Recommended software suppliers:

www.realspecial.co.nz

www.itecnz.co.nz
 

Books

Davis, Ron, 1997

The Gift of Dyslexia

Perigee

A powerful analysis of dyslexia, with especial emphasis on visual thinking skills, and startling solutions to learning problems.  Davis also argues that using all the senses is quicker than verbal thinking, and that many dyslexics have an advantage - a gift.

Dowrick, Peter, 2005

Specific Learning Disabilities Information and Advice for Parents

SPELD NZ, available from D.Grant, Chamberlain Road, Rd 8, Masterton 5888

Easy introduction

Green, Christopher & Chee, Kit 1994

Understanding ADD and Understanding ADHD

Sydney, Doubleday

Both books are easy to follow and well illustrated

Hampshire, Susan 1981

Susan's Story

Sedgewick & Jackson

A charming autobiography

Hornsby, Dr. Bevé, 1987

Overcoming Dyslexia Methuen

Symptoms, practical advice for teacher and caregivers, tips for coping, case studies, Optimistic and helpful

Hultquist Alan. M. 2006

An Introduction to Dyslexia for Parents and Professionals

Jessica Kingsley Publishers, London

Up to date and crystal clear explanation with plenty of advice. 

Levine, Mel, 1992

All Kinds of Minds, Keeping A Head in School

Cambridge USA, Educators Publishing Service

A novel approach, for young readers: vivid fictional anecdotes of five characters with different learning disorders.  Children learn about how to cope.  The last chapter gives a non-fiction summary.

McGuinness, Diane, 1999

Why Children Can't Read and What We can Do about It

USA, Touchstone

McGuinness argues that dyslexia and ADD are not neurological but stem from inappropriate reading instruction. She advocates a return to phonics based teaching

Nicholson, Tom, 1997

Solving Reading Problems across the Curriculum

Wellington, NZCER

Practical remedies for helping intermediate and secondary students in reading

Pheloung, Barbara (3 books)

Helping Your Child to Learn

Help Your Class to Learn

Overcoming Learning Disabilities

Tortoiseshell Press

Lively treatment of the subject with a strong accent on improving co-ordination.

Pollock, Joy and Walker, Elizabeth, 1994

Day to Day Dyslexia in the Classroom

Routledge

Very useful manual for classroom teachers.  Practical advice on co-ordination, language, literacy and numeracy

Reid, Gavin, 2003

Dyslexia: A Practitioner's Handbook

USA, John Wiley & Son

Describes changes in definition and assessment of dyslexia and in recent educational policy.  It covers learning styles, secondary school aspects, dyslexia throughout the lifespan, advice on teaching.

Nicholson, Tom, 2005

Phonics Handbook

U.K., Whurr Publishers

A gold-mine of instant-use lesson plans to assist reading in ESOL, special needs, motivational and ADD students.  It covers basic alphabet sounds to blends, digraphs, syllable breaking, and decoding Latin and Greek words.  Each lesson is followed by a worksheet for students.  Suggestions for diagnosis and remedy are given, and for reporting to parents.

Serfontein, Gordon, 1998

The Hidden Handicap: How to Help Children Who Suffer from Dyslexia, Hyperactivity and Learning Difficulties

Australia, Simon Schuster

Popular wide-ranging well written and illustrated introduction with good summaries.

Shaywitz, Sally E, 2005

Overcoming Dyslexia,

A New and Complete Science Based Programme for Reading Problems at any Level

USA, Vintage Books

Thorough, practical, science-based information and advice, given in clear language. 

Silverman, Linda Kreger,  2002

Upside Down Brilliance The Visual Spatial Learner

USA, Deleon

Most people learn, by spoken explanation, idea by idea, in the right order, before they see the big picture.  "Visual spatial learner" see the big picture immediately and don't need the details first.  They think in pictures - layouts, maps, networks, diagrams - rather than in sequences, and they learn not by listening but by looking. 

Wells, Lois, 2004

I'm Not Stupid, Lazy or Dumb: Aspects of Specific Learning Disabilities

NZ Frazer Books, available from D.Grant, Chamberlain Road, Rd 8, Masterton 5888. A wide-ranging review of dyslexia, including refernce to the work of SPELD NZ.
 

Websites

www.idonline.org (very comprehensive)

www.speld.org.nz SPELD NZ

www.dyslexics.net  information for dyslexics

www.dyslexic.com (the positive aspects)

www.interdys.org International Dyslexia Association

www.autismuk.com Autism Independent UK

www.learningstaircase.com  Specialist resources and information

www.dyspraxia.org Dyspraxia Support Group of NZ

www.adhd.org.nz NZ website on attention deficits

www.lbctnz.co.nz Learning & Behaviour Charitable Trust

www.adhd.org.nz ADHD support