10. The way forward.

Site contents.

10. The way forward.

It is now understood that dyslexia is a specific learning difficulty which primarily affects learning to read, write and spell, although it can also include mathematical skills.

At a time when the government is committed to making sure that all children learn to read and write effectively at school, it is more important than ever that children with dyslexia have their difficulties diagnosed early so that they do not fall behind in school.

There is sufficient experience and expertise available to identify children with specific learning difficulties. Suitable teaching materials and programmes have been developed to help children with dyslexia at all levels of severity.

Training courses exist for teachers who wish to learn more about this specific learning difficulty and how to handle it in the classroom.

It is vital to ensure that children and adults with dyslexic difficulties are not left behind. Experts in the field believe the following steps are essential if children and adults with dyslexia are to realise their full potential. They urge all concerned to work towards their implementation.

• Increased awareness so that parents as well as teachers can recognise those children at risk.
  
  
• Pre-school activities that enable children to develop their listening and language skills.
  
  
• Early identification of difficulties in nursery and primary schools.
  
  
• Provision of appropriate help for dyslexic pupils and students throughout their education.
  
  
• Teaching methods that provide a sufficiently thorough and logical approach to ensure that reading skills based on language development are acquired and remembered by the learner.
  
  
• Training for teachers to meet the needs of children and young people with dyslexic-type difficulties.
  
  
• Awareness among employers of the ways in which individual members of staff might be affected by dyslexia and a positive approach to enable them to make a full contribution in the workplace.
  
  
• Access for dyslexic adults to appropriate assessment and help at any stage in their lives, including those in prison.
  
  
• Screening for dyslexia as soon as young people get into trouble at school or with the law.

Contents of this site.

1. Introduction.

2. What is dyslexia?

3. Who is dyslexic?

4. Scientific findings.

5. Dyslexia and the education system.

6. How to recognise dyslexia in children.

7. Dyslexia in adults.

8. How to help.

9. External tests and examinations.

10. The way forward.

11. Finding out more.

12. Credits.