SPELD NZ Conference
Nurturing Neurodiversity
12 & 13 April 2025
Ellerslie Event Centre
Auckland
Presentations will delve deeply into supporting neurodiversity in its many forms.
Topics will include literacy and numeracy (e.g. written expression and dyscalculia), executive function and supporting the twice exceptional student.
Presenters will include:
Dr Nathaniel Swain – teacher, instructional coach, researcher and writer.
Nathaniel is passionate about language, literacy and learning. He is a Senior Lecturer in Learning Sciences and Learning Engagement at La Trobe University’s School of Education in Australia. In 2019 Nathaniel founded a community of teachers and other educators committed to the Science of Learning Think Forward Educators
Rhonda Filmer – gifted education consultant, teacher and writer. Rhonda is the Principal Consultant at Twice Exceptional Educational Consultancy and an experienced executive function coach to support students with ADHD. Since 2014 she has been the Board Chair at the Specific Learning Difficulties Association of New South Wales.
Emma Nahna – literacy consultant, PLD facilitator and speech language therapist. Emma has a passion for literacy, oral language and sharing learning with others. She established Sound Foundations for Literacy in 2019 to provide professional support and quality teaching resources to educators and parents. As a literacy coach, she partners with Year 0-13 schools and ECE centres throughout New Zealand.
The registration link and more details on other presenters and topics will be outlined here as they are confirmed.
All are welcome. If you would like to register your interest for email updates on our 2025 conference, please contact nationaloffice@speld.org.nz
Navigating Neurodiversity in Early Childhood
A SPELD NZ Live Online Webinar Plus Q & A
Ideal for Early Childhood Educators and New Entrant Teachers
Tuesday 15 October 2024
7pm – 8.30pm
Cost $50 (Including notes)
Research shows the earlier we identify and support children with dyslexia and other specific learning disabilities (SLD), the better the outcomes. So what are the first signs and what can we do to help? This is a very practical webinar which includes children demonstrating recommended activities. It will help you:
- Understand why children with dyslexia/SLD are increasingly falling through the cracks
- Acquire expert guidance on early indicators of dyslexia/SLD
- Discover evidence-based ways to boost oral language, phonological awareness and communication skills
- Gain insights into activities hugely beneficial to early learning for children with dyslexia/SLD.
Registrations are essential, via this link. All are welcome.
If you have any queries, please feel free to contact nationaloffice@speld.org.nz
Navigating Neurodiversity at Secondary School
A SPELD NZ Online Webinar Plus Q & A for Families
SPELD NZ-trained teacher and Literacy Coordinator at Hutt Valley High School, Jamie Casley, shares her advice and expertise on:
- Transitioning to secondary school
- Communicating with classroom teachers and learning support staff
- Navigating workload and stress
- Building resilience
- Classroom accommodations
- Making the most of assistive technology and A.I.
- Special Assessment Conditions
- Changes to NCEA
- Understanding Literacy & Numeracy Co-Requisite Tests
- And much more….
This webinar was held 12 August 2024 and had outstanding feedback from those who attended. It was recorded and is now available to view.
Cost: $15 SPELD NZ Members $30 non SPELD NZ Members. This includes detailed notes.
Registrations are essential, via this link.
If you have any queries, please feel free to contact nationaloffice@speld.org.nz
SPELD NZ AGM 2024
Via Zoom
1pm – Saturday 2 November 2024
All SPELD NZ members are warmly welcome to attend our 2024 AGM. Please register your interest in attending here.
Here are some key AGM documents. Others will be uploaded as they come to hand:
Here are the important AGM dates:
10 August 2024: Remits and Nominations due
28 September 2024: Agenda, remits and nominations published
26 October 2024: Proxies due (To vote if you can’t attend.)
28 October 2024: AGM Zoom invitation circulated to registrants
2 November 2024: 1pm Zoom AGM
Top 10 things families can do at home to support their child’s literacy and numeracy
A free webinar for SPELD NZ family members
7pm – 7 November 2023
A wonderful opportunity to watch SPELD NZ Teacher Serena Driver demonstrating simple materials you can use from home to help with literacy and numeracy. She’ll also talk about excellent free online resources, decodable books and dyslexia-friendly literature. Serena will also be available to answer any questions you may have.
All SPELD NZ family members have been emailed a registration link.
NB: If you miss this webinar, please contact us for a link to the recording nationaloffice@speld.org.nz
Moving On
with Bayley Garnham & Family
A free webinar for SPELD NZ members
7.30pm – Wednesday 7 June 2023
Back by popular demand! Hear how Bailey managed to overcome the challenges of dyspraxia and dysgraphia: What worked, what didn’t and how family is at the heart of his success.
Bayley and his parents and grandparents will share their inspiring stories and advice to other families and young people.
All SPELD NZ members have been emailed a registration link.
NB: If you miss this webinar, please contact us for a link to the recording nationaloffice@speld.org.nz
SPELD NZ AGM 2023
Via Zoom
1pm – Saturday 19 August 2023
Many thanks to all SPELD NZ members who attended our 2023 AGM.
Here are the key AGM documents:
Support Webinar for SPELD NZ families
Following on from the support resources emailed to SPELD NZ families, we hosted a support webinar. If you missed it, you’re welcome to contact nationaloffice@speld.org.nz for a link to the webinar recording. NB: This is for SPELD NZ members only.
The webinar is just over an hour long and is packed with great advice on topics such as:
- Helping your child understand their struggles and feel empowered
- Ways to support your child at home through the primary, intermediate and secondary school stages
- How to use materials that can help your child with organisation e.g. planners, picture tables and post it notes
- How to best advocate for your child at school.
SPELD NZ Teacher Serena Driver and SPELD NZ Executive Officer Jeremy also answer questions at the end.
We’ll let you know the date of our next webinar which is likely to be on resource recommendations.
SPELD NZ AGM 2022
Via Zoom
1pm – Saturday 24 September
Our thanks to all SPELD NZ members who attended. Here are some of the key AGM documents:
Aidan’s Journey
A free webinar for SPELD NZ members
7pm – Tuesday 31 August 2021
(NB: If you missed this webinar, contact us for a link to the recording (SPELD NZ members only): nationaloffice@speld.org.nz
Hear Aidan Milner’s inspiring story on how he has managed to overcome the challenges of severe dyslexia and dyscalculia.
Labelled lazy by teachers, Aidan struggled through primary school. However, thanks to one-to-one lessons, some clever strategies, special accommodations and sheer grit, he thrived during his senior years at high school and at university. He now works as an engineering geologist – a feat he would never have thought possible. After Aidan has shared his story, there will be an opportunity to ask questions.
RSVP to nationaloffice@speld.org.nz
Thank you to all those who took part in SPELD NZ’s 2021 AGM.
Here are key papers from the meeting:
• SPELD NZ 2020 AGM approved minutes
• SPELD NZ audited financial statements for year ending 31 March 2021
• SPELD NZ Annual Reports for year ending 31 March 2021
• SPELD NZ 2021 Infographics
• Life Members announced AGM 2021
• SPELD NZ 2021 AGM draft minutes
Our next AGM will be held in 2022 via Zoom. We will soon let you know the date and time. All SPELD NZ members are welcome to attend.
We still have vacancies on the Board and PSC and are looking to second members until the next AGM. Please contact Executive Officer, Jeremy Drummond, if you would like to explore this option: eo@speld.org.nz or complete the nomination form.
Looking for information on SPELD NZ courses? Head to our Training pages for details on our:
- Introduction to Specific Learning Disabilities
(two-day courses open to all) - NZ Certificate in Teaching Individuals with Specific Learning Disabilities
(a 600-hour, mainly online programme) - Kōwae ako/Learning Capsules
- Assessor Training
SPELD NZ CONFERENCE 2019
LIFTING LITERACY
Empowering neurodiverse learners
Auckland – 28 & 29 September
Our thanks to all those who took part, making this SPELD NZ’s most outstanding conference to date. Our next conference will be in Auckland in 2022. We’ll post details here as soon as they come to hand.
SPELD NZ CONFERENCE 2016
Wellington
Our thanks to the wonderful lineup of guest speakers who took part in SPELD NZ’s 2016 conference in Wellington.
Download Judy Hornigold’s presentations – PPTX format
