[SENco-forum] Dyslexia support

Hi Sharon

Dyslexia is not just an education issue.
The research into dyslexia now indicates that the dyslexic symptoms of
having problems with reading, writing and spelling(and that is all dyslexia
is) has a multitude of underlying sensory and motor information processing
issues, and many of these have a medical basis. This research was not
available when the UK made those decisions which now need to be reversed. 
The whole range of issues that surround dyslexia need to be addressed by a
multi disciplined team of specialists and not just either educational or
just medical, BUT all.

Otherwise no progress will be made. No one set of professionals can be
responsible for these issues which affect social, and adult life. A prime
example of the nonsense that the present day UK system creates which you
seem to be advocating, is the phrase Specific Learning Disability; which
means nothing to anyone, even to those in the education system, especially
to those of us who have to live life outside the education system after the
age of 16. A totally meaningless diagnosis. 

If you tell your future employer that at school you have been diagnosed as
having a Specific Learning Disability, he is going to laugh in you face. You
are telling him anything about the nature of you disability, or how it could
affect your ability to do the job, or what help you may need. So there needs
to be a medical input so that the real underlying issues are investigated
and a full package of support can be provided. These issues do not just
cause problems in the education system, they cause problems in many other
areas of life. So a just education approach is very short sighted and
demonstrates a complete lack of understanding of the issues involved.

Best wishes

dolfrog

-----Original Message-----
From: senco-forum-bounces at lists.becta.org.uk
[mailto:senco-forum-bounces at lists.becta.org.uk] On Behalf Of
SEN at tringham.net
Sent: 01 February 2007 08:59
To: Becta Senco
Subject: RE: [SENco-forum] Dyslexia support

A friend from overseas is about to present information to their Government
department and wants to include some 'best practice' from the UK. The
country in question has only recently  recognised dyslexia and put it under
a 'medical' label.  I think this makes it equivalent to our 1970's stance
with 'treatment' in hospital rather than school. They want it moved ASAP to
being in-school supported only.

They are asking:

1. When did UK start providing educational support to children with
dyslexia?

2. When did UK provide more comprehensive support to children with dyslexia?

I know the 2001 COP & Disability Discrimination Act have both pushed the
agenda forward faster, but can I really say that our children currently get
'comprehensive' support?

Anyone remember the recent figures for teachers who were confident of
spotting and/or support children with dyslexia?

I suppose I could send an outline of the recent Education & Skills committee
enquiry for better ITT.  Any other ideas?

I want to encourage the right moves forward, whilst being honest. The
country in question has the ability to leapfrog right over us given the
right information to avoid pitfalls that we can now see, with hindsight.

Any older SENco's been through the changes of the last 30 years who would
have done anything differently for pupils with dyslexia, given unlimited
power?

Sharon

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