[senco-forum] Parents Forum

Hi,

The Corwall Dyslexia Association is running courses for parents of
dyslexic children throughout Cornwall. Apart from raising awareness and
understanding, we also provide a forum for discussiions during the
workshops and then support the creation of a support-group in each area to
continue the links after the courses end.

Parents want information ... they want to understand WHY their child(ren)
struggle with literacy, numeracy etc.

I use the modalities model to highlight different learning styles and
hence different dyslexias / different dyslexic profiles / levels and
needs. I also cover aspects of memory (explaining principles of working
memory and long-term memory) and relate these to strategies that support
memory (also highlighting the effect of working-memory overload ... and
suggesting ways to reduce it).

They want to know ways of helping their child's education WITHOUT BEING
TEACHERS! They know that the 'hey! Let's do some reading/maths/homework'
approach often results in conflict at home. We discuss the child/parent
relationship, and explore alternative ways of engaging the child in
literacy / numeracy / hobbies. I give them games - particularly ones where
adaption and fun make use of family involvement (giving the child
flexibility and ownership) - I can pass on some of these if you want.

They want to share their experiences with others so we have activities
that offer opportunities for chatter, and always have a refreshment and
biscuits break with a resources table for them to browse and feel free to
mingle with others.

They want practical ideas they can go away and use. Hence the games, but I
also have a Barrington Stokes library of books for them to borrow (reading
age lower than chronological age - buff pages, clear print etc), and set
home activities (eg a grid of varied reading activities such as reading a
ceral packet; horoscope; page of a dictionary; shampoo bottle, which they
complete with their children and then report back the next week).

They want to know what the school is, or should be, doing. We have a clear
outline of the Code of Practice plus explanations of terminology such as
'SENCo' 'IEP' etc ... parents often say they had no idea of this overview.
I don't try to explain it all, just give them the overall picture so that
they know the terminology and framework so they can go into school and
discuss individual issues.

But most of all, I would say that they want some positive messages. The
feedback we have is very good, particularly things like "I now feel less
anxious, frustrated and stressed - now I understand what is going on, it
has changed the way I support my child - life is so much happier now!"

I give them positive messages throughout the course. I get them to
encourage their children to look up successful dyslexics on the Internet.
I highlight problem-solving, creative and lateral thinking skills. I also
emphasise the difficulties the English language presents for those who
have difficulty with the codes of written language - we cover spelling
rules; homophones; the language of maths etc and are constantly
demonstrating how to 'displace failure away from the individual to the
oddities of the Engish language.'

Most parents, when we start the course and discuss their feelings and
concerns, raise the issue of low self-esteem as one of their main worries.
Helping them recognise ways of developing their children's confidence has
made a lot of difference because it has raised the parents' confidence
too.

If you want any more details or information, let me know.

Good luck with your valuable venture.

Sally (Plymouth)

> Hi,
> I am hoping to set up a SEN Parents Forum.
> Has anyone done this? Can anyone offer any advice?
> Ta! (in advance).
> And many thanks for everyone's very valuable help on TA troubles -
> appreciated.
>
> Take care,
>
> Greg
> SENCo
>
>