Specific Learning Difficulties(Dyslexia)

Specific Learning Difficulties (Dyslexia) is a relatively common problem which can range from mild to severe. Individual children will exhibit different patterns of difficulties. Unlike general learning difficulties, these specific difficulties only apply in certain areas of work, and particularly in processing print. "Dyslexia is evident when accurate and fluent word reading and/or spelling develops very incompletely or with great difficulty …. despite appropriate learning opportunities." (British Psychological Society 1999)

Sp.L D (Dyslexia) is not related to intelligence but is easier to detect in bright children as it often presents as a marked and apparent difference between educational achievement and ability level. It usually manifests as difficulty in learning to read, spell and produce written language but it can also affect other areas of the curriculum such as mathematics and physical education.

Difficulties

poor auditory and/or visual memory
poor attention span
poor organisational and sequencing skills
following directions
problem with word retrieval
confusion with directionality
understanding concepts such as yesterday/today/tomorrow
mixed laterally
confusion with letters of similar shape / sounds
reversal of numbers, letters and whole words
omission/confusion of small words
jumbles words eg hopsital, aminal
poor phonological awareness
severe difficulty with spelling - inconsistent/bizarre
copying from blackboard
badly formed letters/messy handwriting

Support Strategies

encourage child in things he does well eg creativity; praise effort, even when there are errors
give short, achievable tasks with a definite end in sight
make sure that there is adequate time for the task
give clear, manageable instructions
help with organising eg colour-coded folders, homework diary
use a multi-sensory approach
eliminate as much copying as possible - provide photocopies
consider alternative ways of child presenting work eg oral, taping
use ICT to support written work and aid self-expression
try to ensure that worksheets have a clear recognisable format for presenting information and tasks
encourage the use of highlighters for extracting information and demonstrating knowledge
make use of mnemonics or other memory strategies
make use of mind maps for revision
provide opportunities for consolidation and overlearning
mind maps
good home-school liaison is essential

Additional Information

NB Most children experience some of these difficulties some of the time. A dyslexic problem is only likely when many of them occur all of the time.