Liz Dunoon Presents. Creating a Dyslexia Friendly Classroom. Author of Helping Children With Dyslexia

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1 Liz Dunoon Presents Creating a Dyslexia Friendly Classroom Author of Helping Children With Dyslexia 21 Super Strategies to ensure your Child s Success At School Creator of the free resource website Facilitator of the dyslexia lobby website Creator of The Ten Minute Tutor Education Resources Department of Education and Early Childhood Development Students With Disabilities Lots of links to resources here Review of funding for Schooling Final Report Your School, Our Future Includes a fact sheet on Help For Students With A Disability The Schools Disability Advisory Council

2 Positive Education Planning A successful year at school requires planning and input from parents and a positive approach towards including children with a disability by everyone involved in your child's education. Our Positive Education Planning booklet includes parent stories and information on the following topics: Parents and schools: Developing positive partnerships, The Student Support Group, Understanding your child as a learner, Individual Learning Plans, Setting goals, Supports for students with a disability, Measuring your child's progress, Raising a concern, and Advocating for your child. Copies are available free to families and schools. Service providers and professionals can also order multiple copies free of charge to give to families. A postage charge applies for bulk orders. Order form VCCA - Exam Accommodations for students with LD Download the handbook here and familiarise your self with its contents when advocating on behalf of your students. NAPLAN Accommodations for students with LD ex.html Download National Protocols and Special Provisions for Students with LD Resources To Get Your School Thinking About The Best Way To Support Students With dyslexia Must see DVD Available from SPELD or most LD Specialists Understanding Learning Disabilities How Difficult Can This Be? The F.A.T. City Workshop Richard D Lavoie The Australian Dyslexia Association Have developed a Dyslexia Friendly Schools Initiative See more at this link and contact them for further information Schools%20Initiative.pdf

3 The British Dyslexia Association The Accreditation Board underpins the highest level work of the BDA within educational terms. Accreditation through this Board is recognised as the accolade in teacher training internationally and is held in high regard by UK government bodies. All courses and individuals seeking accreditation must have their application approved by the Accreditation Board. To do this they must meet rigorous criteria at AMBDA or ATS level, or their FE/HE equivalents. Dyslexia Friendly Practice is central to the BDA's work and the 'Quality Mark' is the BDA's standard which reflects this. The BDA believes that changing practice to accommodate dyslexic individuals often results in good practice for everyone. Dyslexia Friendly Schools Pack Includes links to the booklet and the ICT supplement mark- and- accreditation.htm The New Zealand Dyslexia Foundation and 4D Since official recognition of dyslexia in 2007 by the Ministry of Education and several years of effort around developing a mainstream understanding, the DFNZ's ongoing work is focused on helping people make simple changes to improve the learning, living and working environments for New Zealanders with dyslexia. A big focus of our ongoing activity is the DFNZ 4D program, which provides guidance on how to make these types of changes. The program is based on a "notice and adjust" approach - encouraging teachers, parents and employers to notice where issues are occurring and adjust the environment, teaching or working style to allow people to reach their full potential. The 4D name extends the common perception of three dimensions and likens the fourth dimension to the dyslexic way of thinking that can bring creative gifts along with some learning challenges. You can download a 40 page document here, which provides a guide for making schools more dyslexia friendly Screening for Dyslexia Lucid Rapid mins to Administer Ages 4-15 Swift Objective and Accurate indication of Dyslexia Lucid CoPS Computer based

4 Video demo Talking to Parents, Educators and Specialists about LD My book and website are a good starting point. Document and Date observations Demand 1-2 page summaries of educational and diagnostic reports written in layman s terms from specialists Liaise with the student, parents, other teachers, school hierarchy, other students in the class, educational departments and government bodies Formulate a short term and long term strategies Get support structures and accommodations in place ASAP Identifying a Student s preferred Learning Style Multiple Intelligence Linguistic intelligence -- sensitivity to the meaning of words, grammar rules and the function of language as in speaking and writing an essay; Musical intelligence -- ability to hear tones, rhythms and musical patterns, pitch and timbre, as in composing a symphony; Logical / mathematical intelligence -- ability to see relationships between objects and solve problems, as in calculus and engineering; Visual / Spatial intelligence -- ability to perceive and mimic objects in different forms or contexts, as in miming or impressionist painting; Bodily / kinaesthetic intelligence -- using the body, perceptual and motor systems in the brain to solve a problem, as in catching a ball; Intrapersonal intelligence -- ability to be insightful, understand and define inner feelings, as in poetry and therapy. Interpersonal intelligence -- sensitivity to the actions, moods and feelings of others, as in teaching, parenting and politicking. More reading at

5 Proven Strategies for Teaching Students With Dyslexia Is the child motivated? Remove barriers hindering their success - Negative Influences - Reduced expectations (inability to access extension classes) - Low self- esteem and doubt - Lack of understanding from educators and peers - Inability to access curriculum content Coach them to be insightful and to advocate on their own behalf - Find positive influences and focus on strengths - Seek assessment, set aspirations and goals (short term and long term) - Provide inclusive systems/technology - Positive self- esteem and resilience - Locate a person that can mentor, offer personal assistance Assess their strengths to provide effective strategies to overcome weaknesses - Make the programs age appropriate - Use scientifically proven programs - Consider brain- training research - Monitor programs to ensure suitability and progress - Use technology (consider freeware) As an educator you need to know when to stop trying to remediate. For students to really shine it is often necessary to allow them to put all their energies into what they can do well. More Resources to Consider on my Website Dyslexia Associations Dyslexia Success Stories/YouTube clips Educational Programs, Websites, Free Resources and Technology Teaching Strategies for Students with Dyslexia

6 Free Information Sheets Free Teaching and Learning Worksheets Free Speed Training Exercises Recommended Books for Students, Parents and Educators News and Media Research and Reports Dyslexia Research Organisations and Campaigners..AND MORE