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Characteristics of Learning
Problems/Dyslexia
Pre Schoolers
- Slow development of speech
- Scrambled pronunciation of words
- Difficulty learning nursery rhymes
- Reluctance to play with puzzles
- Difficulty with rhythmical tasks
- Clumsiness
Children
- Difficulty following instructions
- Difficulty with explaining time, organisation, direction
- Difficulty learning times tables, days of week, months of
year
- Letter and word reversals
- Large discrepancy between written/verbal language and
between academic achievement and general knowledge
Adults
- Difficulty following lengthy spoken instructions
- Slow responses to spoken information
- Poor organisational or time keeping skills
- Difficulty reading telephone numbers, dates and names
- Confusion with left/right
- Slow inaccurate reading, poor spelling
Effects in a Learning
Environment
School is often a difficult
place. Without support and understanding, students may develop
inappropriate behaviours which get all the attention while the
underlying disability is undetected and ignored. Results may be
confusion, frustration, anger, withdrawal, family disruptions, emotional
distress, delinquency and problems with the law.
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What Can Caregivers Do?
- Remember - knowing more about the problem will enable you
to understand and help
- Talk it over with the class teacher
- Have hearing checked
- Have eye sight checked by an optometrist
- Discuss the problem with the family doctor or
paediatrician
- Contact SPELD
How Can SPELD Help?
SPELD members include
families and psychologists, readers and teachers trained in dyslexia and
specific learning difficulties. SPELD is an acronym for Specific
Learning Disabilities.
Clients range in age from young to old. Symptoms range from mild to
severe.
SPELD testers can identify strengths and weaknesses. Tutors then plan
remedial programmes which can include reading, maths, memory skills and
motor co-ordination. Early diagnosis is a definite advantage.
SPELD can provide assessments and one-to-one tutoring with specially
trained teachers. New Zealand certificated teachers can train as SPELD
tutors. Regional and distance courses are available. To find out more
about SLD/dyslexia, contact your local branch
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