What is Dyslexia?

The British Dyslexia Associstion (BDA) describes Dyslexia as 'a learning difference which primarily affects reading and writing skills. However, it does not only affect these skills. Dyslexia is actually about information processing. Dyslexic people may have difficulty processing and remembering information they see and hear, which can affect learning and the acquisition of literacy skills. Dyslexia can also impact on other areas such as organisational skills' (BDA, 2021). 

How do we support dyslexic pupils at Rockmount?

At Rockmount, a number of resources and strategies are adopted to use on a daily basis to ensure our dyslexic pupils can access a broad and balanced curriculum and reach their full learning potential. As noted by the BDA, 'it is important to remember that there are positives to thinking differently. Many dyslexic people show strengths in areas such as reasoning and in visual and creative fields' (BDA, 2021).  Below are some of the key strategies and resources we use with our dyslexic pupils. 

• Providing coloured overlays as some dyslexic people can experience visual discomfort or disturbances when they read black text on a white background which can make reading more difficult and much slower
• Providing resources on coloured paper
• Using a clear and large font for printed resources
• Changing the background colour when using a whiteboard or computer screen
• Providing highlighters so learners can track text that has been read, or highlight important pieces of information
• Providing access to assistive technology such as a computer for pupils who find it difficult to write quickly enough in class
• Using multisensory ways of teaching
• Allowing additional 'thinking' time
• Breaking information up into smaller 'chunks'

Links to useful websites

• The British Dyslexia Association
• Croydon's Local Offer for Dyslexia 
• NHS Dyslexia information
• The Helen Arkell Dyslexia Charity 
• Nessy (learning support and resources for dyslexic children)