This webpage has been created to give Teachers and SENCos within Schools and Parents/Carers easy access to revelant information and resources to support young children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities.
This is part of a series of SEN resources webpages that are being created. This series includes:
- SEN Early Years Resources
- SEND Support resources for pupils/students with Speech, Language and Communication Needs (SLCN)
Please click on the headings below for information and resorces relevant to that subject area.
Understanding Dyslexia & how Dyslexic learners feel
Dyslexia is a learning difference, a combination of strengths and weaknesses which affects the learning process in reading, spelling, writing and sometimes number and calculation. Dyslexic learners may also have accompanying weaknesses in short-term memory, sequencing and the speed at which they process information. These are skills that everyone needs if they are to learn effectively in a busy classroom. They are also key skills for life.
Definitions of Dyslexia - please click on this image to view or download from the downloadable documents section on the right-hand side of this webpage
Learning problems arise if dyslexia is not recognised and the teaching is inappropriate.
Dyslexia and brain hemispheres - please click on this image to view or download from the downloadable documents section on the right-hand side of this webpage
Specific Learning Difficulties (SpLD)
Specific Learning Difficulties is an umbrella term covering a range of developmental learning problems that are biological in origin, have a high heritability, are largely independent of intelligence and socio-economic factors, and who individual differences in severity (BDA 2006).
Under the heading of SpLDs, the British Dyslexia Association (2007) lists the following:
- Dyslexia,
- Dysphasia,
- speech and language delay and/or deficit;
- Dyspraxia,
- motor and co-ordination difficulties,
- Attention deficit disorder with or without hyperactivity (ADD/ADHD);
- Autism,
- Aspergers Syndrome,
- Tourette Syndrome.
The term Specific Learning Difficulties is often used synonymously with Dyslexia. Whilst specialist tutors support students with any SpLD, they are usually referred to as Dyslexia Specialist Teachers or Dyslexia Support Tutors since Dyslexia is the most common form of SpLD. There is a high degree of comorbidity of the forms of SpLDs, which has to also be taken into consideration in support provided.
History and signs of Dyslexia - please click on this image to view or download from the downloadable documents section on the right-hand side of this webpage
Understanding the Dyslexic brain - please click on this image to view or download from the downloadable documents section on the right-hand side of this webpage
Dyslexia - How it Feels - please click on this image to view or download from the downloadable documents section on the right-hand side of this webpage
Key points about Dyslexia - please click on this image to view or download from the downloadable documents section on the right-hand side of this webpage
Underlying difficulties for learners with Dyslexia
Dyslexia is a variable condition and not all people with dyslexia will display the same range of difficulties or characteristics. However, the following characteristics have been widely noted in connection with dyslexia:(please click on the title to view or download from the downloads section on the right-hand side of this webpage)
Identifying Dyslexic learners
These downloadable lists of typical Dyslexic barriers to learning and downloadable identification checklists may be usefull in intentifying Dyslexic learners. (please click on the title to view or download from the downloads section on the right-hand side of this webpage)
Whole-School Dyslexia Friendly approach
Most Dyslexic-friendly approaches will be familiar to teachers. The important thing is that they are consistent throughout the school and that the class teacher regularly reminds the children about them. Without this, dyslexic children will forget to use the help available.
The arrangement of a classroom, which is inclusive for dyslexic pupils, encourages inclusion for all learners. Many of these children have a mild level of difficulty that can be managed in the mainstream classroom. For those that experience problems at a more severe level, it is critical that the classroom and methodologies are designed to answer their needs. All children will benefit; the dyslexic child cannot manage without them!
(please click on the images to view or download from the downloads section on the right-hand side of this webpage)
Below are some resources from the former "National Strategies" that you may find useful (please click on the images to view and /or download from the downloads section on the right-hand side of this webpage)
Writing mat template (please download from the downloads section on the right-hand side of this webpage)
What if I can't spell and instructions posters (please download from the downloads section on the right-hand side of this webpage)
Alternatives to writing poster
Set of six area specific models and images posters and full information sheets (please click on the images to view or download from the downloads section on the right-hand side of this webpage)
General strategies and resources for assisting Dyslexic learners
Please click on the images to view and /or download from the downloads section on the right-hand side of this webpage
Additional adults in the classroom
Some useful English spelling rules
Practical Solutions for Writing
The Dyslexic Reader (strategies)
Addressing Slow Processing and Working Memory difficulties in the classroom
Planning Maps for Different Writing Genre (examples)
Study Skills for older students with Dyslexia
You may also find "What works for children and young people with literacy difficulties?" by Greg Brooks to find out what intervention schemes have been used in the UK in an attempt to boost the reading, spelling or overall writing attainment of lower-achieving pupils between the ages of 5 and 18, and how effective they have proven to be.
Android Apps for Learners with Dyslexia/ Reading and Writing Difficulties
iPad Apps for Learners with Dyslexia/ Reading and Writing Difficulties
British Dyslexia Association Style Guide (bdadyslexia.org.uk) - principles that can help ensure that written material considers the difficulties experienced by some dyslexic people and allows for the use of text to speech to facilitate ease of reading.
Subject specific strategies for Dyslexic learners
Please click on the titles below to view these resources orselectthem to download in the downloads section on the right-hand side of this webpage.
Good books related to Dyslexia that you may wish to buy
Removing Dyslexia as a Barrier to Achievement
As an increasing interest and need in the means to address dyslexic students learning needs becomes more widespread, in the educational and wider community, the arrival of this text toolkit adds to the body of resources available for use by educators.
.............By drawing together various familiar and innovative strategies to apply to learning needs experienced by students dealing with dyslexia, into a coherent practitioner friendly framework the author is offering a toolkit which will be found useful by teacher training institutions, beginning teachers, experienced classroom teachers as well as specialist and support educators in itinerant and school based roles.
Review by Ruth Jones R.T.L.B. (M.Ed Psych, BA, Post Grad Dip Teaching)
Total Teaching - Raising the achievement of vulnerable groups
Fewer students are getting official labels of need - like Dyslexia, ASD and/or ADHD. Yet the needs are still there. Total Teaching helps busy class teachers to "notice and adjust" - to notice who will benefit from being taught as if they have a label and to fine tune lessons to ensure that progress is made. In essence, Total Teaching equips teachers with "just enough" of the knowledge, skills and strategies of a specialist to include students who think faster than they read, write, spell and get their ideas down on paper. It continues where "Removing Dyslexia as a Barrier to Achievement" leaves off and is full of practical strategies that help individuals without always needing to give individual help. Please click the YouTube link on the website to see a short video presentation that explains the Total Teaching concept and outlines the solution focussed nature of the book.
