[senco-forum] Possible dyslexia

Can't agree with you Graeme

The whole debate with Amanda's posting is how do you distinquish between EAL
development and SEN and not another circular argument about the nature of
dyslexia.

Richard

-----Original Message-----
From: senco-forum-bounces at lists.becta.org.uk
[mailto:senco-forum-bounces at lists.becta.org.uk]On Behalf Of dolfrog
Sent: 08 October 2006 17:57
To: 'Amanda'; 'senco-forum'
Subject: RE: [senco-forum] Possible dyslexia

Hi Amanda

This whole debate should go back to first defining what dyslexia is.
Dyslexia is having problems with the human designed visual notation of
another human communication system which we call speech.

When dyslexia was first identified the Visual Processing Disorder the
dyslexic symptoms where recognised, and since this has become better known
as Mears Irlen syndrome, and is best tested by Ophthalmic Opticians. There
are other Visual impairments that can cause the dyslexic symptoms, and again
these should be diagnosed by the relevant optical specialist.

In recent years it has been suggested that 60% of those who display the
dyslexic symptoms, having problem s with reading, writing and spelling, have
phonological problems. And a major cause of these phonological problems are
caused by Auditory Processing Disorder, which can be clinically diagnosed by
an trained Audiologist. Some SLTs may be suitable trained as well, as there
are many areas of overlap.

Educational Psychologists for some unknown reason have got into the act of
diagnosis as well, for reasons that escape me. But most of these conditions
can be diagnosed without the use of language, as they are either auditory or
visually based problems.

To paraphrase my friends at the Medical Research Council, it is time for
these diagnostic tests to be 80% computerised, so that any suitable trained
clinician can carry out the assessment, and for the subjective opinions of
professionals such as Educational Psychologists, Audiologists etc are only
to suggest possible or suitable remedial programs.

Educational Psychologists are not the trained to diagnose the underlying
causes of dyslexia, as these issues are outside of their qualifications, and
areas of interest.

Best wishes

Graeme
dolfrog
dolfrog at apduk.org
http://www.apduk.org
dolfrog at dolfrog.com
http://www.dolfrog.com
http://www.ldlinks.org.uk
-----Original Message-----
From: senco-forum-bounces at lists.becta.org.uk
[mailto:senco-forum-bounces at lists.becta.org.uk] On Behalf Of Amanda
Sent: Saturday, October 07, 2006 5:36 PM
To: senco-forum
Subject: [senco-forum] Possible dyslexia

Hello everyone

  Anyone got any experience of testing then working with someone with some
sort of language difficulty whose first language is not English.  I've done
the Dyslexia Screening Test but all it shows, of course, is that there is a
problem in English and I suspect that he has learning difficulties as well.

  We don't get many students who do not have English as a first language -
this is only the fourth in eighteen years!  I'd appreciate some advice from
those who know much more about this than me.

  Amanda

Amanda
Secondary SENCO
Cornwall

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