What is Dyslexia Awareness Week?
Dyslexia Awareness Week is an annual event dedicated to raising awareness about dyslexia, challenging common misconceptions, and promoting a dyslexia-friendly society. It's an opportunity for educators, parents and the wider community to come together to support individuals with dyslexia and enhance their understanding of this learning difference.
When is Dyslexia Awareness Week 2024?
Dyslexia Awareness Week 2024 (DAW24) will take place from 7-13 October 2024, inclusive.
What is the theme for Dyslexia Awareness Week 2024?
The theme for DAW24 is ‘What's Your Story?’. This theme encompasses three key messages and one call to action:
- Every story is different: This highlights the diversity within the dyslexic community, emphasising that each person's experience with dyslexia is unique. With over 6.7 million dyslexic individuals in the UK (10% of the population), there are countless stories to be told.
- A strong opening sets the scene: This message underscores the importance of early identification and intervention, ensuring that every person with dyslexia has the opportunity to flourish from the start.
- It's never too late to change your story: This emphasises that support is always available, and people with dyslexia can begin a new chapter at any time with the right resources and assistance.
Understanding dyslexia
Dyslexia is a specific learning difference that primarily affects reading and writing skills. It's a lifelong condition that is neurological in origin. Here's a brief overview:
- Symptoms: Difficulties with accurate and fluent word recognition, poor spelling and decoding abilities. These challenges are often unexpected in relation to other cognitive abilities.
- Effects: Dyslexia can impact reading comprehension, vocabulary growth and general knowledge acquisition. It may also affect organisational skills, time management and memory.
- Strengths: Many individuals with dyslexia demonstrate strengths in areas such as creative thinking, problem-solving and visual-spatial abilities.
It's crucial to remember that dyslexia exists on a spectrum and how it manifests can vary greatly between individuals.
Resources for Dyslexia Awareness Week
To support teachers in creating dyslexia-friendly classrooms and raising awareness, here are some valuable resources from Teachit.
Dyslexia toolkits
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The Dyslexia toolkit for Key Stages 3 and 4 is a comprehensive 56-page resource designed to equip educators with practical strategies and understanding to support dyslexic students in mainstream classrooms. This invaluable toolkit offers a wealth of information, from neurodiversity awareness to specific reading and writing strategies, empowering teachers to create an inclusive learning environment where dyslexic students can flourish. |
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The Primary dyslexia toolkit, designed for Key Stages 1 and 2, has been meticulously developed to support class teachers and teaching assistants in mainstream classrooms. This comprehensive 63-page resource offers a wealth of information, strategies and practical tools to enable educators to create an inclusive learning environment where dyslexic pupils can access the whole curriculum and thrive. |
Dyslexia and your classroom webinar
Enhance your understanding of dyslexia support with our free, 30-minute CPD webinar, Dyslexia and your classroom: practical strategies to support students. Led by Dr Helen Ross, a respected SEN teacher, former SENCo, and trustee of the British Dyslexia Association, this informative session offers valuable insights for creating inclusive learning environments.
The webinar provides educators with practical, implementable strategies to support students with dyslexia effectively. By attending, you'll gain:
- Actionable techniques to adapt your teaching methods
- Insights into creating dyslexia-friendly classroom environments
- Understanding of how to promote inclusive learning for all students
Don't miss this opportunity to enhance your teaching toolkit and make a real difference in your students' lives. Watch the webinar now and download the accompanying free PowerPoint presentation to start implementing these strategies in your classroom today.
Teaching ideas and CPD advice for teachers
Empowering educators with practical knowledge and skills is crucial for supporting students with dyslexia. To this end, we've curated a selection of teaching ideas and CPD articles. From innovative teaching methods to the latest in assistive technology, these resources will equip you to create a more inclusive learning environment for all your students.
- 20 teaching ideas for dyslexia. This useful printable resource offers a wealth of practical strategies for educators to implement in their classrooms. From multisensory teaching techniques to memory aids, these ideas are designed to support dyslexic learners effectively whilst benefiting all students.
- Integrating dyslexia support in mainstream teaching. This CPD article equips teachers with the knowledge and skills to seamlessly incorporate dyslexia support into their everyday teaching practices. It explores inclusive strategies that can be applied across various subjects and learning environments.
- Assistive technology for writing and dyslexia. Delve into the world of technological aids designed to support dyslexic learners. This article explores a range of tools and software that can significantly enhance writing skills and boost confidence in students with dyslexia.
- Text-to-speech assistive technology for dyslexic students. Malcolm Litten, tutor, trainer and consultant in assistive technology, offers advice on a range of free tools to help dyslexic students. It equips teachers with a holistic approach to support, focusing on practical, cost-effective solutions that can be easily implemented in mainstream education settings.
- Supporting dyslexia with text-to-speech technology. This printable resource provides in-depth information on leveraging text-to-speech technology to support dyslexic learners. It offers practical advice on selecting appropriate tools and integrating them effectively into the learning process.
- Language features: ‘Young and dyslexic’. This insightful English teaching resource provides a detailed analysis of language use in dyslexia-related texts. It offers valuable perspectives on how dyslexia is portrayed and discussed, helping educators develop a more nuanced understanding of the condition and its impact on learners.
Further support
In addition to the resources above, here are some external websites and organisations that provide valuable support:
- British Dyslexia Association (BDA) - The leading organisation for dyslexia in the UK, offering information, support, and training.
- Dyslexia Action - Provides support, assessment, and training for individuals with dyslexia and professionals.
- Professional Association of Teachers of Students with Specific Learning Difficulties (Patoss) - Offers resources and support for educators working with dyslexic students.
- Dyslexia Scotland - Provides information and resources specific to Scotland.
- Helen Arkell Dyslexia Centre - Offers assessments, tuition, and courses for individuals with dyslexia and professionals.
By participating in Dyslexia Awareness Week and utilising these resources, teachers can play a crucial role in creating more inclusive and supportive learning environments for students with dyslexia. Remember, every story is different, and with the right support, individuals with dyslexia can achieve their full potential.
