2009 Annual Conference and AGM

The 2009 Conference and AGM took place on 25th April 2009, Imperial College, London.

Below are details of the programme.

Imperial College, South Kensington Campus
Sir Alexander Fleming Building
Imperial College Road

Keynote Address

Dyslexia provision in the 21st century: 'No To Failure' and beyond

by Dr Chris Singleton, B.A., Ph.D., C.Psychol., A.F.B.Ps.S

The No To Failure project is the largest controlled empirical study of specialist intervention for children with dyslexia ever carried out in the UK. The results of this project will form part of the core evidence for Sir Jim Rose's review and recommendations on provision for dyslexic children in schools, which will be published in the Spring of 2009. Consequently the outcome of the No To Failure project has the potential to make a significant difference to government policy and to teaching in schools. In this keynote presentation, Dr Chris Singleton, independent evaluator of the project, will set the findings of the No To Failure project in the context of international research evidence on specialist phonologically-based interventions for children with dyslexia, in comparison with whole-language approaches such as Reading Recovery. He will also consider the wider long-term implications for education, in the light of the Rose recommendations and current economic constraints.

Dr Chris Singleton is a Chartered Psychologist and Senior Lecturer in Educational Psychology at the University of Hull. From 1995 – 2006 he was also Director of the Psychological Assessment Unit at the University of Hull, and is currently a consultant psychologist to the Hull Educational and Psychological Assessment Service. Dr Singleton lectures in educational psychology, cognition and learning, and child development. Dr. Singleton's main research and professional interests are in the development of literacy and the identification and education of children and adults with dyslexia or other learning problems. He is internationally known for pioneering research that resulted in the development of computer-based systems for screening and assessment of dyslexia, and is a widely published author of books and research papers. He is also associate editor of the Journal of Research in Reading. Dr Singleton is currently providing research-based evidence to the Rose Review and is helping to write the final report for the No To Failure project.

Delegates are able to choose to attend up to 2 of the following 6 seminars.

The 6 Seminars/Workshops are:

1. Building teacher confidence in working with dyslexic learners in the classroom
by Sandy Ball
(Primary/Early Secondary)

This workshop presentation will largely be of interest to those working within the primary and early secondary age ranges, either in the classroom or in a support/advisory role. We will examine tools to assist classroom teachers in recognising and identifying dyslexic learners, based on the 'dyslexic profile' emerging from research. We will then explore practical teaching and learning approaches, strategies and techniques that can be incorporated into classroom routines to support dyslexic children, including materials from the government's Inclusion Development Programme. The session will also aim to give delegates the opportunity to share their own valuable expertise and ideas for supporting teachers and children in the classroom.

Sandy Ball, AMBDA, worked for many years as a Dyslexia Advisory Teacher for Wiltshire LEA. She is currently an independent dyslexia consultant undertaking training, assessment and specialist teaching, and is a guest lecturer at Southampton and Bath Spa Universities. In recent years she has been involved in writing and producing WESFORD (Wiltshire Early Screening For Dyslexia) resources for Wiltshire LEA.

2. The EDEN Skills Workshop – Assistive Technology
by Atif Choudhury and Joseph Aquilina
(All Ages)

This session will include a demonstration and discussion about how software can be taught using a combination of study skills techniques, multi-sensory teaching methods and provision of suitable learning support materials. The intention of the EDEN workshop is to demonstrate how an integrated AT/Study skills approach leads to enhanced learning and greater independence.

EDEN Skills is run by two Assistive Technology Trainers who are dyslexia study-skills trained and dyslexic learners. EDEN has first hand personal experience of the shortfalls in some of the current AT training methods and is working to standardise a guideline and training curriculum to ensure that both aspects of IT expertise and dyslexia support skills work together as a package.

This workshop will combine up-to-date assistive software training, dyslexia specific study skills knowledge and a demonstration of 24/7 support tutorials to offer a new source of learning facilitation!

Atif Choudhury is an assistive technology trainer and a qualified Dyslexia study skills tutor, as well being a co-founder of EDEN Skills. Having completed a BA (Hons) in Sociology and an MSC in Social Development, he went on to complete a advanced national diploma in teaching dyslexic adults in 2002. Atif was also elected to join the ADSHE executive committee 2008-09 and currently holds the post of ADSHE membership and publicity officer.

Joseph Aquilina is a graduate in Fine Art and a singer-songwriter. He has tutored at many levels of education, from primary and secondary through to FE and HE. He has also been a workshop leader and co-ordinator for various local education authorities and charities, including Kids Company, and has worked with young people with severe learning disabilities. Joseph has been an assistive technology trainer for four years and is a qualified study-skills tutor. Over the years, Joseph has developed effective coping strategies which he passes on to the students he works with. He has provided positive empowering support for a wide range of disabled, dyslexic and disadvantaged people, especially for students who need support with dyslexia and AT.

3. Testing and How to put a Report Together for Extra Time
by Louise Green
(Secondary)

Criteria for assessing for access arrangements are listed in the JCQ Access Arrangements, Reasonable Adjustments and Special Consideration Booklet, updated and reissued each year. In relation to arrangements for up to 25% extra time centres often ask what evidence is needed. The JCQ refers to a diagnostic report for extra time but does not clarify what it should contain so this workshop will cover:

• JCQ regulations relating to extra time
• What evidence is needed
• What areas should be considered for an assessment for extra time
• How to assess individual cases
• How to manage group assessments
• How to record/present the information
• Brief reference to various tests that can be used in key areas

Louise Green has been assessing pupils for access arrangements in various centres and privately since 2000. She holds an assessment practising certificate issued by Patoss and regularly writes reports for access arrangements at GCSE and GCE as well as assessing students applying for Disabled Students' Allowance. She currently assesses at two centres in London and teaches at one independent secondary school and two state grammar schools.

4. Dyslexia in the Workplace
by Katherine Kindersley
(Adult)

This seminar will consider the issues and the challenges that the specialist assessor/ trainer will meet when supporting adults in the workplace. It will include discussion of the following areas:

• The workplace environment
• Conflicts at work
• Identification and assessment
• Individual skills training
• Reasonable adjustments and intervention at various levels of the organisation
• Liaising with managers
• Dyslexia friendly workplaces

Katherine Kindersley works as a Consultant to educational establishments, private and public companies and government organisations. She is the Director of 'Dyslexia Assessment & Consultancy', (www.workingwithdyslexia.com) an assessment and advisory service for employers and employees.

She runs regular training courses on Dyslexia & Employment and Adult Dyslexia Assessment for psychologists and specialist teachers. She works as a specialist dyslexia assessor and trainer, supporting young people and adults in a variety of educational, vocational and workplace situations. She specialises in workplace and legal assessments. She is a contributor to Dyslexia and Employment, Wiley-Blackwell 2009. This is a comprehensive guide to good practice in workplace dyslexia consultancy.

5. Glue Ear and Dyslexia: A Sticky Educational Issue!
by Dr Lindsay Peer CBE
(Primary/Secondary)

Discussion with head teachers, teachers and parents has highlighted vast numbers of dyslexic young people reported to have suffered from serious bouts of ear infections leading to 'Glue Ear' - one specialist dyslexia school reporting over 90% of children at any one time. This is a far greater number than would be expected in the general population.

A significant overlap exists between symptoms of both dyslexia and 'Glue Ear' leading to difficulties in some/all of: aspects of language, literacy, learning, socialising, frustration, anxiety and low self-esteem. Young children, adolescents and adults have reported experiencing on-going and varying levels of discomfort and frustration which interfere with the ability to cope with learning, working and socialising.

In this session, Lindsay will look in detail at the overlap and commonalities of these conditions and offer ways for identification, support and teaching in primary and secondary schools.

Suitable for: teachers, SENCos, dyslexia specialists, teaching assistants, speech and language therapists, psychologists.

Dr Lindsay Peer CBE C.Psychol C.Sci. AFBPsS FRSA FIARLD AMBDA Educational Psychologist, Speaker, Author and Expert Witness, Lindsay is widely recognised as an expert in the range of SpLDs and mainstream education. In 2002 she was appointed CBE for services to Education and Dyslexia. She has lectured extensively as keynote speaker in the international arena since the late 1980s and advises governments, policy makers, lawyers, schools, psychologists and parents. Lindsay is a Chartered Psychologist, Associate Fellow and Chartered Scientist of the British Psychological Society and a Fellow of the International Academy of Research in Learning Disabilities and the Royal Society of Arts. She is a member of the Association of Child Psychologists in Private Practice. Lindsay was Education Director and Deputy CEO of the British Dyslexia Association until 2003.

6. Multi-sensory maths remediation - Unicornmaths workshop
by Sarah Wedderburn
(Primary)

This workshop will look at a variety of practical ideas for introducing mathematical topics in a concrete mode. Unicornmaths specialises in maths remediation, and delegates will try out some focused, multi-sensory activities that have been devised to reinforce specific maths concepts. These games are designed for use by small groups and individuals so as to help strengthen a pupil's learning and develop their understanding, confidence and enjoyment of maths. During the workshop we will discuss ideas for the development of the language of maths which will include the use of strong visual images to aid retention and comprehension. In addition, Dynamo Maths, which is an interactive computer programme that has been written to enable pupils to practice their essential maths skills, will be demonstrated. The aim of this workshop is that each delegate will leave with fresh, accessible ideas on how to remediate the maths skills of all their pupils.

Sarah Wedderburn is a highly experienced mainstream and special needs teacher. After working as a classroom teacher she retrained at the Hornsby Dyslexia Centre where she then worked as a lecturer. In 2000 she wrote the Unicornmaths programme which is a cumulative, multi-sensory maths development scheme for the remediation of dyscalculia.

Sarah is an SEN teacher in a primary school and runs the Unicornmaths Studio where she works with six colleagues offering one-to-one specialist tuition. She delivers maths remediation training courses for SEN and mainstream teachers and TAs in association with the British Dyslexia Association. She is the specialist consultant for Dynamo Maths.