Multisensory Learning Support and Dyslexia Assessment in Croydon Park
Learning Difficulties in Reading and Writing
Who does dyslexia affect?
Statistics suggest that dyslexia affects approximately 1 in 10 individuals and tends to be hereditary. If you have dyslexia, it’s probable that you have a family member who shares the same condition or encounters challenges with reading and spelling.
Typically, dyslexia is diagnosed in primary school when challenges with reading and writing become noticeable. However, some individuals may not be diagnosed until later, even in adulthood. Research has found a greater incidence of dyslexia in boys compared to girls.
The process often begins with excluding other underlying issues, such as sight and hearing impairments, before advancing to a detailed dyslexia assessment.
How would you define dyslexia?
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.
When dyslexia develops in adulthood, it is commonly associated with brain injury or dementia, distinguishing it from cases where dyslexia was not detected or assessed during childhood and adolescence. Some families may have a hereditary predisposition to dyslexia, and recent studies have identified several genes that may play a role in its development.
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).
How Does the Multisensory Approach Enhance Learning for Individuals With Dyslexia?
According to the NINDS, the main focus of treatment for dyslexia should be on the specific learning problems of individuals. Neurosensory’s multisensory approach is endorsed by the International Dyslexia Association, the World Health Organisation, and leading practitioners and researchers worldwide.
It is rooted in the groundbreaking contributions of Samuel Orton and Anna Gillingham, who pioneered effective interventions for dyslexia. The NINDS underscores the need to tailor the approach to address the specific learning difficulties of individuals with dyslexia. This approach is commonly known as the Orton-Gillingham approach.
Multisensory Tutoring for Dyslexia
As previously mentioned, traditional teaching methods often fall short of effectively supporting students with dyslexia. Multisensory therapy, on the other hand, is rooted in the integration of visual, auditory, and kinesthetic learning experiences.
Our multisensory approach is carefully crafted to be structured, diagnostic, cumulative, engaging, and creative. By providing one-on-one or small group sessions, we can maintain a high level of attention and engagement while effectively addressing the specific 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
Available Options for Dyslexia Therapy and Tutoring
We offer two options when it comes to dyslexia tutoring, ensuring that primary, secondary, and university students and beyond are able to access the support offered by Neurosensory.
Conventional 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.
Digital 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.
Are you or someone close to you in need of learning assistance due to a dyslexia diagnosis? Our team of dyslexia tutors is standing by, ready to provide the help you need.
Assessments for Dyslexia in Adults and Children
When conducting dyslexia assessments, Neurosensory employs a recognised set of psychometric tests that are appropriate for the age of the individual. Upon request, we provide comprehensive written assessments. We also offer streamlined screening options for educational and vocational placement, catering to those who prefer a more focused evaluation.
Through our screening and assessment, we may identify additional matters that warrant consultation with healthcare professionals, such as paediatricians, psychologists, speech and language pathologists, and occupational therapists .
Before seeking a dyslexia diagnosis, it is advisable to arrange for a hearing and vision check to rule out any other underlying issues that could be influencing reading and spelling comprehension.
Commonly Asked Questions
Yes, it is possible, but it depends on the tutor’s experience and familiarity with research-based dyslexia interventions. That is why we use the term ‘educational therapy’ instead of ‘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 a long time without significant improvement until they joined our specialised therapeutic program. We provide individualised attention and tailor the approach to address each student’s unique learning needs. Our goal is to help them develop a better understanding of themselves as learners and make meaningful progress.
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)
- Evaluate the learning capabilities and limitations of the individual
- Consider what the child’s teacher says, along with test scores supplied for the school
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.
The typical timeframe for diagnosing dyslexia in primary aged children is within the first two years of school when they commence learning to read. However, there are cases where children are diagnosed prior to acquiring reading skills. Additionally, some individuals may not receive a diagnosis until adolescence or adulthood, as they may have adeptly masked their symptoms during their upbringing.
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.
Achieve growth with a dyslexia tutor
Tutoring dyslexic children often requires a great deal of patience, as they tend to have an avoidance of learning as they feel like failures. Our approach involves a lot of learning through games, which makes it fun and helps to ‘re-train’ the child’s brain and overcome these barriers.
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 typically not eligible for NDIS funding unless additional conditions like Autism or Intellectual Delay are present. As a result, many individuals with dyslexia struggle to access affordable remediation services. While some support may be available through mainstream educational institutions and general programs, these options often lack the necessary targeting, flexibility, and duration to effectively address the unique needs of individuals with dyslexia.
Neurosensory offers support in navigating the application process for NDIS or other funding options.
The Australian Dyslexia Foundation is a charitable organisation that aims to support individuals who are unable to afford necessary dyslexia remediation. It has fully deductible tax and gift status, and although funding is currently limited, updates will be provided on its ability to assist.
Are you eager to discover the potential of multisensory learning?
If you’re searching for dyslexia remediation, you’ve found the perfect solution. At Neurosensory, we are dedicated to helping individuals, both young and old, overcome the learning challenges associated with dyslexia. Our team of MSL therapists and tutors will design a program specifically catered to your unique needs, ensuring that you can achieve your academic goals and receive the support you require going forward.