Y.A.D.D.A. Thursday October 5th 2017 9.30am

Housekeeping Quiet space – accessible and open to use. Tea and coffee available all day No planned fire alarm. PLEASE ENJOY TODAY AND KEEP TALKING 

Who are we? Voluntary Group of parents –started in 2007 and currently support over 300+ families and individuals across the city. Affiliated Member of British Dyslexia Association Working in partnerships with the local council to improve services for children, young people and adults with dyslexia and SpLDs.

What do we want to achieve? Positive outcomes for children, young people and adults with SpLD. Real dialogue with schools, colleges, workplaces and other professionals. A change in mind-set – that being dyslexic and Neurodiverse is NOT about being a failure but that it does have unique challenges that early and appropriate assessment can alleviate .

How do we achieve this? NETWORK / PARTNERSHIP= SUCCESS. We run a support group and raise awareness through talks. We hosting family meetings – to build confidence. We run a befriending line – to deal with first step enquiries and signpost to other appropriate agencies. NETWORK / PARTNERSHIP= SUCCESS.

Who do we work with in York? City of York council- via SENDIASS Directly with : Primary schools Secondary schools. Colleges. Workplaces We also work alongside The York parent carer forum which involves working across the range of strategic services in York.

Dyslexia Dyslexia is very common. We know that is effects 1 in 10 people. In fact 22% of the population are impacted by neurodiversity issues. But it’s very misunderstood.

Myths about Dyslexia. True or false? People grow out of dyslexia Dyslexic people aren’t clever Dyslexia only affects someone's reading and spelling Dyslexia brings gifts as well difficulties Dyslexic people are successful!

People grow out of dyslexia… FALSE It is a life long condition – the difficulties can be managed but it can’t be cured People are born with dyslexia It is genetic, scientists have begun to identify ‘dyslexic genes’ and it often ‘runs in the family’ Biological/Neurological: brain is ‘wired’ differently Dyslexic people use their brains in a different way.. Which can be good!

Dyslexic people aren’t clever FALSE Dyslexic people are often bright and intelligent Einstein, Thomas Edison and were dyslexic Sadly many dyslexic people have been told they are stupid because they struggle with tasks others find simple

Dyslexia Only Affects Spelling and Writing FALSE Dyslexia is a neurodiversity which means that the brain processes information differently to others Dyslexia does effect reading and spelling It can make letters swim or jump around Make people confuse similar looking letters like p/d It can make it difficult to remember common letter patterns in spelling

Text can look like this

Dyslexia Can Also Affect Mental Arithmetic Struggle with doing sums in head But often good at higher level maths Time keeping Difficulty with concept of time (e.g. how long 5 mins actually is) Misjudges how long something will take Reading analogue clocks

Dyslexia Can Also Affect Organisational skills Difficulty remembering correct equipment/documents Struggles to keep things tidy Following directions Struggles with left and right Finds holding list of instructions in memory difficulty Difficulty reading or finding themselves on a map

Dyslexia Can Also Affect Rapid naming When trying to quickly name an object or person comes out with the wrong word. Takes longer to find the right word from memory Following instructions Working memory difficulties means can’t hold onto lots of instructions given at once Over 2-3 instructions and 4th or more falls of working memory “shelf”

Dyslexia brings gifts as well as difficulties TRUE Dyslexic people’s brains are wired differently meaning they approach things differently this can give different gifts such as: Inventive thinking Solving problems/entrepreneurial Creativity Good communicators Vivid imaginations Curiosity

Dyslexic people are successful TRUE Dyslexia provides many gifts and with reasonable adjustments and help shouldn’t be a barrier to success. Many places actively recruit dyslexic people because of their unique skills: GCHQ say many of their top code-breakers crack complex problems because of their dyslexia

Dyslexic people are successful Problem solving and entrepreneurial skills make dyslexic people very good business men Sir Alan Sugar and Richard Branson are dyslexic

Neurodiverse people are successful A different way of thinking can bring wonderful creative and artistic abilities Keira Knightly, Picasso, John Lennon and Lord Rogers (a renowned architect) are dyslexic Daniel Radcliffe has dyspraxia, Heston Blumenthal has ADHD.

Dyslexic people are successful Imagination and curiosity have helped many dyslexic people become inventors and scientists Henry Ford, Einstein and Thomas Edison were dyslexic

Why are you seeing more referrals? Awareness – but myths not facts. Starbucks case Confusion over 2014 SEND reforms Confusion over DSA applications

What can YADDA/ DSSY do to help? Bespoke support Awareness raising sessions “NOT FOR PROFIT”- screening/ assessment service - DSSY

Charities such as the British Dyslexia Association work hard with the government, schools and families to help people with dyslexia There is a lot of information on dyslexia on our website www.bdadyslexia.org.uk For advice you can call their National Dyslexia Helpline: 0845 251 9002