Support for Educators
Dyslexia, classified as a disability under the Equality Act 2010, often hinders individuals, both adults and children, from reaching their full potential.
How to get support as a school
With an estimated one in 10 people in the UK being dyslexic, it is highly probable that you will encounter pupils with dyslexia or other specific learning difficulties (SpLD).
For effective teaching, it is essential to become familiar with the legal framework governing education, as well as knowledge of how to identify and support learners with Special Educational Needs (SEN).
See Special educational needs and disability code of practice: 0 to 25 years
Support to schools in Wiltshire is available from the Specialist SEN Service (SSENS)
Wiltshire Dyslexia Association Free Helpline
The WDA operates a helpline service run by a volunteer. Get in touch with us and we will respond to you as soon as possible.
Helpline telephone:
07394 617917 (answerphone available)
Monday – Friday, 9.30 am – 5.30 pm
Helpline email: wdahelpline@gmail.com
British Dyslexia Association Free Helpline
There is also a free national helpline run by the BDA for people with dyslexia and dyscalculia and those who support them.
Call 0333 405 4567 to speak with an advisor.
See Helpline for opening times and further details.
Some signs of Dyslexia in Children
Signs of dyslexia can become more obvious when children start learning how to read and write. Some signs of dyslexia in children may be:
Children may struggle with:
- Learning the alphabet (names and sounds of letters)
- Pronouncing words correctly
- Tying shoe laces and dressing
- Telling left and right
- Reading, writing and/or spelling (confusing letters b/d and numbers)
- Learning the order of days of the week
- Read slowly or make errors when reading aloud
- Describe visual disturbances when reading (for example, letters and words seems to move around or appear blurred)
- Answer questions well orally, but have difficulty writing the answer down
- Have poor handwriting and slow writing speed
Looking For Support
How to support pupils and students
Often, reasonable adjustments are minor changes and don’t have to involve costly materials or additional staff time. Small, considered changes can have a big impact on a student’s education.
Examples of reasonable adjustments:
– Offer alternatives to writing as a key method of recording
– Provide handouts that contain the learning points rather than asking pupils to copy text from the whiteboard or take notes
– Repeat instructions/information and check for understanding of tasks
– Use a visual timetable with colour coding and symbols
– Alter format options onscreen on an interactive whiteboard
– Encourage peer support to record homework tasks in the planner
– Provide access to assistive technology such as a computer, for pupils who find it difficult to read large amounts of text or to write quickly enough in class
– Use multi-sensory ways of teaching
– Allow time to respond as many dyslexic students are slower to process information
– Break information up into smaller ‘chunks’
How we can help educators
We believe in a dyslexia-friendly society that enables neurodivergent people of all ages to reach their full potential.
We support the work of Wiltshire’s Specialist SEN Service (SSENS)
We provide information via our helpline and in person at events.
Our newsletters enable educators to keep up to date with news of awareness events and training opportunities, news articles, resources and offers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What training opportunities are available?
In Wiltshire the Specialist SEN Service (SSENS) provides advice, support and free training for schools in Wiltshire. Details at Training & Events | Right Choice
See also SSENS resource page which includes free literacy screening and support resources (WESforD).
The following organisations offer both free and paid for opportunities to learn more about dyslexia and other SpLDs:
Training – British Dyslexia Association (See also their free webinar recordings on the BDA YouTube channel.)
Schools | Helen Arkell
Patoss Training & Events
Dyslexia Action | Training and Professional Development
Services for schools – Positive Dyslexia
Education – Learn Dyslexia – Made By Dyslexia
(Made By Dyslexia has created free training with Microsoft Learn.)
Is dyslexia hereditary?
Dyslexia is regarded as a neurobiological condition that is genetic in origin. This means that individuals can inherit this condition from a parent and it affects the performance of the neurological system (specifically, the parts of the brain responsible for learning to read).
Is dyslexia a disability?
Dyslexia is classified as a disability under the Equality Act 2010. A disability under the Equality Act 2010 is a physical or mental impairment that affects a person’s ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities. Dyslexia will count as a long-term physical or mental impairment.
What do I need to know as a teacher?
The main document that governs Special Educational Needs & Disability (SEND) is the Special educational needs and disability code of practice: 0 to 25 years
This states that “Every school is required to identify and address the SEN of the pupils they support. They MUST use their ‘best endeavours’ to make sure that a child with SEN gets the support they need.” (Chapter 6.2)
Does a school have to acknowledge independent assessments?
Schools should accept any report by an appropriately qualified professional, regardless of source. If that professional identifies a difficulty that has a ‘significant impact’ on the child’s life, then the Equalities Act (2010) makes it very clear that the school must not treat that child unfavourably compared to another child and that they must put in place ‘reasonable adjustments’ (e.g. a reader in an exam) such that the child is not treated less favourably than others.
To ignore findings of significant impact and not take reasonable steps is, in the definition of the law, discrimination. If the findings suggest below average capability of functioning (in any aspect), the school has a statutory duty to do something.
How does touch typing help students?
There is debate as to whether touch typing is something that young people should learn. It can make it easier for some people with dyslexia to get their ideas onto paper, but for others it can be a tricky process to learn because of the vulnerabilities in their motor skills.
Touch Typing can help with:
- Enhancing writing speed and efficiency
- Improving spelling accuracy
- Focusing more on content and ideas rather than the mechanics of writing
- Boosting self-esteem and confidence
- Reducing letter and number reversal errors (b/d)
- Improving the connection between sounds and letters
- Organisational skills like
- Improving learning and memory
You can read more about it in these articles:
Benefits of Touch Typing | Nessy
Teaching Typing — The Studying With Dyslexia Blog
Examples of touch-typing programmes:
BBC Bitesize – Dance Mat Typing – an introduction to touch typing for children aged 7 – 11 years
Touch-type Read & Spell – TTRS Home subscription (readandspell.com)
EnglishType – Learn To Touchtype – Touch Typing Programmes UK | EnglishType
Achieve Now – Transforming Learning
KAZ: Learn to Type with Dyslexia – SEN touch typing edition (kaz-type.com)
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Become a Member
Join us as the voice of dyslexic people by becoming a member of the Wiltshire Dyslexia Association.
Your support enables us to provide free information, advice, training and events, and continue striving for a dyslexia-friendly society. Supporters receive our regular newsletters.
All membership fees paid online are paid by Direct Debit and can be cancelled at any time.
Please contact wdahelpline@gmail.com if you would like details about an alternative method of payment.
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