The Heath

Learning Support Department

Dyslexia

A guide for Parents & Carers

What is Dyslexia?

Dyslexia is a learning ‘difference’that primarily affects the skills involved in accurate and fluent reading and spelling.

Children with Dyslexia often have good verbal skills but have an ‘unexpected’difficulty with reading or demonstrating their knowledge in writing

Characteristic features of dyslexia are difficulties with:

  • phonological awareness (the sounds within words)
  • short term memory
  • Information processing speed
  • Sequencing

Other difficulties may be seen in aspects of co-ordination, mental calculation, concentration and organisation, but these are not, by themselves, markers of dyslexia.

It is now established that dyslexia is caused by certain neurological differences in the brain, and it is believed that these may be hereditary.

Dyslexia sometimes occurs alongside other specific difficulties, such as Dyspraxia or Attention Deficit (Hyperactivity) Disorder (ADHD)

Some people with dyslexia may suffer from visual perception difficulties often called Irlen syndrome

Facts about dyslexia

  • At least 10% of the UK population has dyslexia – 4% have severe difficulties with a further 6% having mild to moderate difficulties.
  • It is estimated that there are about375,000schoolchildren in the UK with dyslexia, about 3 children in every classroom.
  • Dyslexia is like a thumb print, every case is different. Every individual with dyslexia has their own unique pattern of strengths and weaknesses.
  • People with dyslexia process information in a different way.
  • Dyslexia does not affect intelligence. It occurs across the range of intellectual abilities.
  • Dyslexia need not be a barrier to achievement with suitable teaching, resources and adaptations to ways of working and learning.

Characteristics of Dyslexia

Poor spelling

Slow or laboured reading

Written work does not reflect verbal ability

Poor organisation and sequencing of written work

Difficulty knowing where to start

Difficulty copying from the board

Difficulty multi-tasking, can’t listen whilst writing

Poor concentration, easily distracted

Poor memory – may forget lists of instructions or lose track of what to do during a lesson. May forget equipment, PE kit or where to be at a particular time.

Dyslexia can also affect a child’s confidence and self-esteem.

Children may feel upset, angry or frustrated.

People with dyslexia are often very talented. Typical strengths include:

Excellent at problem solving

Creative

Inventive

Inquisitive

Holistic thinkers

Intuitive

Have a vivid imagination

Ability to see multi-dimensionally

Good at sport

Musical

Good verbal skills

Famous dyslexics include:

Einstein

Richard Branson

Bill Gates

Keira Knightley

Jamie oliver

Orlando Bloom

Dyslexia Friendly

The Heath is a Dyslexia Friendly School. We were awarded the Dyslexia Friendly Schools Quality Mark in 2011 in recognition of our teaching and support of students with dyslexic tendencies. In a Dyslexia Friendly School, Dyslexia is viewed as a learning ‘difference’ not a learning difficulty.

Teachers are trained to identify learning issues andto take action straight away whilst waiting for assessments to be carried out.

In a Dyslexia Friendly School small changes and adaptations to teaching and learning practices make huge differences to dyslexic learners.

Strategies that help Dyslexic learners have been proven to help all students.

‘If a child does not learn in the way in which we teach, then we must teach him in the way in which he learns.’

(Dr. H. Chasty international Consultant)

Dyslexia Friendly Strategies

in the Classroom

Blue board markers

Cream paper as standard, personal colour preferences where required

Rounded fonts such as Ariel, Comic sans or Calibri.

Tinted background on Interactive Board and for PowerPoint presentations

Short, clear instructions repeated throughout the lesson and given in writing

Work given in manageable chunks

Key words to support current topics clearly displayed

Multi – sensory teaching and learning. The use of as many senses as simultaneously as possible helps with the retention ofinformation.

Limited copying from the board or text books. Handouts and worksheets provided as an alternative.

Use of desk top aidse.g. times tables squares, number lines, coloured overlays.

Additional time given for reading, to formulate answers verbally and to complete written work

Students not asked to multi – task.

Help with planning and organisation of written work – writing frames, sentence starters, Mind maps etc.

Use of ICT wherever possible to support learning.

Dyslexic students allocated a ‘reading Buddy’

Students not asked to read aloud unless they volunteer.

Students’ strengths identified and utilised.

Limited written work - students demonstrate their knowledge in a variety of ways e.g.through pictures, diagrams, drama, model making, bullet points, discussion

Lesson summary notes or photocopies of Power Point presentations available to students

Homework given ona separate sheet or scribed into planner

Additional support

Sometimes a student with dyslexia may need some additional help and support e.g.

  • Intensive one – to – one or small group sessions with the dyslexia specialist teacher working on a structured reading and spelling programme
  • Early Bird Reading Programme
  • Notebook computer or use of a laptop if required
  • Handwriting support programme
  • Help with planning and organisation of GCSE Coursework
  • Access arrangements to help with exams eg a reader, scribe, extra time
  • Support from members of the Centre for Student Intervention Team including Learning Mentors and Counsellors.
  • In-class support from our learning Support Assistants

Where to find more information

The Centre for Student Intervention (CSI) operates an open door policy. If you would like any further information, have any concerns or wish to discuss your child’s needs please contact: –

Mrs J. McCoy (Learning Support/Dyslexia Specialist Teacher)

Miss A. Farr (SENDCO)

Mrs McCoy is also available to see parents every other Friday afternoon (week 1) from 2.10 – 3.30pm. Please contact the school to make an appointment.

Informal dyslexia awarenessinformation sessions are run throughout the year for parents and carers.

During Dyslexia Awareness Week in the Autumn term we hold a drop-inDyslexia Day for parents and carers in the CSI. This provides an opportunity to learn more about Dyslexia, to meet CSI staff and view our dyslexia friendly resources.

Dates of forthcoming events can be found in the school Newsletter and school website - ww.heathschool.org.uk

Useful Websites and organisations

Dyslexia Action 228 8056

British Dyslexia Association

Tel: 0845 251 9002

Cheshire Dyslexia Association

Tel:01606 784666

TheDyspraxia Foundation

Tel: 01462 455 016

ADDISS The National Attention Deficit Disorder Information Support Service Tel:020 8952 2800

Irlen Institute

You Tube videos about dyslexia

‘Left from Write’

Kara Tointon – ‘Don’t Call Me Stupid’

Audio Books for iPod download

Free e-books for downloading
Revision Guides

On-line revision guides

Dyslexia Friendly Books

Assistive Technology:

Dragon Speech to Text software

Touch Typing

BBC Dance Mat Typing (free)

Produced by Mrs J McCoy September 2012

Sources:

British Dyslexia Association

Dyslexia Action

Neil McKay:The Dyslexia Friendly Schools Toolkit