Dyslexia and specific learning difficulties
In recent years the world of adult education has come to recognise specific learning difficulties and, in particular, dyslexia as educational barriers for many learners. Increasingly, adult literacy providers wish to ensure that they are providing appropriate support and tuition for adult learners who may be dyslexic.
Learning Connections aims to help the development and quality of adult literacies work in response to needs around the issue. As part of our research, we have found that immediate issues include the need for improved dyslexia screening in adult literacies, and training for staff to work with adults with dyslexia (and other specific learning difficulties).
Consultation forum
We work closely with specialists in specific learning difficulties, and we have established a consultation forum made up of practitioners drawn from the literacy partnerships across the country. The forum will provide opinion and feedback on specific learning difficulties matters as they relate to adult literacies practice in Scotland.
Because of the geographical spread of membership, much of the business of the forum is conducted by telephone and e-mail but in order to retain the benefits of face-to-face group discussion, meetings will take place at three monthly intervals.
Minutes of forum meetings and news updates will be posted on this website. And if you have questions, items and issues of interest to the group or would like to join, please contact Don Mackie of the adult literacies team.
Higher National Units/PDA: Adult Dyslexia
The two new adult dyslexia HN Units/PDA: "Understanding and Supporting Individuals with Dyslexia" (F16Y 34) and "Working with Individuals with Dyslexia" (F171 34) are to be officially launched on Tuesday 20 November 2007. A CD ROM version of the supporting resource materials will be available by that date. Thereafter, these materials will be available through Dyslexia Scotwest.
Resources and support
The following sections are being developed to provide online information and support for adult literacies tutors and other literacies staff. Some of the links are live now while others will be added over the coming months.
Adult Dyslexia: Understanding the Difference (CD-ROM)
This CD-ROM film has been produced primarily as resource for use by trainers in dyslexia awareness raising training although it may also be useful as a stand-alone resource. The film is broken into 6 5 minute sections and dyslexia is discussed by staff from the Scottish dyslexia support agencies, tutors and trainers from adult literacies and by adults with dyslexia.
The first three section cover the topics:
- What is Dyslexia?
- Learning and Support
- Living with Dyslexia
The other three sections are case studies in which 3 adults describe their own experiences of dyslexia and how they cope with everyday life and learning.
Copies of the film may be obtained by contacting Don Mackie.