Specific Learning Difficulties

Dyslexia

Dyslexia is a specific learning difficulty which affects reading and writing skills (BDA, 2010).

Organisations and Support:

Dyslexia Action: Dyslexia Action are a national dyslexia charity with 40 years’ experience in providing support to people with literacy and numeracy difficulties, dyslexia and other specific learning difficulties.

British Dyslexia Association: The BDA has been the voice of dyslexic people since 1972. They are a membership organisation working to achieve a dyslexia-friendly society for all.

Dyslexia Action: Dyslexia Action is a leading provider of specialist teacher training/practitioner training and specialist teacher/practitioner assessor training.

Dyslexia Herts: Dyslexia Herts provide advice and support to children, young people and adults with Dyslexia and other learning differences and their families.

Herts Dyslexia: Herts Dyslexia provide support through meetings which are a good opportunity to share experiences for all dyslexics and for those who have an interest in dyslexia, and information – HDA can tell you where to go to get further advice on assessment and tuition and provide you with literature and information on dyslexia.

Specific Learning Difficulties Team: There is a Specific Learning Difficulties Team in Hertfordshire who are qualified in assessing and working with pupils who have specific learning difficulties (SpLD). ISL also have a specific learning difficulties school helpline.

The Dyslexia-SpLD Trust: The Trust aims to ensure that in order for children with Dyslexia SpLD to succeed in school there is: A focus on high quality teaching practices by all teacher; access to specialist teachers and resources; early intervention and early action for those at greatest risk of failing; acceptance of the importance of Dyslexia/SpLD as a major contributor to educational under achievement and a strong risk factor for limited life opportunities.

The Association of Dyslexia Specialists in Higher Education: ADSHE, The Association of Dyslexia Specialists in Higher Education, is the professional association of and for specialists who work in Higher Education. It was founded in 2001 and aims to promote and disseminate knowledge on all aspects of neuro-diverse teaching and learning in this context to promote inclusive learning environments.

The Dyslexia Guild: The Dyslexia Guild aims to promote discussion, information and research as well as keeping members informed of developments in the field through publication and distribution.

ADHD Foundation: The ADHD Foundation Neurodiversity Charity is an integrated health and education service offering a unique lifespan – strength based service, for the 1 in 5 people who live with ADHD, Autism, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, Dyscalculia and Tourette’s syndrome.

Resources:

Herts SpLD outreach Literacy assessments
- Baseline word reading and spelling
- Phonological skills
- Reading book band level or PM benchmark

SpLD Contactline
NESSY dyslexia test for age 5-7
GL Dyslexia assessments
- Dyslexia Screener
- LASS Dyslexia (£250/year)

Nessy Dyslexia screener (starts £10/year)
CTOPP (comprehensive test of phonological processing) can be borrowed from the DSPL7 assessment tools library

- See dyslexia differently Youtube video by the British Dyslexia Association
- What is dyslexia? TED-Ed video by Kelli Sandman-Hurley
- Life with Dyslexia: Sophie’s story video by BBC Teach
- Dyslexia and Back to School video by the British Dyslexia Association
- Understanding Dyslexia and the Reading Brain in Kids
- A dyslexic author’s writing tips for dyslexic kids – Article from The Guardian

Dyspraxia

Dyspraxia is a disorder which affects gross motor coordination so can cause difficulties in areas such as education, work and employment (The Dyspraxia Foundation, 2020). Verbal Dyspraxia specifically affects a child’s ability to produce clear speech (The Communication Trust, 2012).

Organisations and Support:

The Dyspraxia Foundation: The Foundation seeks every opportunity to increase understanding of Dyspraxia, particularly among professionals in health and education and encourages its local groups to do the same. They also have a helpline offering help and advice to people with dyspraxia, parents, carers, and families about or on the subject of dyspraxia.

Dyspraxia Foundation Youth: Dyspraxia Youth aims to provide support to young people (13-25 year olds) that have Dyspraxia/DCD across the UK. We aim to improve the amount of educational information provided to young people with Dyspraxia.

Dyspraxia UK: Dyspraxia UK provides assessments and diagnosis for children and adults, and is the UK specialist in this field of occupational therapy.

Movement Matters UK: Movement Matters is the UK umbrella organisation representing the major national groups concerned with children and adults with coordination difficulties, a condition called Developmental Coordination Disorder (or DCD) and sometimes referred to as ‘dyspraxia’.

Dyspraxic Teen Forum: An online website dedicated to Dyspraxic teenagers.

The Communication Trust: The Communication Trust is a coalition of over 50 not-for-profit organisations. Working together they support everyone who works with children and young people in England to support their speech, language and communication.

ADHD Foundation: The ADHD Foundation Neurodiversity Charity is an integrated health and education service offering a unique lifespan – strength based service, for the 1 in 5 people who live with ADHD, Autism, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, Dyscalculia and Tourette’s syndrome.