Dyslexia and Dyscalculia Conference 2024: Confidence in Change

Dr. Philip Kirby - King's College London - Senior Lecturer in History of Education

Defining dyslexia: Past and present

This presentation will explore the origins of dyslexia, originally termed congenital word blindness in the Victorian period.

It will consider how definitions of dyslexia have changed since then, as well as key elements that have remained the same. It will consider possible futures for the term, as science around the concept continues to evolve.

Target Audience: General

Philip is a Senior Lecturer in History of Education at the School of Education, Communication and Society, King's College London.

His research explores social and historical understandings of specific learning difficulties, especially dyslexia and dyspraxia. His book, Dyslexia: A History (McGill-Queen’s University Press), co-authored with Prof. Margaret J. Snowling, was published in 2022.

Dr Laura Outhwaite - UCL - Principal Research Fellow (Associate Professor)

Dyscalculia Into the Future

Mathematical development is vital to children’s education, employment, and well-being. But, many children struggle to learn mathematics. 5- 14% of children have mathematical learning difficulties (MLD), including dyscalculia. Developmental dyscalculia is a persistent difficulty in understanding numbers. It can affect anyone, regardless of age or ability.

This talk will present some of the latest research on mathematical development. These findings will be discussed in light of the evolving definition of dyscalculia. Recent evidence on teachers' knowledge and awareness of dyscalculia and other specific learning difficulties will also be presented. This talk will conclude with recommendations for practitioners about how to support children with dyscalculia in the classroom.

Target Audience: Primary and Secondary

Dr Laura Outhwaite is a Principal Research Fellow (Associate Professor) at UCL's Centre for Education Policy and Equalising Opportunities (CEPEO). Her research focuses on understanding, measuring, and supporting children’s maths development, including those with mathematical learning difficulties and other special educational needs.

Dr Meesha Warmington - Senior Lecturer in Educational Psychology - University of Sheffield

Navigating the Academic Maze: Strategies for Supporting Secondary School Pupils' Academic Reading Skills

This workshop will delve into the challenges and strategies for supporting secondary school pupils in developing effective academic reading skills. Drawing on research and real-world experiences, we will explore how to foster a positive and engaging approach to reading academic texts.

Participants will leave the workshop with:

• A deeper understanding of the challenges and strategies related to academic reading.
• Practical tools and techniques to implement in their classrooms.
• A renewed commitment to supporting students in developing effective reading skills.

By attending this workshop, you will gain valuable insights and strategies to empower your students to become confident and successful academic readers.

Target Audience: Educational practitioners, teachers, and support staff working with secondary school students.

Read about: Dr Meesha Warmington

Dr. Dominic Petronzi - Senior Lecturer in Psychology - University of Derby

Maths Anxiety: Causes, Effects, and Strategies for Overcoming It

Maths anxiety is linked to lower achievement and a tendency to avoid the subject, which can significantly shape career choices and opportunities. However, our understanding of how and why maths anxiety develops is still emerging. Research suggests that it often originates from early experiences with maths, with some children experiencing performance declines as early as age 4. This session will explore some of the key factors contributing to the onset and persistence of maths anxiety, and the influence of emotions and cognitive effects. We’ll also discuss some research informed approaches for managing attitudes and emotions related to maths.

Target Audience: Primary, Secondary, FE, and HE Educators, as well as parents of children and young people.

Read about: Dr Dominic Petronzi

Carol Handyside - Tutor, Trainer and Assessor of Dyscalculia

Maximising Potential Through Meaningful Maths Manipulatives

A hands-on, interactive workshop about how to draw on strengths and needs is highlighted in an assessment to inform an individualised mathematics teaching programme. It will explore practical strategies for supporting learners with dyslexia or
dyscalculia enabling them to thrive in the maths classroom. An opportunity to try out new mathematics teaching tools and explore different strategies, this presentation is mainly suitable for Primary teachers, but the principles are applicable for secondary
teachers too.

Target Audience: Primary, Secondary, FE/HE Learners

Read about: Carol Handyside

Armande Fryatt - Director at Assessment for Dyslexia Ltd

The use of the TOD in Diagnostic Assessment

Armande Fryatt presents a brand new seminar on the use of the TOD in diagnostic assessment. Armande will use her experience as a specialist assessor and member of STEC to talk through how to use the results of the TOD to write a diagnostic assessment report according to the SASC approved report format.

Target Audience: Specialist Assessors

Read about: Armande Fryatt

Lynn Lovell - BDA Head of Professional Standards

Delving into Delphi: A look at the new definition and the key area of orthographic skills

This workshop will review the Delphi definition of dyslexia (2024) and compare it to The Rose definition (2009), identifying similarities and differences. A key area of focus will be the introduction of the term ‘orthographic skills.’

Delegates will explore what orthography is, how it impacts learning and the signs of orthographic difficulties. Links will be made to how to identify and report on orthographic difficulties during a full assessment for dyslexia.

Target Audience: Qualified dyslexia or dyscalculia assessors (all ages)

Read about: Lynn Lovell

Samantha Maylor-Wrout - BDA Level 5 Dyslexia Course Leader & Gaynor Foy - BDA Level 5 Assistant Course Leader

Specialist Teaching - using multisensory methods

Multisensory learning involves engaging multiple senses—sight, sound, touch, and sometimes taste or smell—to enhance the learning experience. This approach helps improve memory, understanding, and retention by providing diverse ways to process and connect information, making learning more effective and engaging for various learning styles.

This interactive multisensory workshop will cover a range of ideas to help support both pre and post 16 learners. This session will incorporate activities that engage multiple senses through the use of visual aids, hands-on materials, auditory resources, and interactive experiences. It will give suggestions to encourage learners to touch, see, hear, and move during lessons. Combining these sensory inputs helps reinforce concepts, catering to different learning styles and improving overall comprehension and retention.

Target Audience: Primary, Secondary, FE/HE Learners

Read about: Samantha Maylor-Wrout
Read about: Gaynor Foy

Catherine Parfitt - BDA Head of Accredited Training and Dyslexia Specialist Trainer & Amanda Hornby - BDA Onsite Trainer

Assistive Technology to Enable, Access and Empower

Assistive Technology (AT) can be a valuable tool in enabling those with dyslexia, dyscalculia or other neurodivergent needs to perform tasks they may find challenging. It also has the capacity to empower individuals through the development of independence and lifelong skills.

This session will explore different accessibility tools, including those that are free or easily available through existing devices. It will look at using AT to support individual needs and consider how AT can be used in the classroom and to prepare for different stages of education and work.

This session is suitable for specialist teachers, assessors and dyslexia/dyscalculia support professionals, across all age groups.

Target Audience: All age groups

Read about: Catherine Parfitt

Read about: Amanda Hornby