Working definition of dyslexia: Cross Party Group on Dyslexia 18 November 2008 November 19, 2008
Posted by Hilery Williams in : Curriculum, Dyslexia, Literacy , add a commentThe following working definition of dyslexia has been produced by the Cross Party Group on Dyslexia in the Scottish Parliament in collaboration with a range of stakeholders including the voluntary agencies, taking account of the earlier version produced by the Scottish Government. This is one of many definitions available. The aim of this particular working definition is to provide a description of the range of indicators and characteristics of dyslexia as helpful guidance for educational practitioners, pupils, parents/carers and others. This definition does not have any statutory basis.
Dyslexia can be described as a continuum of difficulties in learning to read, write and/or spell, which does not respond well to conventional teaching techniques. These difficulties often do not reflect an individual’s cognitive ability and are often not typical of performance in other areas.
The impact of dyslexia as a barrier to learning varies in degree according to the learning environment and the demands of the curriculum as there are associated difficulties such as:
· auditory and /or visual processing of language-based information
· phonological awareness
· oral language skills and reading fluency
· short-term and working memory
· sequencing and directionality
· number skills
· organisational ability
Motor skills and co-ordination are often affected.
Dyslexia exists in all cultures and across the range of abilities and socio-economic backgrounds. It is neurological in origin; a hereditary, life-long condition. Unidentified, dyslexia is likely to result in low self esteem, high stress, atypical behaviour, and low achievement.
Early identification, appropriate intervention and targeted effective teaching will allow learners with dyslexia to become successful learners, confident individuals, effective contributors and responsible citizens.
Gene link to poor reading skills October 1, 2008
Posted by Hilery Williams in : Dyslexia , add a commenthttp://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/7643760.stm
A common genetic variant may be partly to blame for poor reading ability, research suggests.
The variant, carried by more than one in seven people, has already been associated with dyslexia.
Tests by the University of Oxford found people carrying the key sequence tended to perform worse than average in tests of their reading ability. But the study, published in the American Journal of Psychiatry, found no impact on general intelligence. Professor Margaret Snowling, vice president of the British Dyslexia Association, said other genes and environmental factors probably also played a key role in determining reading ability. And she stressed that some people were able to compensate and go on to successful careers even though they carried the gene variation.
Modern Languages and Dyslexia September 2, 2008
Posted by Hilery Williams in : Access, Curriculum, Dyslexia, inclusion , add a commentI had an interesting meeting at a high school last week with the parents of a boy who has just started S1. They felt that his dyslexic difficulties meant he should be withdrawn from French and he should receive extra tuition in English language skills.
I re-read a couple of excellent papers by Margaret Crombie, (Cognition and Learning Difficulties and Foreign Language Learning and Dyslexia), before dipping into LT Scotland’s superb resource, Maximising Potential. I also referred to Moira Thomson’s work for Dyslexia Scotland, Supporting Dyslexic Pupils in the Secondary School.
While all are agreed that foreign language learning presents young people with difficulties unique challenges, it is also the case that they have a right to be exposed to a different language and culture.
The conclusion we came to at the meeting was that the student should be able to access a variety of learning experiences, with a multi-sensory, cumulative focus, with an emphasis on talking and listening. He should have to write in French only rarely. When I have worked with teachers in MFL departments I have often been struck by their ability to make learning fun, to motivate young people with games and technology, to appeal to all different learning styles. They seem to know that variety is the spice of learning!
More on Dore June 2, 2008
Posted by Hilery Williams in : Dyslexia , 2commentsBad Science » Dore - the media’s miracle cure for dyslexia
A fascinating article (and many comments) around the demise of the DDAT/Dore programme by Ben Goldacre, a medical doctor who writes for The Guardian, the BMJ and more on pseudoscience and medicine in culture.
Equally interesting is his discussion of the place of blogging in challenging spurious claims. Goldacre writes: I think the most fascinating thing about this story is that the mainstream media has been so fawning, encouraging people to part with their cash even as the programme was going under, while the bloggers have been dissecting the scientific evidence, even dissecting the accounts, predicting the financial problems, and reporting on events as they happen.
So far - and I think I should start keeping a proper score here - that’s mainstream media 0, bloggers 10.
21st century learning in action!
Dyslexia ‘cure’ centres shut down May 30, 2008
Posted by Hilery Williams in : Dyslexia , add a commenthttp://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/7425743.stm
The BBC reports that thirteen UK centres offering controversial treatment for people with dyslexia have been shut down due to financial difficulties.
The Dore programme claimed exercises such as tying knots and balancing on “wobble boards” stimulated parts of the brain and improved reading and writing. Some 30,000 children and adults have enrolled on the programme since 2000.
Well, well. Are we allowed a certain amount of schadenfreude? Or is that unprofessional?
Review of dyslexia provision for children announced (England) May 7, 2008
Posted by Hilery Williams in : Dyslexia , add a commenthttp://education.guardian.co.uk/schools/story/0,,2278140,00.html
The Guardian reports that ministers have announced a major review of the way 300,000 children with dyslexia are taught in state schools.
The children’s secretary, Ed Balls, has asked Sir Jim Rose, the former Ofsted inspector, to look at dyslexia provision in schools as part of his review of the primary curriculum.
Rose’s 2006 reading review led to the controversial introduction of synthetic phonics to teach reading in all schools.
Graphic novels draw in reluctant readers May 2, 2008
Posted by Hilery Williams in : Access, Curriculum, Dyslexia, Resources, reading , 2commentsTESS reports on a recent continuing professional development session on using comics in the classroom by Dr Mel Gibson.
Ever considered using Viz’s Fat Slags to spark a class debate about gender representation? What about using Jackie to teach history? Or juxtaposing Japanese manga and Shakespeare? No?
In all likelihood, neither had teachers gathered at the National Library of Scotland, in Edinburgh, until they attended a recent continuing professional development session on using comics in the classroom by Dr Mel Gibson – or Dr Mel Comics, “because there’s no point in doing a Google search for Mel Gibson”.
Nat Edwards, head of education at the library, introduces Dr Gibson as a leading scholar on comics and graphic novels. Her job, she says, is to “enthuse” the assembled teachers, but she also wants to dispel any idea that such literature is “mostly violent and full of awfulness”.
Comics are, she argues, a means of developing literacy. There is, for example, the Classical Comics range which includes Shakespeare’s Henry V and Macbeth; there’s Persepolis, an autobiographical novel by Marjane Satrapi depicting her childhood in Iran after the revolution; and The Tale of One Bad Rat by Bryan Talbot about a girl who has suffered sexual abuse. “It’s a book about the power of literature and art to make life worth living again,” Dr Gibson says.
Barrington Stoke April 30, 2008
Posted by Hilery Williams in : Dyslexia, Resources, reading , add a commentTo celebrate the publisher’s 10th birthday, Barrington Stoke’s Primary Titles pack of 12 books is now half price at £25 and the downloads to accompany it are now £20 + VAT. The gr8reads download is now £30 + VAT.
Many schools in East Lothian use these books, written by established authors on dyslexia friendly paper and in accessible formats, for their more reluctant readers successfully.
Novels and non-fiction books with a reading age of 6 and 6.5 will be published soon under the ‘Solo’ banner. Many BS titles are consistent with the Accelerated Reader resource.
One in 20 may suffer effects of ‘number blindness’ April 15, 2008
Posted by Hilery Williams in : Dyslexia , 1 comment so farhttp://news.scotsman.com/education/One-in-20-may-suffer.3980677.jp
The Scotsman claims that more than 50,000 Scots may be unable to count or do simple sums because of an undiagnosed learning difficulty.
Academics believe as much as 5% of the population may have some degree of dyscalculia, which affects the ability to count and understand numbers.
It means they struggle with simple tasks such as checking their change in a shop, writing down a telephone number or even telling the time. Experts and business leaders warn the effects of dyscalculia are costing firms billions and potentially costing individuals their future as they struggle to find jobs which don’t require basic numeracy.
News from Barrington Stoke April 8, 2008
Posted by Hilery Williams in : Additional Support, Dyslexia, Resources, reading , add a commentBarrington Stoke is a specialist publisher for dyslexic and struggling readers age 8-18+.The concept is simple: First class fiction by famous authors presented in a form that is easily accessible- Reading age 8 or below.
Already widely used by Scottish High Schools in both Learning Support departments and libraries, we now have growing demand from Primary schools.
2008 sees our 10th Birthday and we are happy to work with Advisers and Quality Improvement teams to support any events /initiatives that may be planned by offering a free book to teachers attending. Once teachers know about us we find they really like our books and say students are motivated to read more.
If you or any of your colleagues would like to arrange an appointment to see some of our titles and learn more about what Barrington Stoke can offer schools , please contact me on the number below.
Alternatively you can e-mail me at gaynor.fry@barringtonstoke.co.uk
As part of our 2008 birthday celebrations we will be launching a new series called SOLO for 11-13 year olds but with a reading age of 6.5. Our materials have always been well received and the success of the company has been built on producing quality fiction, written by award-winning authors.
Our books are never dumbed-down or patronising. They are compelling stories that children enjoy reading- very accessible so that readers build up confidence.
We make sure that our covers look good – they don’t look like schoolbooks or educational titles. Children are often embarrassed about having reading problems, so Barrington Stoke books don’t look any different to other publishers’ books. And there is never anything on the cover to suggest the books are for struggling readers.
Every detail matters
· We use our own font, Barrington Stoke Roman, which was designed for us by language specialists. It’s proven to help dyslexics avoid mixing up letters and ensure a smooth read.
· We print on cream or off-white paper, which is easier for dyslexics than reading black print on white.
· Paragraphs are never too long, and dialogue is clearly marked.
· Uneven lines help the reader keep his or her place
· Text size and line spacing are carefully calculated and tested – not too small, not too large – so we know we’re using the clearest and most readable layout.
· All books have chapters, to provide lots of natural breaks for readers.
You can find out more about us by visiting our website www.barringtonstoke.co.uk
however, I would be delighted to visit you too.
GAYNOR FRY
Educational Sales Representative
Mob:078 464 89880
e-mail: gaynor.fry@barringtonstoke.co.uk
Barrington Stoke Publishers
Children’s Publisher of the Year 2007 (Independent Publishing Awards)
Company reg no: SC169395
*Shortlisted for two 2008 Independent Publishing Awards - Children’s Publisher of the Year and Educational Publisher of the Year*
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