Comments on: Goodbye to fluorescent bulbs - Here’s looking at you kid. http://blog.donnawilliams.net/2007/02/20/heres-looking-at-you-kid/ Ever the arty Autie Thu, 28 Aug 2008 00:29:32 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.3 By: donna http://blog.donnawilliams.net/2007/02/20/heres-looking-at-you-kid/#comment-20786 donna Mon, 14 Jul 2008 07:32:24 +0000 http://blog.donnawilliams.net/2007/02/20/heres-looking-at-you-kid/#comment-20786 what I did was at the schools where I was an autism consultant, I'd identify the kids with behaviours ndicative of visual perceptual disorders and recommend they be seated in the row closest to natural light and underneath a row of lights which could be turned off. There's also the possibility of standard brown or grey sunglasses available to those who find the fluorescent lights make them distracted, tetchy, agitated, restless during a lesson. And advice the home to check salicylate intake on those with significant visual perceptual and attentional problems and ensure they got adequate levels of omega 3s in the diet. you can find more info on such issues in the books: Like Colour To The Blind, Autism; An Inside Out Approach, The Jumbled Jigsaw. :-) Donna Williams *) what I did was at the schools where I was an autism consultant, I’d identify the kids with behaviours ndicative of visual perceptual disorders and recommend they be seated in the row closest to natural light and underneath a row of lights which could be turned off.

There’s also the possibility of standard brown or grey sunglasses available to those who find the fluorescent lights make them distracted, tetchy, agitated, restless during a lesson.

And advice the home to check salicylate intake on those with significant visual perceptual and attentional problems and ensure they got adequate levels of omega 3s in the diet.

you can find more info on such issues in the books:

Like Colour To The Blind,
Autism; An Inside Out Approach,
The Jumbled Jigsaw.

:-) Donna Williams *)

]]> By: Dan http://blog.donnawilliams.net/2007/02/20/heres-looking-at-you-kid/#comment-20780 Dan Mon, 14 Jul 2008 04:29:44 +0000 http://blog.donnawilliams.net/2007/02/20/heres-looking-at-you-kid/#comment-20780 Donna, I am a teacher. While I never realized the connection between learning, lighting, and autism I did see the connection (or disconnection) between flourescent lighting and restless learning in my classroom. I have attempted to bring in my own lamps but have been asked to remove them from my room (supposed fire hazard). Is there anything you could suggest that I do to alter my flourescent bulbs in my ceiling so that I am at least minimizing the blast of light? Is there some sort of celophane plastic that is colored that I could stretch over the lights in the ceiling? Thanks for any suggestions... Donna,
I am a teacher. While I never realized the connection between learning, lighting, and autism I did see the connection (or disconnection) between flourescent lighting and restless learning in my classroom. I have attempted to bring in my own lamps but have been asked to remove them from my room (supposed fire hazard). Is there anything you could suggest that I do to alter my flourescent bulbs in my ceiling so that I am at least minimizing the blast of light? Is there some sort of celophane plastic that is colored that I could stretch over the lights in the ceiling? Thanks for any suggestions…

]]> By: donna http://blog.donnawilliams.net/2007/02/20/heres-looking-at-you-kid/#comment-15199 donna Sun, 04 Nov 2007 08:17:06 +0000 http://blog.donnawilliams.net/2007/02/20/heres-looking-at-you-kid/#comment-15199 thanks for the confidence Rhonda. have you been to my website http://www.donnawilliams.net you'll see I'm so busy. but do feel free to quote me. and I have written extensively about the relationship between fluorescent bulbs and visual perception in Like Colour To The Blind as well as Autism; An Inside Out Approach and The Jumbled Jigsaw if you feel like quoting from any of those. There's also mention in Somebody Somewhere. All the best, :-) Donna *) thanks for the confidence Rhonda.
have you been to my website http://www.donnawilliams.net
you’ll see I’m so busy.
but do feel free to quote me.
and I have written extensively about the relationship between fluorescent bulbs and visual perception in Like Colour To The Blind as well as Autism; An Inside Out Approach and The Jumbled Jigsaw if you feel like quoting from any of those. There’s also mention in Somebody Somewhere.

All the best,

:-) Donna *)

]]> By: Rhonda Stone http://blog.donnawilliams.net/2007/02/20/heres-looking-at-you-kid/#comment-15198 Rhonda Stone Sun, 04 Nov 2007 08:08:41 +0000 http://blog.donnawilliams.net/2007/02/20/heres-looking-at-you-kid/#comment-15198 Hi Donna! I just want to thank you for continuing to speak out against lighting conditions that are disruptive to at least 20% of the population. Are you interested in getting involved in an advocacy group that would take this message to the next level: researchers and policy-makers? I strongly believe the time is right. The research community is finally beginning to become more actively involved. Sincerely, Rhonda Stone Author, The Light Barrier, St. Martin's Press, 2002/Griffen 2003 RSStone74@aol.com Hi Donna! I just want to thank you for continuing to speak out against lighting conditions that are disruptive to at least 20% of the population. Are you interested in getting involved in an advocacy group that would take this message to the next level: researchers and policy-makers? I strongly believe the time is right. The research community is finally beginning to become more actively involved.

Sincerely,
Rhonda Stone
Author, The Light Barrier, St. Martin’s Press, 2002/Griffen 2003
RSStone74@aol.com

]]> By: donna http://blog.donnawilliams.net/2007/02/20/heres-looking-at-you-kid/#comment-14443 donna Mon, 01 Oct 2007 22:15:32 +0000 http://blog.donnawilliams.net/2007/02/20/heres-looking-at-you-kid/#comment-14443 not sure re histamines. grapefruit, peppermint, vegemite, red wine - all make me sneeze they're also all high in phenols and salicylates, which I'm allergic to and can't detox well from. so not sure if its histamines I was always a very allergic person. I take high dose timed-release non-acid vit C which helps I was first put on that (and zinc and multivitamin-minerals) at age 10 in 1973. very innovative at the time. :-) not sure re histamines.
grapefruit, peppermint, vegemite, red wine - all make me sneeze
they’re also all high in phenols and salicylates, which I’m allergic to and can’t detox well from.
so not sure if its histamines

I was always a very allergic person.
I take high dose timed-release non-acid vit C which helps
I was first put on that (and zinc and multivitamin-minerals)
at age 10 in 1973.

very innovative at the time.

:-)

]]> By: Donna Tomasovic http://blog.donnawilliams.net/2007/02/20/heres-looking-at-you-kid/#comment-14441 Donna Tomasovic Mon, 01 Oct 2007 19:08:44 +0000 http://blog.donnawilliams.net/2007/02/20/heres-looking-at-you-kid/#comment-14441 Dear Donna, Do you have problems with foods containing histamines? Thanks so much for your response. Dear Donna,

Do you have problems with foods containing histamines? Thanks so much for your response.

]]> By: Kristina Dahl http://blog.donnawilliams.net/2007/02/20/heres-looking-at-you-kid/#comment-13273 Kristina Dahl Wed, 05 Sep 2007 19:19:08 +0000 http://blog.donnawilliams.net/2007/02/20/heres-looking-at-you-kid/#comment-13273 Hi Donna, I also have scotopic sensitivity syndrome. I developed it along with chemical sensitivity after being exposed to new carpeting that I was sensitive to. I could hardly read at all and saw several doctors, none of whom knew what I was talking about or who could help me. I was in a neurology training program and had enormous difficulty due to having so much trouble reading. I finally figured out what was wrong when there was a news journalism program on TV about this disorder, and I got colored lenses. They helped incredibly. Eventually I discovered that the chemicals in the carpeting were making me ill and these days, now that I no longer have that exposure, no longer need the glasses. I have read several of your books and admire your talent and perdceptiveness. Hi Donna,
I also have scotopic sensitivity syndrome. I developed it along with chemical sensitivity after being exposed to new carpeting that I was sensitive to. I could hardly read at all and saw several doctors, none of whom knew what I was talking about or who could help me. I was in a neurology training program and had enormous difficulty due to having so much trouble reading. I finally figured out what was wrong when there was a news journalism program on TV about this disorder, and I got colored lenses. They helped incredibly. Eventually I discovered that the chemicals in the carpeting were making me ill and these days, now that I no longer have that exposure, no longer need the glasses.

I have read several of your books and admire your talent and perdceptiveness.

]]> By: donna http://blog.donnawilliams.net/2007/02/20/heres-looking-at-you-kid/#comment-8342 donna Mon, 28 May 2007 02:27:36 +0000 http://blog.donnawilliams.net/2007/02/20/heres-looking-at-you-kid/#comment-8342 Hi Liz, sadly these teachers have read nothing on the research showing a significant percentage of people with ASD have visual perceptual disorders, mostly Scotopic Sensitivity Syndrome, which is exacerbated by white fluoros. The MINND Foundation international conference recently as SSS included in the list of common co-occurring conditions in ASD. Of course I've written of SSS in Like Colour To The Blind, in Autism; An Inside Out Approach and in The Jumbled Jigsaw, but if these teachers insist on being 'old school' and unable to think holistically, then that's a disability we can do little about I'm afraid. It's true that not ALL people with ASD are affected by lighting but its a real shame teacher's would compromise those who do when altering lighting would do no harm to those without the issue. Also if they are overstimulating a child in other ways whilst testing for lighting or testing them after they've had colored cordial or other dietary nasties, they won't see an effect of altering lighting because too many other factors are not controlled for. But as for whether they are experts in visual perceptual disorders able to test for what they are presuming isn't there, I strongly doubt it. They sound as if they wanted to dismiss it so did little to control for other variables and test properly in order to find WHICH children had these issues, presuming instead that because it wasn't all then it couldn't have been any. How convenient. But if nothing else they might be encouraged to change their fluoros to the 'warm white'. The BPI autism test range of tinted lenses includes two common sunglasses tints - Sahara and Aviator Grey - you can find more info on the BPI test range for autism on http://www.donnawilliams.net then go to 'autism' then to 'articles' then to 'sensory' and you'll see the article titled 'tinted lenses'. All the best. :-) Donna Williams *) www.donnawilliams.net Hi Liz,

sadly these teachers have read nothing on the research showing a significant percentage of people with ASD have visual perceptual disorders, mostly Scotopic Sensitivity Syndrome, which is exacerbated by white fluoros.

The MINND Foundation international conference recently as SSS included in the list of common co-occurring conditions in ASD. Of course I’ve written of SSS in Like Colour To The Blind, in Autism; An Inside Out Approach and in The Jumbled Jigsaw, but if these teachers insist on being ‘old school’ and unable to think holistically, then that’s a disability we can do little about I’m afraid.

It’s true that not ALL people with ASD are affected by lighting but its a real shame teacher’s would compromise those who do when altering lighting would do no harm to those without the issue.

Also if they are overstimulating a child in other ways whilst testing for lighting or testing them after they’ve had colored cordial or other dietary nasties, they won’t see an effect of altering lighting because too many other factors are not controlled for.

But as for whether they are experts in visual perceptual disorders able to test for what they are presuming isn’t there, I strongly doubt it. They sound as if they wanted to dismiss it so did little to control for other variables and test properly in order to find WHICH children had these issues, presuming instead that because it wasn’t all then it couldn’t have been any. How convenient. But if nothing else they might be encouraged to change their fluoros to the ‘warm white’.

The BPI autism test range of tinted lenses includes two common sunglasses tints - Sahara and Aviator Grey - you can find more info on the BPI test range for autism on http://www.donnawilliams.net then go to ‘autism’ then to ‘articles’ then to ’sensory’ and you’ll see the article titled ‘tinted lenses’.

All the best.

:-) Donna Williams *)
http://www.donnawilliams.net

]]> By: Liz Websdale http://blog.donnawilliams.net/2007/02/20/heres-looking-at-you-kid/#comment-8341 Liz Websdale Mon, 28 May 2007 01:33:26 +0000 http://blog.donnawilliams.net/2007/02/20/heres-looking-at-you-kid/#comment-8341 Hi Donna , my husband and I have noticed the kids really struggle with fluorecent lights. There are some stores we just can't go into there are so many lights. My little girl ended up on the floor crying it was just too much for her in one store. We got rid of all the fluro lights in our home and they are much calmer for it. When we go shopping I put baseball caps and sunglasses(when I can find the glasses we are always losing those!). I have mentioned this at their autism specific school here in Melbourne (they use fluros) and they say it doesn't make any difference.I personally think my sons behavior is more unfocused at school- its hard to judge as we aren't allowedto watch a class , but just from visiting for birthdays... How do they know when they haven't tried the rooms with incandecent bulbs? They are now building a purpose built autism school. When I suggested no fluros for the new school the principal just rolled her eyes. I don't know why this issue is not taken seriously by the school when I have heard adult Autties mention this at lectures, being an issue for them. I think I may have read it in one of your books and realised what the "trigger " was to the erratic behavior in some stores we went into. From a very early age there was a particular Spotlight store my son would cry and cry in every time we went even though I tried not to stay very long. It had fluros all over the ceilings... Liz Hi Donna , my husband and I have noticed the kids really struggle with fluorecent lights. There are some stores we just can’t go into there are so many lights. My little girl ended up on the floor crying it was just too much for her in one store. We got rid of all the fluro lights in our home and they are much calmer for it. When we go shopping I put baseball caps and sunglasses(when I can find the glasses we are always losing those!). I have mentioned this at their autism specific school here in Melbourne (they use fluros) and they say it doesn’t make any difference.I personally think my sons behavior is more unfocused at school- its hard to judge as we aren’t allowedto watch a class , but just from visiting for birthdays… How do they know when they haven’t tried the rooms with incandecent bulbs? They are now building a purpose built autism school. When I suggested no fluros for the new school the principal just rolled her eyes. I don’t know why this issue is not taken seriously by the school when I have heard adult Autties mention this at lectures, being an issue for them. I think I may have read it in one of your books and realised what the “trigger ” was to the erratic behavior in some stores we went into. From a very early age there was a particular Spotlight store my son would cry and cry in every time we went even though I tried not to stay very long. It had fluros all over the ceilings… Liz

]]> By: Stuart Vallantine http://blog.donnawilliams.net/2007/02/20/heres-looking-at-you-kid/#comment-4480 Stuart Vallantine Tue, 27 Feb 2007 14:30:19 +0000 http://blog.donnawilliams.net/2007/02/20/heres-looking-at-you-kid/#comment-4480 Hi Donna, I've just read your fluorescent lights posting and sometimes, a certain superstore's array of fluorescent tubes would dazzle me. At that point, I would end up entering the store, only to return straight back within a matter of seconds. Much as I admire this small step towards energy conservation and saving the planet, I still think they should also concentrate on using solar, wind and wave energy more. Could fibre optic lighting be a good substitute for the traditional light bulb or even fluorescent tubes? Stuart. Hi Donna,

I’ve just read your fluorescent lights posting and sometimes, a certain superstore’s array of fluorescent tubes would dazzle me. At that point, I would end up entering the store, only to return straight back within a matter of seconds.

Much as I admire this small step towards energy conservation and saving the planet, I still think they should also concentrate on using solar, wind and wave energy more.

Could fibre optic lighting be a good substitute for the traditional light bulb or even fluorescent tubes?

Stuart.

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