Coloured Filters for Dyslexia, ADHD, ASD and more

Do Coloured Filters Really Help Dyslexia?

The short answer: Coloured overlays and tinted lenses are not a treatment for dyslexia, ADHD or autism. However, some children experience visual stress, where text appears to move, blur or shimmer. For these children, coloured filters may reduce visual discomfort and make reading more comfortable. They are best viewed as an accommodation rather than a cure.

Dyslexia, a common learning difficulty affecting reading and writing skills, has led to the exploration of various interventions to assist those who struggle with it.

One intervention is the use of coloured filters, which can be particularly beneficial for children with dyslexia and other neurodivergent disorders like ADHD.

Let’s investigate how coloured filters can help improve reading ability, the science behind their effectiveness, the best colours to use and additional benefits for neurodivergent children.

Understanding Dyslexia and the Role of Coloured Filters

Dyslexia is characterised by difficulties with accurate and/or fluent word recognition and by poor spelling abilities. These challenges are not due to a lack of intelligence or effort but are often linked to the brain’s way of processing language.

A diagnosis that is increasing in popularity is Irlen Syndrome/Meares-Irlen Syndrome which can cause text to appear distorted or jumbled, leading to headaches, eye strain, and difficulty focusing on the words. (read our article on Iren Syndrome here)

Coloured filters, which can be overlays placed on text or tinted glasses, are believed to reduce visual stress and make reading easier.

What is visual stress?

• words appear to move
• letters blur
• white paper hurts the eyes
• headaches after reading
• losing place
• skipping lines
• excessive blinking
• needing a finger to track text
• avoiding reading

How Coloured Filters Work

The theory behind coloured filters is that they alter the wavelength of light entering the eye, which can reduce the perceptual distortions experienced by individuals with visual stress. This can lead to improved reading speed, accuracy, and comprehension.

Best Colours for Dyslexia

The effectiveness of specific colours varies from person to person and it is most often trial and error to find the right fit. Some common colours that have been found to be particularly beneficial:

1. Blue: Many individuals with dyslexia find that blue filters help to reduce the appearance of moving or shimmering text.
2. Yellow: Yellow overlays are another popular choice, often reported to improve contrast and clarity.
3. Green: Green filters can also be effective, providing a calming effect that reduces eye strain.
4. Purple: Purple filters are sometimes preferred for reducing glare and enhancing visual comfort.

It’s essential to note that the best colour for each individual can vary, and what works for one person may not work for another. Personalised assessments are often recommended to determine the most effective colour for each child’s unique needs.

Coloured overlays aren’t the only option

Many children now read on screens and there are a number of helpful accessibility settings like:

• Kindle sepia mode
• Microsoft Immersive Reader
• Google Docs page colour
• Apple colour filters
• Android accessibility settings
• Dark mode
• Cream backgrounds

Additional Benefits for Neurodivergent Children

Coloured filters are not only beneficial for children with dyslexia but also for those with other neurodivergent traits, including:

1. ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder): Some children with ADHD experience visual stress, glare sensitivity or sensory processing differences. If coloured filters reduce visual discomfort, reading may become easier simply because the child is more comfortable – not because the filters treat ADHD itself.
2. Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD): Some autistic individuals are particularly sensitive to bright light, high contrast and visual clutter. Coloured filters may reduce this sensory discomfort for some people, although they are not considered a treatment for autism.
3. Sensory Processing Disorder: Coloured overlays may help children with sensory processing issues by decreasing visual stress and making text more accessible.

What Does the Science Say?

Research into coloured overlays, tinted lenses and visual stress has been ongoing for several decades, but the findings remain mixed.

Many individuals report that coloured filters make reading more comfortable by reducing symptoms such as headaches, eye strain, glare sensitivity, blurred text or words that appear to move on the page. Some studies have found improvements in reading speed and reading comfort for individuals who experience visual stress.

However, researchers generally agree that coloured filters are not a treatment for dyslexia itself. While some people with dyslexia may also experience visual stress, the two conditions are not the same.

Current evidence suggests that coloured overlays and tinted lenses may be most helpful for individuals who experience symptoms of visual stress, sometimes referred to as Meares-Irlen Syndrome or Pattern Glare. These symptoms can include visual distortions when reading, discomfort when looking at black text on a white background, headaches, eye strain and difficulty maintaining focus on text.

Several studies have reported positive outcomes for some individuals using coloured overlays, particularly in reducing visual discomfort and improving reading endurance. However, other studies have found little or no measurable improvement in reading accuracy or reading ability. As a result, researchers continue to debate the effectiveness of coloured filters as a reading intervention.

What is becoming increasingly clear is that visual stress appears to be a genuine experience for some people, regardless of whether it occurs alongside dyslexia, ADHD, autism or other neurodivergent conditions. For these individuals, coloured filters may serve as a useful accommodation that reduces visual discomfort and makes reading a more positive experience.

Many professionals therefore recommend a practical approach: if a child reports symptoms of visual stress, trying an inexpensive coloured overlay may be worthwhile. If a noticeable improvement in comfort, reading stamina or visual clarity is observed, further assessment by an appropriately qualified professional may be considered.

Practical Tips for Implementing Coloured Filters

1. Personalised Assessment: Conduct a personalised assessment to determine the most effective colour for each child. This can involve trying out different coloured overlays or lenses to see which provides the most significant improvement in reading comfort and performance.
2. Consistent Use: Encourage consistent use of the filters during reading activities to maximise their benefits.
3. Monitor Progress: Regularly monitor the child’s progress and make adjustments as needed. What works at one stage may need to be reevaluated as the child’s reading skills develop.

Remember that filters won’t fix things like…

• phonics
• spelling
• language processing
• vocabulary
• working memory
• ADHD symptoms themselves

To read a comprehensive guide on DYSLEXIA SUPPORT CLICK HERE

Coloured filters offer a promising, non-invasive tool for helping children with dyslexia and other neurodivergent traits improve their reading abilities. While their effectiveness can vary, personalised assessments and consistent use can lead to significant improvements in reading comfort and performance. As research continues to evolve, coloured filters remain a valuable option in the toolkit for supporting neurodivergent children.

The Neuroverse Perspective:

At The Neuroverse, we’ve spoken to many families about coloured filters. Some tell us coloured overlays made no difference at all and others say it really helped, especially when they have a helpful window to view line by line. But, like many neurodiversity supports, coloured filters aren’t one-size-fits-all—but because they’re inexpensive and low-risk, they may be worth exploring if your child experiences visual stress.

Does your child use coloured filters or glasses? Does it help? Please let us know in the comments, we’d love to hear your feedback.

By staying informed and open to various interventions, parents and educators can better support the diverse needs of neurodivergent children, helping them to thrive academically and beyond.

References

• Evans, B. J. W., & Allen, P. M. (2016). A systematic review of controlled trials on visual stress using Intuitive Overlays or the Intuitive Colorimeter. Journal of Optometry, 9(4), 205–218.
• Wilkins, A. J. (2003). Reading Through Colour: How Coloured Filters Can Reduce Reading Difficulty, Eye Strain, and Headaches.
• John Wiley & Sons. Ritchie, S. J., Della Sala, S., & McIntosh, R. D. (2011). Irlen coloured overlays do not alleviate reading difficulties. Pediatrics, 128(4), e932–e938.
• Henderson, L. M., Tsogka, N., & Snowling, M. J. (2013). Questioning the benefits that coloured overlays can have for reading in students with and without dyslexia. Journal of Research in Special Educational Needs, 13(1), 57–65.
• Singleton, C., & Henderson, L. M. (2007). Computerised screening for visual stress in school children. Journal of Research in Reading, 30(2), 216–232.
• British Dyslexia Association. (Updated guidance). Visual Stress and Dyslexia. Available from the British Dyslexia Association website.
• American Academy of Pediatrics, American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus. (Joint policy statement, reaffirmed). Learning Disabilities, Dyslexia, and Vision.