Understanding Dyslexia
�� What is Dyslexia?
Dyslexia is a set of processing difficulties that affect the acquisition of reading and spelling.
��Common Signs
Difficulties in reading fluency and spelling are a key marker of dyslexia. The most commonly observed cognitive impairment in dyslexia is a difficulty in phonological processing (i.e. in phonological awareness, phonological processing speed or phonological memory). Working memory, processing speed and orthographic skills can contribute to the impact of dyslexia.
⭐ Key Things to Know
Dyslexic difficulties exist on a continuum and can be experienced to various degrees of severity. Every child’s profile is different. Dyslexia is lifelong, but early intervention and support helps enormously.
�� How Specialist Teaching Can Help
Structured reading and spelling programmes taught by a specialist dyslexia teacher can help a child achieve their full potential in reading and spelling. Specialist teachers understand the difficulties faced by children with reading difficulties and so teach in a supportive, positive and encouraging manner.
❤️ A Positive Message for Parents
With the right support, children with dyslexia can thrive at school and beyond. Early intervention, support and encouragement build confidence and success
Tuition
The Dyslexia Specialist Teacher offers professional and personalised tuition to primary school children experiencing reading, spelling or writing difficulties. Tuition is carried out in the child's home.
Tuition services include phonological awareness, phonics, morphology, sight word acquisition, reading fluency and spellings and includes strategies to improve working memory, processing speed and orthographic skills. A structured literacy approach, based on the Science of Reading, is used. This is an evidence-based approach that teaches reading and spelling skills in a clear and sequential manner, critical for learners with dyslexia.
OTHER Services
Dyslexia Explained
It can be difficult to explain a dyslexia diagnosis to your child. The dyslexia specialist uses slides and pictures to explain dyslexia to children in a child-friendly, supportive and confidence building manner.
Also, if you as a parent require help with understanding your child's report, the dyslexia specialist is skilled in interpreting the scores and explaining the findings in professional dyslexia reports.
Information and support available also on the RACE process.
About the Donegal Dyslexia Specialist
The Dyslexia Specialist Teacher holds a Master of Education (MEd) in Specific Learning Difficulties (Dyslexia) at Dublin City University. Graduates of this course have advanced specialist knowledge and professional skills in understanding, assessing, and supporting learners with dyslexia and related specific learning difficulties.
She is registered as a Dyslexia Specialist Teacher with the British Dyslexia Association (BDA) and Dyslexia Specialists Ireland (DSI). She is also a qualified and practising primary school teacher and member of the teaching council.