Attached is a letter expressing my gratitude for the work you have done and it’s wonderful impact on my son, Zachary. What is missing from this letter is comments from the parent/teacher conference I just had. The school social worker noted that Zachary is “much more laid back” since his tinting. A very general and broad statement for what has really happened.

Thank you so very much!

March 15, 1999

Ms. Helen Irlen

Irlen Institute

5380 Village Road

Long Beach, CA 90808

Dear Ms. Irlen,

This letter is to express my gratitude to you for the work you have done in the area of SSS. I have only just learned of Scotopic Sensitivity, the related symptoms and the benefit of treatment through my son. The improvement in Zachary, who is 10, is such a blessing. Zak has ADHD and has been on Ritalin since he was 3 years old. The diagnosing psychologist at that time told me he was the most hyperactive child she had seen in her 30 years plus of working with children.

While Zak has always loved books, he has a difficult time staying with a book (unless it has many pictures!). He enjoys travelling but if the day were sunny, he would hide under a blanket to get away from the light. I attributed the reading difficulty to his ADHD and his sunlight “frenzy” had me baffled.

Barb David met Zachary and immediately recognized his symptoms. He was not even wearing his glasses at the time. He now wears bifocals and has had the tinting applied. There was approximately twelve weeks between the time he first got the glasses, his scotopic screening, and getting the tinting applied. Simply having the glasses improved his handwriting and decreases the number of his headaches somewhat.

Once the tinting was applied, I began to notice a change in his disposition- he is so much calmer and really has a happier outlook- remarkably so! And the reading! He can now almost finish a book (of fifth grade level or above) in a day. He has even found a new passion: exploring the microfiche of the New York Times at the library. He picks an event in history and can spend hours researching it. The headaches have decreased even more.

Through reading your book and the literature provided by Barb, I have increased my awareness of ways to help Zachary. We never leave home without having a cap in the car-such an easy thing has made a big difference.

Zachary will never know how very much your efforts have improved his life. I will never forget them. Thank you so much for the work you have done and for the capable training of the Barb David’s of the world.

Best regards,

Carolyn Simpson