What is it?What is it?

Dyslexia comes from the Greek word Dyslexia comes from the Greek word meaning difficulty with words.meaning difficulty with words.

MeaningMeaning??

Dys lexia

Difficult. Word.

Difficulty with words.

But its just not that!!!Difficulty with reading.

Difficulty with Spelling.

Difficulty with memory.

Difficulty with numbers.

Difficulty with time management.

Difficulty withconfidence.

DyslexiaDyslexia isis……

‘‘A specific learning difference which is A specific learning difference which is neurological in origin and may, for a given neurological in origin and may, for a given level of ability, cause unexpected difficulties level of ability, cause unexpected difficulties in the acquisition of certain literacy and in the acquisition of certain literacy and numeracy skills.numeracy skills.’’

Some Dyslexics have outstanding creative Some Dyslexics have outstanding creative skills. Others have strong oral skills. They all skills. Others have strong oral skills. They all have strengths. have strengths.

Dyslexia can occur despite normal Dyslexia can occur despite normal intellectual ability and teaching. intellectual ability and teaching.

Dyslexia Affects…Dyslexia Affects… All races, gender, sexuality, nationality, ages All races, gender, sexuality, nationality, ages

(does not diminish with age).(does not diminish with age).

No-one is exempt.No-one is exempt.

Usually more males are identified, as they Usually more males are identified, as they are easier to identify and recognise the signs are easier to identify and recognise the signs of Dyslexia in. of Dyslexia in.

Some Dyslexics tend to develop good coping Some Dyslexics tend to develop good coping strategies from an early age and disguise it strategies from an early age and disguise it well.well.

Coping with Dyslexia…Coping with Dyslexia… No cure for Dyslexics just coping strategies/ No cure for Dyslexics just coping strategies/

things that help them.things that help them.

Dyslexia is not just one thing, it is a combination Dyslexia is not just one thing, it is a combination of difficulties and problems in many areas of difficulties and problems in many areas including literacy (reading, writing, spelling) and including literacy (reading, writing, spelling) and numeracy, as well as other things like numeracy, as well as other things like organisation, processing, memory, confidence organisation, processing, memory, confidence and coordination.and coordination.

An understanding of these difficulties and An understanding of these difficulties and problems allows us to put effective and problems allows us to put effective and appropriate support in place to help people.appropriate support in place to help people.

Dyslexia is…Dyslexia is… Dyslexia is hereditary passed on through generations Dyslexia is hereditary passed on through generations

of the family.of the family.

10% of the population are Dyslexic in the UK, 4% are 10% of the population are Dyslexic in the UK, 4% are deemed severely Dyslexic.deemed severely Dyslexic.

4% of HE/ FE students are Dyslexic.4% of HE/ FE students are Dyslexic.

50% of the prison population are Dyslexic.50% of the prison population are Dyslexic.

Each persons Dyslexia is like a thumb print ~ all Each persons Dyslexia is like a thumb print ~ all different and unique to that person.different and unique to that person.

Problems associated with Problems associated with Dyslexia…Dyslexia…

Do not have a good short term memory.Do not have a good short term memory. Reading.Reading. Writing.Writing. Spelling.Spelling. Maths.Maths. Confidence.Confidence. Dexterity.Dexterity. Sequencing.Sequencing. Visual problems.Visual problems. Lateral thinking.Lateral thinking. Self esteem/ bad attitude.Self esteem/ bad attitude. Attention span.Attention span. A confident Dyslexic will learn more than someone A confident Dyslexic will learn more than someone

with a low self esteem.with a low self esteem.

What are Dyslexics good at…What are Dyslexics good at… Thinking out of the box.Thinking out of the box. Planning.Planning. Holistic thinking.Holistic thinking. Visual and auditory aspects.Visual and auditory aspects. Innovated.Innovated. Motivated by experiences.Motivated by experiences. Risk takers ~ do not mind failing.Risk takers ~ do not mind failing. Determined.Determined. Focused.Focused. Good leaders.Good leaders. Good at delegating.Good at delegating. Creative.Creative. They are usually millionaires!! They are usually millionaires!!

Learning Styles…Learning Styles… ““If a student cannot learn in the way we teach them, If a student cannot learn in the way we teach them,

we need to teach them in the way they learn.we need to teach them in the way they learn.””

As the pathway to the memory is through As the pathway to the memory is through the senses, the more senses that are used the senses, the more senses that are used at one time, the more direct and powerful at one time, the more direct and powerful the learning. the learning.

It helps if Dyslexics can listen to things, It helps if Dyslexics can listen to things, visualise things, smell things, taste and visualise things, smell things, taste and touch items. It helps them to learn better touch items. It helps them to learn better in the style that suits them more.in the style that suits them more.

Note we remember 90 % of what we read, Note we remember 90 % of what we read, hear, see, say AND do. This is the most hear, see, say AND do. This is the most effective way of learning for all students.effective way of learning for all students.

Dyspraxia…Dyspraxia… Is an impairment or severe difficulty in the planning and Is an impairment or severe difficulty in the planning and

organisation of physical movement.organisation of physical movement.

It is difficulty with fine motor skills, catching a ball, tying shoe It is difficulty with fine motor skills, catching a ball, tying shoe laces and movement.laces and movement.

It can be known as ‘clumsy child syndrome’ as they are know to be It can be known as ‘clumsy child syndrome’ as they are know to be ‘clumsy’, fall over a lot and bump into things.‘clumsy’, fall over a lot and bump into things.

They can have very messy handwriting, find it difficult to hold They can have very messy handwriting, find it difficult to hold pens/ pencils, have poor organisation and time management skills.pens/ pencils, have poor organisation and time management skills.

They find it difficult to learn to crawl, sit and walk.They find it difficult to learn to crawl, sit and walk.

Dyscalculia…Dyscalculia… Specific disability with maths that prevents the learners Specific disability with maths that prevents the learners

from acquiring basic mathematical skills, processes, from acquiring basic mathematical skills, processes, terms and symbols. terms and symbols.

A person with this condition will have lower maths ability A person with this condition will have lower maths ability than would be expected from their age, intelligence and than would be expected from their age, intelligence and education.education.

Leaners find it difficult to calculate, reason Leaners find it difficult to calculate, reason mathematically, use maths strategy and easily confuse mathematically, use maths strategy and easily confuse and reverse numbers and symbols.and reverse numbers and symbols.

It is also compounded by deficits in working memory and It is also compounded by deficits in working memory and processing difficulties.processing difficulties.

ADD/ ADHD…ADD/ ADHD… Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity

Disorder (ADHD) is a condition where learners experience extreme Disorder (ADHD) is a condition where learners experience extreme difficulties in maintaining attention or concentration, they have difficulties in maintaining attention or concentration, they have difficulties with impulse control and difficulties in controlling motor difficulties with impulse control and difficulties in controlling motor activity.activity.

They are often restless, talkative, off-task, easily distractive, fail to They are often restless, talkative, off-task, easily distractive, fail to complete set tasks or activities that are finished can be of poor quality.complete set tasks or activities that are finished can be of poor quality.

They fail to adhere to routines and rules and fail to meet expectations.They fail to adhere to routines and rules and fail to meet expectations.

Severe cases of this condition are regulated through medication which Severe cases of this condition are regulated through medication which helps improve attention span, control impulsivity and reduce excessive helps improve attention span, control impulsivity and reduce excessive motor activity.motor activity.

Asperger's Syndrome…Asperger's Syndrome… This is part of the Autism Spectrum. It is a development This is part of the Autism Spectrum. It is a development

condition with no cure, although there are interventions which condition with no cure, although there are interventions which lesson its effects.lesson its effects.

Common characteristics are: -Common characteristics are: - It is a failure to communicate effectively.It is a failure to communicate effectively. Poor social interaction. Poor social interaction. Very literal.Very literal. Apparent lack of empathy.Apparent lack of empathy. Poor social imagination (working out other people’s thoughts).Poor social imagination (working out other people’s thoughts). Intense absorption in a special interest or a developed Intense absorption in a special interest or a developed

obsession.obsession. Problems with change.Problems with change.

Irlen Syndrome…Irlen Syndrome…

Refers to a syndrome or difficulty with processing light Refers to a syndrome or difficulty with processing light efficiently enough to be able to read. Also called word efficiently enough to be able to read. Also called word blindness.blindness.

Recommended treatment is tinted lenses, coloured Recommended treatment is tinted lenses, coloured overlays, coloured paper and coloured backgrounds on overlays, coloured paper and coloured backgrounds on the boards when going through presentations. the boards when going through presentations.

These colours are usually the ‘learners specific colour’ These colours are usually the ‘learners specific colour’ and this is usually pastel shades – cream, yellow, blue, and this is usually pastel shades – cream, yellow, blue, green, pink, purple.green, pink, purple.

Individuals then claim it stops the visual distortion effects Individuals then claim it stops the visual distortion effects and improves reading.and improves reading.

Co-Morbidity…Co-Morbidity…

This is where learners have several conditions or This is where learners have several conditions or specific learning difficulties, so basically it is the specific learning difficulties, so basically it is the presence of one or more disorders.presence of one or more disorders.

The other SpLD’s they have are usually masked by The other SpLD’s they have are usually masked by their primary one.their primary one.

For example, a learner with Dyslexia often has For example, a learner with Dyslexia often has Dyspraxia but because their Dyslexic difficulties Dyspraxia but because their Dyslexic difficulties prevail their Dyspraxic traits are masked/ hidden/ prevail their Dyspraxic traits are masked/ hidden/ less obvious.less obvious.