Scale 111).
His maximum reading time before needing a break was one minute. He was short-sighted,
without refractive correction and had difficulty maintaining convergence. This
gave rise to severe discomfort when trying to read, and aching above the bridge
of his nose (asthenopia) was symptomatic of the muscular system being unable
to maintain binocular vision at a close enough point for him to be able to focus
at the same time. This was partially the cause of the stamina difficulty.
In addition there was evidence that the degree of shortsight was different
in each eye and the left eye was being intermittently suppressed giving rise
to occasional monocularity and distance judging problems whilst reading, manifesting
as clumsiness with manual tasks after or during reading. Whilst reading he also
experienced a flickering sensation and blurring beyond the five letters he was
able to see clearly.
He presented in June 2001 with a reading speed of 103 words per minute, very
close to the national mode, but very slow compared to most university students.
On technical/complex text his presentation speed was 122 wpm, but with errors
and a lack of fluency.
His first hour long consultation identified his optimum Asfedic Filters and
background computer colours. At the end of this time Luke had gone from 103
wpm on white with none sense text, to 152 wpm with the correct filter. On technical/complex
text he had progressed from 122 to 175wpm fluently without decoding error. He
said that his mouth was having difficulty keeping up with his eyes, but he found
reading silently easy. His optimal computer settings at this point were Red
247, Green 194 and Blue 247.
At his second consultation at the end of August, he presented with a rate of
reading on white (none sense) of 140 wpm, and complex text on white at 169 wpm.
By the end of this consultation, using his new Asfedic Filter, he was reading
at none sense text 173 wpm, complex text 202 words per minute.
This was clearly the limit of the bio-mechanical properties of his mouth. He
no longer experienced stamina problems, the eye aches associated with reading
had diminished and there was a reduction in the clumsiness associated with reading.
In the space of 10 weeks Luke evidenced the following:
- 37% increase in reading speed, none sense text, on white
- 39% increase in reading speed, technical text, on white
- 68% increase in reading speed, none sense text, optimal Asfedic Filter
- 66% increase in reading speed, technical text, optimal Asfedic Filter loss
of stamina problems loss of muscular discomfort while reading
- a gain in fluency.
Luke is a client of the London Asfedic Tuning Centre, Gt. Portland Street, and
the Consultant is Alison Duncan, Senior Consultant at LATC.
For more information
Website: www.tintavision.com
Tel: 01778 349 233, Fax: 01778 345 599
Issue 40, 2001
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