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SPECIFIC LEARNING DIFFICULTIES (DYSLEXIA)
INDICATORS
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.
CHARACTERISTICS
– Poor auditory and 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 laterality
– Confusion with letters of similar shape/sound
– Reversal of numbers, letters and whole words
– Jumbles words e.g. 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 that he/she does well in; 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 e.g. colour-coded folders, homework diary
– Use a multi-sensory approach
– Eliminate as much copying as possible
– Consider alternative ways of child presenting work e.g. 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
– Provide opportunities for consolidation and over learning
– Good home-school liaison is essential
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- Most of these 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.
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