dyslexia | Page 2 of 10

A new definition of dyslexia

A new definition of dyslexia has been released following three years of research and consultation. The definition has been agreed across a broad range of expertise and is applicable across the ages. We are delighted that many members of the Helen Arkell community have contributed to this important work which will help us to support more people with dyslexia in the future.

You can view the definition here. The new definition identifies many of the same or similar underlying cognitive indicators of dyslexia, and how it impacts individuals. This means that everyone who was identified as dyslexic under the previous definition continues to meet the criteria for a diagnosis.

By Marcy Rice|2024-09-02T09:43:54+01:00May 24th, 2024|Research news|0 Comments

Opportunities to take part in dyslexia research

We have had a flurry of requests from top universities to help recruit for various dyslexia research projects. Supporting dyslexia research is an important part of what we do here at Helen Arkell because the more that is known about dyslexia, the better we can be at understanding it and providing support.

All the research projects we promote have been approved by the appropriate university ethics committees and, in turn, by us at Helen Arkell.

We have three research projects. If suitable, we would love for you to take part. Some of the projects offer a small financial reward for taking part:

Christina at London South Bank University is asking for adults aged 18 to 40 with and without dyslexia to complete a series of questionnaires and verbal and non-verbal cognitive tasks. The study takes place in a lab at London South Bank University (Elephant & Castle campus), and takes approximately 1 hour 30 minutes. The purpose of the study is to compare the performance of people with and without dyslexia on tasks and questionnaires relating to the executive function of planning. Executive functions enable us to pay attention, plan, organise and set goals, for example they enable us to plan a holiday. Christina wants to find out whether individuals with dyslexia have any strengths or difficulties when it comes to planning, organisation and time management. If difficulties are identified, future research can explore interventions and other adjustments that can be made to help the individuals. Find out more.
Jovana at the University of Surrey is looking for adolescents with reading difficulties, their parents and teachers to create a panel of experts by experience to help design a research project. Find out more.
Manon at the University of Cambridge is running a study into music perception in dyslexia. This study aims to gain a better understanding of the mechanisms underlying speech and music processing (and their potential interactions) in people with and without reading difficulties, with a view to paving the way for new methods of remediation. To carry out this project, he is looking for volunteers aged between 18 and 40 with developmental dyslexia, who are native speakers of English and who are not musicians. Find out more.

By Marcy Rice|2024-07-23T16:31:40+01:00May 13th, 2024|Research news|0 Comments

New Spotlight: AI and Dyslexia/SpLDs – How can AI support learners?

As advances in Artificial Intelligences continue, how can it help learners with dyslexia and other learning difficulties? Join Alastair Brown, Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer at AI First Talent to find out.

The Spotlight: AI and Dyslexia/SpLDs – How can AI support learners? will be held live online on Monday 10 June at 6 pm with a recording available afterwards. The live webinar will include a Q & A session. Tickets are £10.

You can find out more and book here.

See you there!

By Marcy Rice|2024-07-23T16:31:50+01:00May 13th, 2024|Course news|0 Comments

Book a Touch Typing course – Summer holiday dates

Our Touch Typing courses are aimed at children aged 6 to teens and get booked up quickly!

The course is held at our Centre in Farnham, Surrey and comprises three 90-minute sessions over three days during Summer holiday from Monday 29 July to Wednesday 31 July

Book in age ranges to suit your child:

Age 6 to 11
Age 10 to teens
Mixed ages

Being able to type quickly and accurately can make all the difference in class – especially if hand writing is a struggle.

Book here.

By Marcy Rice|2024-07-23T16:31:59+01:00May 13th, 2024|Course news|0 Comments

Level 5 and Level 7 Diplomas in Teaching Learners with Dyslexia/SpLDs and Teaching and Assessing Learners with Dyslexia/SpLDS

Join our Level 5 and Level 7 courses!

At Helen Arkell we have been successfully delivering the Level 5 and Level 7 Diploma courses for many years. Our next courses begin September 2024 and are running from the Centre in Farnham.

These are a nationally recognised qualifications and we have consistently been recognised by CPD External Verifiers as being one of the ‘gold standard’ centres for delivering these qualifications.

Our Level 5 and Level 7 courses are accredited by the CPD Standards Office and our Level 5 course is approved by Patoss (Professional Association for Teachers of Students with Specific Learning Difficulties).

We are unique in providing a very high proportion of tutor-to-candidate contact time to ensure that each candidate achieves to the very maximum of their ability.

The tutor group system at Helen Arkell encourages candidates to share their wealth of knowledge and experiences during their weekly contact with each other.

Please note that you do not need a university degree or to be a qualified teacher to attend our Level 5 course. Those looking to do Level 7 need to hold a Level 5 qualification.

Find out more:

Level 5 Diploma in Teaching Learners with Dyslexia/Specific Learning Difficulties – with teaching practice in KS2-KS1

Level 5 Diploma In Teaching Learners with Dyslexia/Specific Learning Difficulties – with teaching practice in KS2-KS3

Level 7 Diploma in Teaching and Assessing Learners with Dyslexia/ Specific Learning Difficulties

By Marcy Rice|2024-07-23T16:32:07+01:00May 13th, 2024|Course news|0 Comments

BBC Inside Our Minds – Could you take part?

Chris Packham and the BBC are looking for people with dyslexia, for a programme they will be doing soon.

If you are over 18 and have a dyslexia diagnosis, they would like to hear from you.

Take a look at the short BBC video here and email dyslexia.insideourminds@bbc.com with your name and phone number or your own video if you wish.

Good luck!

By Marcy Rice|2024-07-23T16:32:19+01:00May 12th, 2024|Research news|0 Comments

University of Surrey needs dyslexia research advisory group volunteers

Dyslexia research volunteers needed

A group of researchers in the School of Psychology at the University of Surrey are interested in adolescents’ social and emotional experiences related to reading difficulties, so that they can better support them in the future.

They would like to involve you as a group of experts by experience to ensure their dyslexia research is relevant to adolescents with reading difficulties.

Volunteers for their dyslexia research advisory groups will give feedback on the design of the research project and recruitment materials to be used in the subsequent study itself: “Understanding the mechanisms underpinning poor mental health outcomes in children with reading disorders”.

The University of Surrey team are looking for volunteers to join 3 advisory groups:

The panels will meet online about 3 times during the year for approximately an hour.

You will be asked to read some materials before these meetings.

In the meetings, you will be asked to provide your thoughts on parts of the research.

Please contact Jovana Durica at UnRAP@surrey.ac.uk if you are interested in joining the group or if you would like more information.

By Helen Arkell|2024-07-23T16:32:49+01:00April 7th, 2024|Research news|0 Comments

Big Walk for Dyslexia 2024

We’d love you to come and join us for our Big Walk for Dyslexia on the afternoon of Sunday 12 May. As last year, we will be walking in beautiful Farnham Park – just along from the Helen Arkell Dyslexia Charity in West Street in the centre of Georgian Farnham. And once again, we’re absolutely thrilled to be part of the Farnham Walking Festival.

Teddy Arkell was all set to eat every crumb of cake last year and this year we are determined not to let him, so he will be on his best behaviour and there should be plenty of tea and cake for you all after the walk, back at the Centre.

Join in wherever you are!

If you can’t attend on the day, why not do a ‘virtual’ walk for us (and virtual cake munching) and tag us as you share your photos on social media?

It’s a fun family day out, with dogs very welcome, but of course, the most important bit is that it is all to raise money to help the charity support adults and children with dyslexia and to raise awareness of dyslexia and the work we do here at Helen Arkell so we would love your support.

You can find out more and register here. See you there!

By Marcy Rice|2024-07-23T16:33:33+01:00March 26th, 2024|Fundraising news|0 Comments

New Spotlight: Assistive Technology: Practical Demonstrations

In January we ran a great Spotlight entitled Empowering Learning: The How of Assistive Technology. This Spotlight gave an overview of Assistive Technology and how it can be used to enhance learning outcomes for neurodiverse students.

People who attended this Spotlight let us know that they are also keen to see the Assistive Technology in action so, we have invited Myles Pilling and Julia Clouter back to do just this!

The Spotlight Assistive Technology: Practical Demonstrations will be held live online on Tuesday 23 April at 6 pm with a recording available afterwards. The live webinar will include a Q & A session. Tickets are £10.

You can find out more and book here

See you there!

By Marcy Rice|2024-07-23T16:34:46+01:00March 13th, 2024|Course news, Research news|0 Comments

New Spotlight on Employment Rights

New Spotlight webinar on Tuesday 12 March at 6pm.

Join Katie Harris from specialist law firm Boyes Turner to discuss the value of employing people with dyslexia and the challenges and benefits of having dyslexia in the workplace, how employment law protects people with dyslexia, and the practical steps employers can and should be taking to better support people with dyslexia and comply with their legal obligations towards them.

The webinar will include an opportunity to ask questions.

If you can’t join live, recordings will be sent out.

Book here.

By Marcy Rice|2024-07-23T16:34:55+01:00March 5th, 2024|Course news|0 Comments

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