[senco-forum] infants and dyslexia - earlier identification/better differentiation

Sound advice but...(see additional info in brackets).

SEVEN RISK FACTORS IN EARLY SCREENING FOR DYSLEXIA written by Martin Turner,
Head of Psychology, The Dyslexia Institute, 15th May 1995.

1. A family pattern of literacy difficulty, especially in one or both
parents -
(parents may not be aware of what this entails so have a checklist)

2.   A history of speech delay or abnormal development - (not just delay,
but 'cute' lisps that persist, or 'cute' mispronunciations and persistent
tense difficulties after 6/7 -younger if brighter!)

3. Difficulties with the *sounds *of words, as in rhymes, sequencing of
syllables, auditory memory or imitation -

(don't be fooled by a child that can play 'I went shopping....they are using
visual memory prompts apple, banana, cat etc.,' Measure ability to rhyme
orally against their ability to spot the word family visually as this is a
separate visual discrimination/ memory problem).

4. Failure to learn, already in the early years, those academic skills which
others of similar age and ability can do -
(look for anything that should be automatic and isn't i.e. social skills,
using punctuation -not just parroting where it should go, or learning about
safety issues - crossing the road/who is a stranger!)

5. Difficulty with naming of pictures or objects; finding the right or
obvious word (retrieval skills can extend to storytelling, but not the same
as sequencing issues either of a story or a picture story/learning times
tables or other rote info that should be automatic early on as in point 4)).

6.   Assimilation of information visually when this entails attaching words
to things in a verbal strategy.

7.  Unhappiness at school from the beginning, where this is hard
to explain on grounds of immaturity or dependence noticeable before the
start of school.

( I would say unhappiness at school starts when the child notices the
discrepancy between what they can do and what others can do.  They are not
daft and know who should or shouldn't be doing better than them!  The age at
which this happens depends not only on the child in relation to normal
maturation stages around Y2/ age 7 but their individual
immaturity/upbringing and also IQ.

All students with SpLD are different.  All dyslexia is different.  I have 4
children of my own and the only common start point is that they have high IQ
/Dyslexia.  After that their inability to learn is down to the individual
teacher/school requirements.

  The one with dysgraphia is never going to be able to write well - so use a
computer.  The one with severe spelling problems needs different support to
the one with dyscalculia, reversal, sequencing and memory issues.  And while
some students can use their strong auditory skills to support their weak
visual skills (or vice versa) some have weaknesses in both and need a lot of
support from family, school and ICT.

On top of this is the family/school stress that will ensue, partly but not
solely down to poor organisation skills, which is very rarely talked about
or tackled.  Full marks to my Primary for running an after school club for
parents and children where everyone gets to learn together not only how to
tackle spelling etc but how to minimise stress.

Homework set as photocopiable worksheets are often not suitable for many
students, never mind those with dyslexia - and I would like to see more
training on how to differentiate not only the level of work presented, but
the format so as to make it most accessible.  I have a collection of real
horrors that I must send to Folens (although they are sadly not the only
culprits.) Variations should be banked for use by future classes/years to
save teachers having to do so much unnecessary extra work.

Sharon Tringham SpLD Dip.

-----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: 02 September 2007 08:13
To: senco-forum
Subject: [senco-forum] infants and dyslexia

Hello
  Can you give me some advice please.
  What would you  advise an infant / reception teacher to look for as
evidence of dyslexia in a child of 5 or 6 where the family has a history of
dyslexia and is anxious that the school picks this up as soon as possible.
  Thanks for your help.
  Amanda
  Secondary SENCO
  Cornwall

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