m/dyslexia-video/ Experiences of some high flying American adults being Dyslexic (4 minute video)

The Disabled Staff Network We would like to invite any disabled staff or staff interested in disability to join the network. Monday 10th November 2014 in 3A022a between 12:00 – 14:00

More Than Words Sandie Hargreaves Specialist Dyslexia, (SpLD),Adviser UWE

My Aim ….. To encourage an insight into the nature of Dyslexia (and other SpLD’s) To explode a few myths To highlight positive qualities and strengths To identify reasonable adjustments and support

Specific Learning Difficulties (SpLDs) Dyslexia Dyspraxia/DCD Dyscalculia ADHD Asperger’s Syndrome Visual Stress/ Irlens Syndrome 5

Dyslexia Very common affects 1 in 10 You probably know someone with it It is very misunderstood

People grow out of it.... Lifelong condition – difficulties managed not cured “Dyslexic Genes”- can run in families Physiological / Neurological – “Brain wired up differently” Therefore, People with dyslexia use their brains in a different way.

The future Engineer

People with dyslexic are not very bright …. Many people with dyslexia have been told that they are stupid because they struggle with things that others find easy such as spelling

Some experiences shared of being dyslexic Conference on Dyslexia and Talent April 19-21, 2013, DyslexicAdvantage.org (Video approx. 4minutes) 6T2aj-C_JIo

Other people who are NOT STUPID! Albert Einstein Thomas Edison Leonardo da Vinci Picasso Richard Branson Alan Sugar Steven Spielberg … to name but a few!

Dyslexia can cause low self-esteem and create feelings of anxiety/depression, especially in situation where literacy, and possibly numeracy, skills are required

Dyslexia only affects reading and writing …. However reading and writing can be affected People can confuse similar looking letters like p d b q m n u w Common letter patterns in spelling can be difficult to remember Letters can appear distorted The brain processes information differently to others

Dyslexia Memory Motor Control ReadingSpelling Speaking and Listening Writing Spatial/ Temporal Difficulties with…

Dyslexia Memory Motor Control Spatial/ Temporal Sequencing information times tables, alphabetical order, months of the year Organisation & planning thoughts and ideas, managing workload, Memory dates, messages, verbal instruction Motor control handwriting, clumsiness, lack of spatial awareness, difficulty copying Spatial/temporal time, left/right confusion, gets lost easily. In numeracy – mixing up symbols and calculations

Dyslexia SpellingWriting Can’t remember what words look like Difficulty hearing sounds Similar sounds and similar shape of letters can cause confusion Difficulty getting ideas onto paper Punctuation, grammar and structure can be weak Can’t find the right word May use simpler vocabulary that is easier to spell Editing and proof reading work can cause difficulties

Dyslexia Speaking and Listening Verbal expression and understanding Sequencing thoughts into words Word finding difficulties Word pronunciation / word confusion Find background noise very distracting

Dyslexia Reading Difficulty hearing the sounds within words Reversing letters, words and numbers Reading speed, accuracy and comprehension Copying text Losing place in text Visual disturbances

Some examples of Visual Distortion

Kara Toynton’s experience of Dyslexia (2.28 minutes video) AQ&list=FLg5rU3KzOWb-KbwQ1JI512g

The Strengths of a Dyslexic MIND Material / Spatial Reasoning Interconnected Reasoning Narrative Reasoning Dynamic Reasoning

Material Spatial Reasoning Some people can describe a virtual 3D environment in the mind. They can also see how objects are connected and interact with each other. Children with these strengths often will love LEGO and KNEX construction toys and can build really impressive structures without the need to follow instructions. Occupations where these strengths are most useful include – designers, mechanics, engineers, surgeons, radiologists, electricians, plumbers, builders, architects, dentists, graphic designers

Tiffany Coletti Titolo, Advertising Managing Director: dyslexic but with strengths in Interconnected and dynamic reasoning. Conference on Dyslexia and Talent April 19-21, 2013, DyslexicAdvantage.org

Episodic Memory is ….. a more personal memory related to events, episodes or experiences Some Famous Narrative Thinkers Richard Ford - Independence Day Anne Rice - Interview with a vampire Lynda La Plant - Prime Suspect Robert Benton - Kramer V Kramer Agatha Christie Steven Spielberg - Film maker

Reasonable Adjustments ….. Are modifications /changes that remove barriers to learning Can be reasonably put in place Will make a huge difference to the person with an SpLD It is a legal requirement The aim of a reasonable adjustment is to ….. LEVEL THE PLAYING FIELD!

Assistive Technology is Key … MindView ClaroRead Digital Voice Recorder Audio Note Taker

It is a Disability ….. The Office for Disability Issues HM Government (Equality Act 2010) The Act states that:- a)A person has a physical or mental impairment, and b)the impairment has a substantial and long term negative effect on the person’s ability to carry out normal day- to – day activities.

At UWE ….. The Social Model of Disability has been adopted - this is where disadvantage is caused by the way that society is organised As it does not discriminate against people with impairments or exclude them from full participation or involvement. Disclosure brings an entitlement to: reasonable adjustments

Disclosure ….. I have dyslexia….. It affects me in these ways….. These are the strategies I use to manage them….. However, my strengths are ….. …..and this is why you need me in your team!!

Therefore ….. The more Dyslexia Friendly the environment, The less will be the need to make reasonable adjustments….. ….. and will benefit ALL

I hope we have ….. Given an insight into the nature of Dyslexia (and other SpLD’s) Exploded a few myths Highlighted positive qualities and strengths Identified reasonable adjustments and support