3 Enquiry and Research

Supporting dyslexia and inclusive practice - 3 Enquiry and research

Supporting dyslexia and inclusive practice

Supporting Dyslexia Inclusive Practice

3 Enquiry and research

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Written by the Addressing Dyslexia Toolkit and Dyslexia Scotland with the support of the Opening Educational Practices in Scotland Project
Contents

Introduction
3.1 Dyslexia
3.2 The co–occurrence of dyslexia with other areas of additional support
3.3 Good practice for identification

Introduction

There is a wealth of Scottish literature which provides information about definitions, associated difficulties, underlying causes and advice on assessment and intervention. These include

Dyslexia Review (2008) Literature Review

Dyslexia Review (2014) - Education Scotland Review Making Sense Dyslexia: Education for Children and Young People with Dyslexia in Scotland.
Education Scotland − Route Map for Dyslexia and Inclusive Practice 2015 Literature Review
Addressing Dyslexia Toolkit (2012): This was originally launched as the Assessing Dyslexia Toolkit for Teachers in June 2010, and outlines the definition of dyslexia that has been developed by the Scottish Government, Dyslexia Scotland and the Cross Party Group on Dyslexia.
Supporting Pupils with Dyslexia at Primary School (2011):A series of 8 booklets that were provided to every primary school in Scotland and contains information and advice about dyslexia from the early stages to transition to secondary school, and also contains information on support for learning departments, school management teams, as well as, about good practice when working with parents. These booklets can be downloaded from the Dyslexia Scotland website.
Supporting Pupils with Dyslexia in the Secondary Curriculum (2013):A series of 20 booklets that were provided to every secondary school in Scotland and aim to provide subject teachers and support staff with advice and strategies to support learners with dyslexia. The booklets can be downloaded from the Dyslexia Scotland website.
Dyslexia at Transition (2007) – The Dyslexia at Transition Project Team consisted of staff from Edinburgh, Strathclyde and Aberdeen Universities and education authorities. The team worked with school staff, parents and pupils to produce a DVD and support pack ‘Dyslexia at Transition’. The DVD, commissioned by the (then) Scottish Executive. The resource was launched in 2007 and provides examples of best practice to help schools to support the move of pupils with dyslexia from primary to secondary school.

3.1 Dyslexia

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Advances in medical science have enabled the identification of dyslexia to be understood in greater detail. Neuroscience research through brain imaging has identified diversity in the brain for adolescents and for those with dyslexia. Due to the body of research undertaken over the past few decades by a range of academic and medical researchers, there is an acceptance that when identified appropriately, dyslexia is a recognised learning difference and is the result of a neurological difference and is not a reflection of a learner’s level of intelligence or cognitive ability. The impact of dyslexia as a barrier to learning varies in degree according to the learning and teaching environment.

Frith, in Reid and Weamouth (2002) say dyslexia can be defined as neuro-developmental in nature, with a biological origin and behavioural signs which extend far beyond problems with written language.

In 1999, the American Journal of Neuroradiology, provided evidence that dyslexia is neurological in nature. The interdisciplinary team of University of Washington researchers also showed that dyslexic children use nearly five times the brain area as children who are not dyslexic while performing a simple language task.

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Figure 17 Brain Scan

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Although the images above were taken in 1999 they highlight very clearly the differences between areas of the brain which are activated while performing simple language tasks in yellow. Red indicates areas activated in two or more children. Pic: Todd Richards, University of Washington.

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"The dyslexics were using 4.6 times as much area of the brain to do the same language task as the controls," said Todd Richards, co-leader of the study. "This means their brains were working a lot harder and using more energy than the normal children". "People often don't see how hard it is for dyslexic children to do a task that others do so effortlessly," added Virginia Berninger, a professor of educational psychology.

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Morton & Frith (1993; 1995) developed a neutral framework for the causal modelling of developmental disorders and applied this modelling to dyslexia. The research highlights that dyslexia can be split into 3 main research areas, all of which inter- link and influence one another.

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Figure 18 Barriers to learning

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Neurological - Brain structure and genetic factors

Cognitive - How people learn

Behavioural - How people behave and their reactions to this learning difference

These are influenced by environmental interactions at all levels which include home, nursery, schools and activities. This means that the behaviour of a child with dyslexia would change with time and in different contexts.

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Figure 19 Dyslexia research areas

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3.2 The co–occurrence of dyslexia with other areas of additional support

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Module 1, Section 3.2 recap

The Scottish working definition of dyslexia is broad. As highlighted in section 1.1 of this module, dyslexia does not only impact on the acquisition of literacy skills. The different characteristics involved with dyslexia are also found in a wide range of learner profiles and areas of additional support.

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What is the impact?

It is undoubtedly challenging to meet all the needs of learners within a teacher’s class. However, using a range of multi-sensory learning and teaching approaches within a curriculum which is planned to be inclusive and accessible does bring benefits which support and can reduce the challenge.

Figure 20 and the table below highlights some examples of co-occurrence and some support strategies

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Figure 20 dyslexia and co-occurrence

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Activity 27

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The table below highlights some examples of support strategies. Could each strategy be appropriate for a range of additional support needs? Consider each strategy and write down the area of ASN whcih would be supported by them. Click ‘reveal’ to see some suggestions.

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Examples of support strategies
Personalised learning
Effective communication
Multi-sensory learning and teaching approaches
Visual time tables
Visual supports
Use of accessibility software e.g. text and speech recognition
Approaches to support language acquisition
Audio books
Accessible digital learning and teaching resources
Books for All
Digital exams

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End of Question

View answer - Activity 27

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3.3 Good practice for identification

A number of local authorities are using the identification pathway within their guidance and procedures to support dyslexia and inclusive practice. Listed below are examples of good practice which are supporting the improvements.

Clear guidelines which have been developed with the engagement and support of:
Teachers
Local authority staff
Parents
Learners
Guidelines are available and accessible to the local authority and school websites
Evidence that parents feel engaged and understand the identification process
Evidence that staff understand the identification process. This includes school management, probationers, supply and permanent teachers, a consistent approach for identification between primary and secondary sectors
Whole authority dissemination of the Toolkit and Module 1 – ‘Introduction to dyslexia and inclusive practice’

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Activity 28

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Which of the following statements do you think are true?

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Support teachers should be aware of the identification process and develop skills to support and identify dyslexia

If a local authority does not have a policy on Dyslexia then they are not supporting dyslexia.

The Addressing Dyslexia Toolkit has been designed specifically to support specialist support staff.

All staff should be able to access up to date information and guidance on dyslexia and inclusive practice.

Everyone has the skills and abilities to recognise early signs of dyslexia in children at all stages, and take appropriate action in response to support children and young people.

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Activity 29 Reflective practice task

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In your reflective log consider

What are the most appropriate teaching methods to support our dyslexic learners in reading and do they need alternative resources?
Should teachers in Scotland be required to participate in training to carry out the identification of dyslexia?
What are the approaches used in your school to support learners with literacy difficulties develop their skills and how does the school/ you know they have a positive impact?

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Now go to Educational contexts and current debates in policy, education and practice.

Activity 27

Answer

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Examples of support strategies / Some examples of ASN which can be supported
Personalised learning / Dyslexia
Autism spectrum
Visually impaired
English as an additional language
Visual impairment
Effective communication / Dyslexia
Autism spectrum
Visually impaired
English as an additional language
Visual impairment
Multi-sensory learning and teaching approaches / Dyslexia
Autism spectrum – if appropriate
Visually impaired
English as an additional language- (Initially)
Visual time tables / Dyslexia
Autism spectrum
English as an additional language- (Initially)
Visual supports / Dyslexia
Autism spectrum
Visually impaired
English as an additional language
Visual impairment
Use of accessibility software e.g. text and speech recognition / Dyslexia
Autism spectrum
Visually impaired
Approaches to support language acquisition / Dyslexia
Autism spectrum
English as an additional language- (Initially)
Audio books / Dyslexia
Autism spectrum
English as an additional language- (Initially)
Visually impaired
Accessible digital learning and teaching resources / Dyslexia
Autism spectrum
Visually impaired
Books for All / Dyslexia
Autism spectrum – if applicable
Visually impaired
Digital exams / Dyslexia
Autism spectrum
Visually impaired

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Back to Session 3 Activity 1

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Description

Generic image fro dyslexia within the modules and the Addressing Dyslexia Toolkit

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Figure 17 Brain Scan

Description

The image highlights differences in brain activity between dyslxic learners and learners who are not dyslexic.

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Figure 18 Barriers to learning

Description

This is diagram highlights the four factors which give rise to additional support needs

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Figure 19 Dyslexia research areas

Description

This diagram highlights the main areas of dyslexia research which are all influenced by the enviroment.

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Figure 20 dyslexia and co-occurrence

Description

This diagram highlights the range of support needs which co occur with dyslexia.

Back to Session 3 Figure 1

Page 1 of 2518th September 2017