Multisensory Learning Support and Assessment For Dyslexia in Ashbury
Learning Difficulties in Reading and Writing
Whom does dyslexia impact?
Dyslexia is estimated to affect about 1 in 10 people and often runs in families. If you have dyslexia, there’s a high chance that a family member also has it or faces difficulties with reading and spelling.
Dyslexia is typically identified during primary school as difficulties with reading and writing become evident. However, some individuals may not receive a diagnosis until later, including adulthood. Studies have revealed a higher prevalence of dyslexia in boys compared to girls.
Evaluations typically start by addressing and ruling out alternative explanations like sight and hearing concerns, followed by conducting a formal assessment for dyslexia.
What does dyslexia refer to?
As per the US National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke,
Dyslexia, a learning disability affecting reading skills, arises from brain-based factors. Despite normal intelligence, individuals with dyslexia often read below expected levels. Symptoms can vary, but common features include challenges with phonological processing (sound manipulation), spelling, and rapid visual-verbal response.
In cases of adult-onset dyslexia, it often arises due to brain injury or in the context of dementia, contrasting with individuals who were not assessed or diagnosed with dyslexia during childhood and adolescence. Dyslexia can be inherited within certain families, and recent studies have revealed specific genes that may predispose individuals to dyslexia.
https://www.ninds.nih.gov/Disorders/All-Disorders/Dyslexia-Information-Page
Specific Learning Disorder in Reading, also known as dyslexia, is acknowledged by the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5).
The Multisensory Approach to Learning With Dyslexia
According to the NINDS, the primary emphasis in treating dyslexia should be on addressing the specific learning challenges faced by individuals. Neurosensory’s multisensory approach is endorsed by esteemed organisations like the International Dyslexia Association, the World Health Organization, and leading experts and researchers around the world.
It is based on the pioneering work of Samuel Orton and Anna Gillingham in effective remediation for dyslexia. The NINDS emphasises that the approach needs to be individually tailored to meet the specific learning difficulties of the person with dyslexia. The approach is also known as the Orton-Gillingham approach.
Enhancing Multisensory Tutoring Skills for Dyslexia
As stated earlier, conventional teaching approaches may not yield desired results for students with dyslexia. Multisensory therapy, however, focuses on incorporating visual, auditory, and kinesthetic elements into the learning process.
Our multisensory approach is designed to be structured, diagnostic, cumulative, engaging, and creative. Through one-on-one or small group sessions, we prioritise maintaining maximum attention and engagement while effectively addressing the unique needs of each student.
How do our practitioners and therapists specialising in MSL approaches offer guidance and assistance to students with dyslexia?
We:
- Use an MSL/ Orton-Gillingham approach to ensure that students have a firm grasp of the connection between speech sounds, reading and spelling
- Recognise the importance of oral language for literacy
- Promote efficient handwriting but understand that technology can be a tremendous help
- Develop reading and writing from basic words to complex multisyllable words including syllable division and word building eg ba/by , in/de/pen/dent, direct-directly, direction
- Understand that older students need to develop essay writing techniques to cope with their academic demands, while giving attention to basic spelling and writing conventions
- Ask students to read aloud while tracing the words with their index finger
- Give students immediate and constructive feedback
- Are sensitive to a student becoming tired because our approach engages students continually
Dyslexia Therapy and Tutoring Choices
At Neurosensory, we provide two options for dyslexia tutoring, ensuring that students at the primary, secondary, and university levels, as well as beyond, can access the support they need.
Face-to-Face Dyslexia Therapy/Tutoring
At Neurosensory, we offer in-person tutoring where students can work closely with their tutor in a controlled learning environment. With fewer distractions, we ensure that students receive the focused attention they need, whether in one-on-one sessions or small groups.
Remote Dyslexia Therapy/Tutoring
With online tutoring, dyslexic students can conveniently receive support regardless of their location, providing flexibility to accommodate their other commitments. Moreover, tutors can benefit from the ability to observe the student’s facial expressions as they interact with the information they’re reading.
Do you or a loved one require some learning assistance as a result of a dyslexia diagnosis? Our dyslexia tutors are ready and waiting to help.
Dyslexia Evaluations for Both Adults and Children
Neurosensory employs a recognised battery of psychometric tests appropriate to the age of the person coming in for dyslexia assessment. Full written assessments are available on request. We can also provide streamlined screening for educational and vocational placement if a full report is not required.
In the course of our screening and assessment, we may discover other conditions that require referral to healthcare professionals, such as paediatricians, psychologists, speech and language pathologists, and occupational therapists.
Before seeking a dyslexia diagnosis, it’s recommended that you arrange a hearing and vision check to rule out any other problems that could be affecting reading and spelling comprehension.
Answers to Common Questions
Certainly, provided that the tutor has the necessary experience and knowledge of evidence-based dyslexia interventions. This is why we prefer the term ‘educational therapy’ over ‘tutoring.’ Generic tutoring services may not be effective for individuals with dyslexia or other specific learning disabilities. Many of our students had been attending tutoring for an extended period with limited improvement until they enrolled in our targeted therapeutic program. We offer personalised attention and the opportunity to address the specific learning needs of each student. Our aim is to help them gain a deeper understanding of themselves as learners and make meaningful progress.
Many parents contact us for dyslexia screening or formal assessments. It is not uncommon for your child’s primary school teacher to raise concerns before you become aware of any symptoms. Referrals to our services also come from psychologists, GP’s, paediatricians, or speech pathologists. You can book dyslexia assessments for children or adults at Neurosensory, and if additional assessment is required, we can provide appropriate referrals.
When forming a diagnosis, the following areas are typically taken into consideration:
- Gather a comprehensive history (including medical, developmental, educational, and family background)
- Investigate learning strengths and weaknesses
- Consider the insights and assessments provided by the child’s teacher, as well as the school’s test scores
At least 6 months of targeted instruction is usually required for diagnosing dyslexia in children, specifically for assessing their reading skills. However, no specific time period is recommended for adults.
Primary aged children are usually diagnosed with dyslexia during the first two years of school, as this is when they usually start learning to read. Although rare, it is possible for children to be diagnosed before they can read. There are also many cases of people not being diagnosed until adolescence or adulthood, as they were able to mask their symptoms growing up.
Certain warning signs of dyslexia may include delayed speech, trouble pronouncing certain words, challenges in learning the alphabet, difficulty in writing their own name, frequent errors while reading, slow and expressionless reading, avoidance of reading tasks, struggles in comprehending written material, and a limited vocabulary.
Keep in mind that some people have many signs of dyslexia, whereas others only have a few.
The Orton-Gillingham multisensory approach helps those with: ADD/ADHD (although not a formal learning disorder) Autism/ASD, Dysgraphia, Dyscalculia, Reading remediation (students without a learning disorder), Generalised learning disorders, Maths, and ESL.
Based in Campsie, we are just around the corner from Belfield, Belmore, Ashbury, Canterbury, Croydon Park, Clemton Park, Earlwood, Ashfield and Hurlstone Park.
Experience progress with a dyslexia tutor
Teaching dyslexic children often demand significant patience, as they often exhibit avoidance behaviours due to feelings of failure. Our approach incorporates learning through games, making it enjoyable and aiding in the retraining of the child’s brain to overcome these obstacles.
On the contrary, dyslexic adults are usually eager to learn, improve, and actively involved in the process of ‘re-training’ their brains.
The improvement of an individual’s reading, writing and maths skills will depend on the type of dyslexia they have, its severity, and the amount of practice they put in.
Accessing NDIS Support for Dyslexia
Dyslexia and other specific learning disorders are generally not eligible for NDIS funding unless other conditions such as Autism or Intellectual Delay are present. Unfortunately, this leaves many people with it stretched or unable to access affordable remediation. Limited help is available through mainstream educational institutions such as schools and tertiary providers, and the occasional general program may be in place. However, available programs often lack sufficient targeting, flexibility and duration to address the individual needs of people with dyslexia.
Neurosensory is dedicated to helping individuals with their applications for NDIS or other funding.
The Australian Dyslexia Foundation aims to help people who cannot afford necessary remediation for dyslexia and related conditions. It is a charity with fully deductible tax and gift status, and while funds for it are presently limited, we will update you when it is in a position to help.
Are you prepared to delve into the world of multisensory learning?
If you’re looking for dyslexia remediation, you’ve come to the right place. At Neurosensory, we are committed to helping children and adults alike overcome learning barriers posed by dyslexia. Our MSL therapists and tutors will tailor a program to suit your specific needs, ensuring that your academic goals can be reached and that you’re provided with some much-needed support in the future.