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© Quality Online Learning 2016 Introduction Support your dyslexic child Strategies for learning Strategies for independence Strategies for self-esteem Tools and professional support “Everybody is a genius, but if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.” Albert Einstein (probably dyslexic!) Course content What it is What it is not What to tell your child Understanding Dyslexia Dyslexia and your child Early problems explained What dyslexia does Impact on your child Supporting your child 1 2 3

© Quality Online Learning Understanding Dyslexia What is dyslexia? Might be present with other SpLDs: Dyspraxia Dysgraphia Dyscalculia Dyslexia is a Specific Learning Difficulty (SpLD) Causes difficulties in: Reading Writing Language Maths Affects: Processing information Sound and visual perception Sequencing Short-term memory Organisational skills Spoken language Neurological disorder: Brain physically different Cannot be cured Can overcome dyslexia to succeed No ‘typical’ dyslexic – difficulties unique

© Quality Online Learning 2016 How does this make you feel? Use your workbook to write down your thoughts and feelings right now

© Quality Online Learning 2016 Understanding Dyslexia What is dyslexia not Dyslexia ≠ Creative! Dyslexics might be creative but “creative” jobs aren’t all they can do. Dyslexics are also doctors, lawyers, scientists and entrepreneurs. Dyslexia is not:  Lazy or stupid  A learning disability  The kind of person you are

© Quality Online Learning Understanding Dyslexia What you can do Talk to your child

© Quality Online Learning 2016 Dyslexia and your child Early signs of dyslexia Walking before they can crawl Mixing up words “bad” and “good” days Struggle with directions Can’t tell left from right “Beddy Tair” Dyslexia obvious persistent

© Quality Online Learning 2016 Dyslexia and your child Difficulties dyslexics face Symptoms:  poor spelling  poor reading comprehension  low vocabulary  untidy handwriting  short attention spans  disruptive behaviour  unable to follow directions What’s the cause? Visual perception:  Skip lines and words  Blurred writing  Back-to-front letters  Moving text  Confusion between similar letters werful-images-show-what-its-like-to-read-when-you-have-dyslexia/

© Quality Online Learning 2016 Phonological difficulties Manipulating the sounds of words Spelling: letters sound the same Mix up similar-sounding words Can’t hear separate sounds in words Can’t remember sequences – letters in wrong order Struggle with rhyme Forget words

© Quality Online Learning 2016 Auditory processing “hearing dyslexia”  Can’t remember lists of instructions  Hard to concentrate on sounds  Can’t focus if there’s background noise  Can’t listen and take notes at once

© Quality Online Learning 2016 Dyslexia and your child The effect on your child How do you think this makes her feel? Problems:  Can’t remember what’s been said  Reads slowly  Forgets easily  Makes more mistakes  Finds learning difficult  Can’t hear if there’s background noise Effects:  Odd-one out  Feels stupid and lazy, not good enough  Loses interest in school  Poor social skills  Frustration  Exhaustion

© Quality Online Learning 2016 Dyslexia and your child What can you do Find out more about your child

© Quality Online Learning 2016 Assessment 1 Insert the assessment for sections one and two

© Quality Online Learning 2016 Supporting your child Developing strategies Make learning easier Encourage independence Encourage persistence Boost self-esteem “Being dyslexic at school meant that I always liked to sit behind someone who wrote big.” - Richard Branson Match strategies to your child’s needs Strategies:

© Quality Online Learning 2016 Strategies For learning

© Quality Online Learning 2016 Strategies for Learning Use visuals Visualise words: 6/12/dyslexia-or-right-brained-dominant/ Or tricky spellings:

© Quality Online Learning 2016 Strategies for Learning Use sound Wensdy ? “Wed – nes – day” Read aloud  Push their boundaries  Ask them to summarise N ever E at W ild S quid Spelling Use Mnemonics

© Quality Online Learning 2016 Strategies for Learning Movement and touch Multi-sensory learning brings words to life Kinaesthetic awareness: your body’s position in space Hel i cop ter Draw letter shapes with fingers Feel shape of cut-out letters Touch-typing will improve grades Tap out syllables

© Quality Online Learning 2016 Strategies for Learning Improve and concentration Manage fatigue:  Short bursts  One paragraph at a time  Take over reading  Take plenty of breaks Concentration problems:  Loss of interest  Fatigue Encourage interest:  Read to your child  Talk about the book o Which way is up o Which direction to read o Trace the words  Encourage their interests

© Quality Online Learning 2016 Strategies for Learning What will you try with your child?

© Quality Online Learning 2016 Strategies for Learning For independence Study skills Dyslexia never goes away! Strategies for: organisation Memory O M S

© Quality Online Learning 2016 Strategies for Learning Organisation Avoid overwhelm: Create routines Be consistent Physical organisation: A place for everything Colour-coding Prepare for next day and place bag by the door Homework: Written instructions Ask classmates for homework Establish a routine

© Quality Online Learning 2016 Strategies for Learning Study skills Reading:  Coloured highlighter pens Prepare for homework:  Read instructions together  Check for understanding  Practice together  Organise ideas Use a computer:  Touch-typing (kinaesthetic)  Spell-checker

© Quality Online Learning 2016 Strategies for Independence Which can you use?

© Quality Online Learning 2016 “The biggest problem with dyslexic kids is not the perceptual problem, it is their perception of themselves. That was my biggest problem.” - Bruce Jenner Athlete Supporting your child The most important job of all Be there for them Tell your child:  They’re not lazy or stupid  About their condition  About famous and successful dyslexics  They can do anything they want Help them succeed Recognise their strengths

© Quality Online Learning 2016 Supporting your child Who else can help? Teachers Teaching Assistants SENCo

© Quality Online Learning 2016 Supporting your child COURSE SUMMARY Dyslexia:  Specific Learning Difficulty  poor spelling and reading comprehension  low vocabulary  untidy handwriting  short attention span  disruptive behaviour  unable to follow directions Strategies for Independence:  Organisation Avoid overwhelm Physical organisation Homework  Memory Chunking Association Visualisation  Study skills Prepare for homework Spell-check Highlighter pens Strategies for learning:  Visuals  Sound  Movement and touch  Improve concentration Engage interest Manage fatigue What else you can do: Boost self esteem Ask teachers to help Caused by difficulties with:  Visual perception  Phonological awareness  Auditory perception Your child:  Low self-esteem  Loses interest in school  Poor social skills  Frustration  Exhaustion

© Quality Online Learning 2016 Assessment 2 Insert the assessment for sections one and two