Your Questions - the answers to some of your most frequently asked questions

Do you cure dyslexia?

David Harris says "How can you cure someone who isn't ill?  Dyslexia is not an illness or any sort of disease - it is just a difference."  But this difference in literacy and sometimes numeracy can make life-changing difficulties for the sufferer and what is often forgotten is that a dyslexic will look at and successfully solve problems in a more successful way than a non-dyslexic.  Dyslexics tend to take a global approach to problems and this can be extremely successful.

In any case, Harris Filters can't make dyslexia completely disappear from an individual but they can help to improve performance and make reading easier.  The rest is up to the dyslexic!

Who performs a Harris Filter assessment?

Assessments can only be performed by a certified practitioner at a regional Harris Foundation clinic. Taking around one and a half hours, the assessment is carried out in a relaxed and informal environment and is designed to measure the increase in reading ability gained whilst using the filters. A local assessment can be arranged by calling the helpline on 0845 230 1771

How do I know if my child (or someone else that I care about) is dyslexic? 

The British Dyslexia Association often use the Adult Dyslexia Check list and this is a very useful guide if you have concerns (and many factors are common in both adults and children).  Try it by clicking here for the free Harris Foundation copy and if you are concerned or need advice then please call the helpline - we will be pleased to help

Can both children and adults benefit from Harris Filters?

Yes. The minimum age for an assessment is usually 8 years old but other assessments may still be carried out with younger children and the practitioner should be consulted first. There is no upper age limit

Don't people sometimes say that their child is dyslexic when really they are just "thick"?

This is quite often quoted by people other than the parents but in David Harris's experience it is extremely rare in practice.  There is nothing thick about dyslexics, they are just not good at reading and writing - in fact most definitions of dyslexia agree that over 90% of people matched by I.Q. would be expected to have much greater reading abilities.  In any case, dyslexics can have far greater skills in other areas than non-dyslexics.  Professor John Stein from Oxford University says "Dyslexics have many talents that just don't happen to include reading and writing" and this perfectly summarises their problems.  Most definitely, dyslexics are not thick!

How do I know if Harris Filters can help myself or my child?

Many of the symptoms found in dyslexia can be helped - if not directly then indirectly.  If you are dyslexic then the chances are that the visual filters can help - but the only sure way is to have an assessment.  Simply contact The Harris Foundation to arrange one or to seek clarification

Can I get the spectacles insured through the The Harris Foundation?

The Harris Foundation offers a Replacement Scheme instead of ordinary insurance.  It can be paid for weekly (only £1.35 per week) or there is an annual enrolment fee of £59 if annual payment is chosen.  Claims for replacement spectacles and Harris Filters (for any reason, including a simple change of prescription) are at extremely cheap prices - usually only £45 for complete pairs including frames!  Since the beginning of 2005 The Harris Foundation now offers the option of paying the annual enrolment fee weekly or monthly by standing order so that 52 weekly payments (or 12 monthly payments) are made for just £1.35 per week.  The cover can extend to family members (who may well not be dyslexic) at no additional cost to the enrolment fee too.  To download the explanatory sheet as a PDF file click here or to read about The Harris Foundation Replacement Scheme online click here.  If you would like to enrol (£1.35 per week and £45 for a claim!), please click the 'Insurance' button on the left or ring the local rate Helpline on 0845 230 1771

Are both the left and right lenses of the spectacles the same? 

No.  When the filters are prescribed, the left and right sides are actively "balanced” (called dynamic haploscopic prescribing) so that the left and right lenses in the glasses are always different

Are the special spectacles too dark to wear indoors?

No.  Both the spectacles with coloured lenses and the newer "sunglass" type lenses are easy to wear indoors and the lenses do not reduce the amount of light enough to interfere with reading

To read the PDF downloads you need Acrobat Reader.  To download it free, just click this link: 

Last modification 8 October 2006