Understanding Dyslexia

Unless you yourself or someone close to you has dyslexia or if you teach those with the learning difficulty, it is often misunderstood and can actually go undiagnosed for some time, as it is seen as an “invisible” difficulty.

Developmental Dyslexia (more commonly known as simply “Dyslexia”) is a Specific Learning Difficulty that affects the way the brain processes language, making it difficult for those affected to acquire skills in reading, writing and spelling, though it does not affect a person’s intelligence. The Understanding Dyslexia Diploma Course begins by introducing students to dyslexia, how those with the condition are affected, and the causes.

We discuss ‘Specific Learning Difficulty (SpLD)’ and how those with dyslexia are often affected by more than just the one condition. Here other SpLDs are outlined and students will learn how they can recognise and support a child with these various conditions.

As students begin to understand how a child with dyslexia may be feeling, the course also shows how to support children emotionally, with tools and techniques to increase their self-worth and regain positivity.

You will learn how to identify and diagnose dyslexia in both children and adults. This includes common behaviours that can be noted in undiagnosed children, including how they often hide symptoms, as well as various tests that can be undertaken.

The Understanding Dyslexia Diploma Course informs students about the importance of inclusion and what this means. Also in this module Special Educational Need or Disabilities in the law are discussed, both from parents and educational establishment’s point of view, and how the relationship between both can benefit the child.

At the point which a child is diagnosed with dyslexia and is receiving an education adapted to his or her needs, it is important for their educators (both in school and at home) to understand literacy. The course talks in great depth about literacy and includes discussion on the importance of literacy, methods to teach the subject, the various parts of the subject, and includes various studies into the topic.

You will learn key areas that those with dyslexia can struggle with and shows how they can be overcome. These are Memory, Concentration, and Organisation, as well as an additional section named ‘Other Strategies that can Help’.

More specifically the course will benefit parents who either have a dyslexia-diagnosed child or think that their child may have the condition or the other SpLDs (Specific Learning Difficulty) covered in the course. Educators at all levels will also learn a lot from the course and being at the forefront of education are in the unique position to recognise symptoms and to either alter their teaching or aid children and their parents to find appropriate learning opportunities.

Similarly, anyone already working with dyslexic children, or who would like to, could gain a lot from enrolling on this course.