Lili for Life teams up with Dr Helen Ross at the Dyslexia Show 2024

March 19, 2024 Edtech

The leading French manufacturer of reading solutions for dyslexics exhibited at the Dyslexia Show 2024 with Dr Helen Ross to showcase LILI technology at the UK’s flagship trade fair and conference dedicated to dyslexia and neurodiversity. Dr Helen Ross presented the results of her qualitative study of the benefits of reading ability when using the LILI lamp. The LILI lamp uses a unique technology based on the strobe effect, which can improve reading in children and adults with dyslexia.

Gauging the positive impacts of Lili Lamp
Dr Helen Ross, a highly recognised expert in the field of dyslexia, has been working with Lili For Life alongside her subjects to identify the gains and benefits of reading with a LILI Lamp. Using a clear and approved methodology based on the York Assessment of Reading Comprehension (YARC) and the Dynamic Indicators of Basis Early Literacy Skills (DIBELS) assessment batteries, she conducted prolonged visits to measure progress and gather feedback with a select group of children comprising boys and girls aged 11-12 (years 6 and 7). The program employed criterion sampling of subjects with dyslexia and visual stress, which are generally accepted markers to measure success and offer general feedback of feel and comfort while using the Lili Lamp.

Common core standards for better monitoring
Throughout the study period of 2 months, the students participated in standardised reading tests and tasks. In order to create an appropriate frame for comparison and multiple experiences, some assessments were conducted with the lamp, while others were not.

Accuracy, reading rate, and reading comprehension were measured with and without the stroboscopic effect of the LILI Lamp in order to properly assess and monitor the progress and achievements of all children participating in the study.

An ongoing study with strong initial findings
Regardless of individual progress achieved, all children shared very positive comments when using the lamp – 80% appreciated it for the comfort of reading. The most responsive subjects (40%) made considerable quantitative progress in reading and comprehension while using the LILI Lamp, while also sharing a new and unexpected pleasure in reading. They noted that reading was much easier, less stressful and more satisfying when using the LILI Lamps. Greater speed (+65% for one of them), improved accuracy and greater pleasure in reading were among the key findings observed among children most receptive to the stroboscopic light.

The start of a larger relationship
“Collaborating with a recognised expert like Helen enables Lili to gain considerable knowledge and demonstrates how important it is to work closely with those who help individuals with dyslexia from the ground up,” said Bertrand Descours, CEO of Lili For Life. “We’re delighted to be continuing our collaboration with Helen during the Dyslexia Show, helping achieve even greater results with children with dyslexia”.

“Young people with visual stress and dyslexia enjoyed using the LILI Lamp,” added Helen Ross. “It brings comfort and reassurance to the kids who are so dedicated to changing their lives and enjoy reading as much as possible.”

The LILI Lamp: French Scientific Discovery at Work

The Lili for Life technology is based on the scientific discovery of two French physicists, Albert Le Floch and Guy Ropars. Awarded by the National Academy of Medicine in 2020, they proved that dyslexic individuals, unlike non-dyslexic individuals, have two dominant eyes, causing visual clutter and overlapping images during reading.

The LILI lamp emits an invisible stroboscopic light to the naked eye, this flicker adjusted within minutes for the user, thus correcting this effect of overlapping images called "mirrors". A temporal shift is created, and visual perception is freed from this clutter. According to the OpinionWay survey, 66% of users report at least three benefits: they feel more comfortable reading, less fatigue, and reading becomes smoother and faster.

Technical Specifications:

• Autonomy: 7.5 hours
• Configurable through its connected application
• Compact and lightweight at 8,5 oz, it can be transported in its storage case
• Warranty: 2 years

About Helen Ross
Dr Helen Ross is a fully qualified special needs teacher and former SENCO, working as an independent educational research consultant, specialist assessor and SEND expert.

Helen is a Co-Vice Chair of the British Dyslexia Association, Chair of the Wiltshire Dyslexia Association and is on the board of the US, not-for profit National Coalition of Independent Scholars. She has consulted for the British Dyslexia Association, The Committee for Science and Technology (part of the UK Government), and Wiltshire Local Authority. She also works internationally with various third sector and commercial organisations with evaluation, consultancy, and resource development.

Helen’s research explores stakeholder experiences of SEND provision within the mainstream education sector, focusing on the empowerment of those supporting young people, to help them to take ownership of their own learning. She uses her findings from research to inform her own practice and to support other practitioners in their work, through CPD webinars and live sessions.

Helen tweets as @drhelenross and regularly speaks on dyslexia and special educational needs.

About Lili For Life
Aware of the challenging daily life of dyslexic individuals and concerned about remedying the sense of injustice they experience, Frédéric Granotier and his team decided to fund the company Lili for Life in September 2020.

Their ambition is to enable the widest possible dissemination of the disruptive discoveries made by researchers Albert Le Floch and Guy Ropars in order to concretely assist as many dyslexic individuals as possible, both in France and around the world.