Multisensory Learning Support and Dyslexia Assessment in Belfield
Learning Difficulties in Reading and Writing
Whom can dyslexia affect?
Approximately 1 in 10 individuals are estimated to have dyslexia, with a tendency to run in families. If you have dyslexia, it’s probable that you have a family member who also experiences it or struggles with reading and spelling.
Diagnosis of dyslexia commonly occurs during primary school, when difficulties in reading and writing start to surface. However, some individuals may not receive a diagnosis until later in life, including adulthood. Studies indicate a higher prevalence of dyslexia among boys compared to girls.
How would you define dyslexia?
As stated by 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.
Adults who develop dyslexia often experience it as a consequence of brain injury or within the context of dementia. This differs from individuals who had dyslexia but remained unidentified during childhood and adolescence. Dyslexia can have a hereditary component, and recent research has identified several genes that may contribute to its development.
https://www.ninds.nih.gov/Disorders/All-Disorders/Dyslexia-Information-Page
In the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), dyslexia is recognised as an alternative name for Specific Learning Disorder in Reading by the American Psychiatric Association.
How Does the Multisensory Approach Benefit Individuals With Dyslexia?
The NINDS states that the central focus of dyslexia treatment should be addressing the specific learning difficulties experienced by individuals. Neurosensory’s multisensory approach is supported by the International Dyslexia Association, the World Health Organization, and respected practitioners and researchers internationally.
It is founded on the groundbreaking research of Samuel Orton and Anna Gillingham, who developed effective interventions for dyslexia. The NINDS highlights the importance of individualising the approach to address the specific learning challenges of individuals with dyslexia. This approach is commonly referred to as the Orton-Gillingham approach.
Multisensory Tutoring for Dyslexia
As discussed above, traditional teaching methods are often insufficient for addressing the needs of students with dyslexia. Multisensory therapy, by contrast, capitalises on the integration of visual, auditory, and kinesthetic modalities to enhance learning outcomes.
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 MSL therapists and practitioners support 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
Available Options for Dyslexia Therapy and Tutoring
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.
Conventional Dyslexia Therapy/Tutoring
Our in-person tutoring option allows students to engage with their tutor in a controlled learning environment, minimising distractions and maximising focus. Whether they prefer one-on-one sessions or small group settings, we accommodate their needs and comfort levels.
Virtual Dyslexia Therapy/Tutoring
Online tutoring offers dyslexic students the flexibility to access assistance from anywhere, allowing them to work around their other commitments. Additionally, it provides tutors with the advantage of being able to see the student’s face as they engage with the reading material.
Are you or a loved one in need of learning support following a dyslexia diagnosis? Our team of dyslexia tutors is prepared and eager to provide assistance.
Dyslexia Assessments For Both Adults & 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.
It is recommended to arrange a hearing and vision check before seeking a dyslexia diagnosis to rule out any other factors that may be impacting reading and spelling comprehension.
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely, as long as the tutor possesses experience and expertise in research-based dyslexia interventions. That is why we prefer to use the term ‘educational therapy’ rather than ‘tutoring.’ Not all tutoring services are suitable for individuals with dyslexia or other specific learning disabilities. Some of our students had been receiving tutoring for years with minimal progress until they joined our focused therapeutic program. We provide individualised attention and the chance to address each student’s unique learning needs. Our goal is to help them develop a better understanding of themselves as learners and make progress in their educational journey.
Our services receive numerous inquiries from parents seeking dyslexia screening or a formal assessment. It is possible for your child’s primary school teacher to express concerns before you even notice any symptoms. Additionally, we receive referrals from psychologists, GP’s, paediatricians, or speech pathologists. At Neurosensory, you can make appointments for dyslexia assessments for children and adults, and if further assessment is needed, we can direct you to the appropriate provider.
When determining a diagnosis, the following areas are typically evaluated:
- Assess the individual’s background through a comprehensive history (including medical, developmental, educational, and family aspects)
- Explore the individual’s learning strengths and weaknesses
- Consider the insights and assessments provided by the child’s teacher, as well as the school’s test scores
Diagnosing dyslexia in children often requires a minimum of 6 months of targeted instruction in reading skills. However, there is no prescribed time period 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.
It’s worth noting that the signs of dyslexia can differ among individuals, with some individuals presenting several signs while others may have only 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.
See improvement with a dyslexia tutor
When tutoring dyslexic children, it is important to be patient as they often develop an aversion to learning due to a sense of inadequacy. Our approach involves incorporating games into the learning process, making it enjoyable and assisting in the retraining of the child’s brain to overcome these challenges.
Dyslexic adults, on the other hand, are often highly motivated to learn, improve, and actively engage in the process of ‘re-training’ their brains.
The progress in an individual’s reading, writing, and maths skills will vary depending on the type and severity of dyslexia, as well as the amount of practice they dedicate.
NDIS Funding 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 offers support in navigating the application process for NDIS or other funding options.
The Australian Dyslexia Foundation, a charitable organisation with fully deductible tax and gift status, strives to assist individuals who are financially unable to access necessary dyslexia remediation. While funding is presently limited, updates regarding the foundation’s ability to provide help will be communicated.
Are you eager to discover the potential of multisensory learning?
If you’re seeking dyslexia remediation, you’ve found the right resource. At Neurosensory, we are dedicated to assisting both children and adults in overcoming the learning challenges associated with dyslexia. Our team of MSL therapists and tutors will customise a program to meet your specific needs, ensuring that you can achieve your academic goals and receive the support you need moving forward.