Author Archives: help4dyslexia

20.5.22 Graphemes, Phonemes, Self Esteem and Training Sessions

Phonemes and Graphemes Do you know the difference? I know I specialise in dyslexia, but what is helpful for the dyslexic learner is beneficial to ALL learners. A lot of the explicit teaching used in dyslexic programmes is needed in everyday reading and spelling programmes. There are, however, a lot of misunderstandings amongst children andContinue reading “20.5.22 Graphemes, Phonemes, Self Esteem and Training Sessions”

Mental Health Awareness Week 9.5.22

I think most of us have days when we don’t feel we are good enough or cannot get things right. If we have other difficulties or problems, then these feelings can multiply. Low self esteem is especially common in those who have specific learning differences and these individuals and their familes can often feel veryContinue reading “Mental Health Awareness Week 9.5.22”

2.5.22 Phonics, Training and Zooms

I hope you all had a lovely Easter. These months are rushing past and I can’t believe it is May already. This week, I wanted to chat about phonics, training (both for the student and the professionals), touch typing and some zoom visits from Puffin authors. It is useful to explain to individuals when toContinue reading “2.5.22 Phonics, Training and Zooms”

14.4.22 Happy Easter!

Just a quick update this week regarding ‘Dyslexia Thinking’, an Easter offer on Nessy programes and details of some SEN training. If you are dyslexic and have a Linkedin profile, you can now add ‘Dyslexic Thinking’ as one of your skills. In fact, the phrase ‘Dyslexic Thinking’ is now going to be added to Dictionary.comContinue reading “14.4.22 Happy Easter!”

6.4.22 Reading and spelling strategies

Syllables For reading and writing longer words, chunking into syllables has always been the definite way to go! (Ok, I know I may have mentioned this quite a few times before, but it is so essential!) An awareness and knowledge of vowels is also important, as each time we count the syllables in a word,Continue reading “6.4.22 Reading and spelling strategies”

28.3.22 Reading and spelling cards

Last week, I was asked if I could explain more about teaching using reading and spelling cards as these are an important part of a dyslexic reading and spelling programme, but can actually be used for all children. Reading and spelling cards have proven to be effective to help all learners read and spell, becauseContinue reading “28.3.22 Reading and spelling cards”

23.3.22 Dysgraphia

What is Dysgraphia? This week, I wanted to write a little about dysgraphia, which is characterized by writing difficulties and can occur on its own or alongside another learning difficulty such as dyslexia. So what does dygraphia mean? Dysgraphia is a Greek word. The prefix dys indicates that there is a difficulty and graph refers to producing letter formsContinue reading “23.3.22 Dysgraphia”

14.3.22 Phonological awareness

I usually compare the skills of phonological awareness with laying the foundations of a house, because the art of learning to read and write is built on these important listening skills. The introduction to phonological awareness is usually classed as ‘Phase one’ in phonics development and should begin to be taught at nursery/preschool age soContinue reading “14.3.22 Phonological awareness”

Dyslexia and Nessy 8.3.22

International Women’s Day Today is International Women’s Day and on the British Dyslexia Association’s youtube channel, dyslexia amabassador Adelle Tracey shares what this day means to her. Nessy I regularly use the fabulous Nessy computer programme when working with students who find reading or spelling tricky and Nessy.com really advocate for dyslexic individuals. The companyContinue reading “Dyslexia and Nessy 8.3.22”