The Irlen Institute announces the certification of eighteen new practitioners who have completed specialized training to provide Irlen services for individuals experiencing visual stress and light sensitivity. The newly certified professionals span fifteen locations across six continents, strengthening the organization's ability to serve individuals with Irlen Syndrome worldwide.
The latest group of certified practitioners includes healthcare professionals, educators, and specialists from diverse backgrounds. Among them are Dr. Belinda Palmer, D.C. from Alabama, Dr. Shauna Owens, DPT from Texas, and Alison Vandersand, a registered pharmacist and Certified Melillo Method Practitioner from Illinois. International certifications include professionals from Australia, Canada, Israel, Switzerland, Norway, Hong Kong, and Japan.
"The expansion of our certified practitioner network represents a significant step forward in making Irlen services accessible to more individuals who struggle with visual processing difficulties," said Sandra Tosta, COO for the Perceptual Development Corporation at the Irlen Institute. "Each of these New Practitioners brings unique expertise from their respective fields, whether in optometry, occupational therapy, education, or healthcare, which enriches our ability to serve diverse populations experiencing light sensitivity and reading difficulties."
The certification process involves comprehensive training in the Irlen Method, which uses specifically selected colored overlays and spectral filters to address perceptual processing difficulties. Practitioners learn to identify symptoms of Irlen Syndrome, conduct proper screenings, and determine appropriate color interventions for each individual's specific needs.
Recent additions to the practitioner network include occupational therapists like Normanie Ricks, MS, OTR/L from Georgia and Angela On Kei Lai, MS, OT from Hong Kong, education experts such as Fawn Vernon, M.Ed from California and Lisa Baker, MA from Florida, Kristine Rosevear, MA from Alaska, and Dr. Yahya Hajazi and Rawan Labadi Hawash, MA from Israel. The geographic diversity of these professionals reflects the growing global recognition of Irlen Syndrome as a condition affecting millions of adults and children worldwide.
The timing of these certifications aligns with increasing awareness of visual processing difficulties in educational and healthcare settings. Research continues to demonstrate the impact of light sensitivity on academic and workplace performance, attention, and overall quality of life, making trained practitioners essential for proper identification and intervention.
The Irlen Institute maintains rigorous standards for practitioner certification, ensuring that all certified professionals demonstrate proficiency in screening protocols, color selection procedures, and understanding of the neurological basis of Irlen Syndrome. This standardization ensures consistent, quality care regardless of geographic location.
The Irlen Institute specializes in the use of color to alleviate visual stress and improve the quality of life for individuals with light sensitivity and related conditions. As a pioneer in spectral filter color lens technology, the organization provides identification and intervention for Irlen Syndrome, colored overlays and spectral filters, self-testing resources, and professional training programs. With certified providers now in 46 countries, The Irlen Institute continues to advance research and develop solutions for individuals with light-based visual processing difficulties.
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For more information about The Irlen Institute, contact the company here:
The Irlen Institute
Sandra Tosta
562-496-2550
sandy@irlen.com
5380 E. Village Road
Long Beach, CA 90808