If you suspect your child has a learning difficulty, you’re not alone! Every year, thousands of children throughout New Zealand are diagnosed with dyslexia and other specific learning disabilities (SLD).
Our Assessors and Teachers are trained to assess, teach and support children with a wide range of learning disabilities, including dyslexia, dysgraphia and dyscalculia. Our qualified teachers work one-to-one with students, creating an individual learning plan to suit each child, based on the findings of his or her assessment. For those who struggle with literacy, our teachers use evidence-based programmes grounded in phonemic and phonological awareness, reflecting the Science of Reading.
“In Year 5 his and our world crumbled as his undiagnosed dyslexia took a full grip over our lives. Thank goodness for good advice, and an amazing SPELD tutor who helped us. I was in awe.”
“We are so grateful to SPELD. Our granddaughter has truly benefited from the ongoing support. Awesome frontline service and warm caring advice.”
Assessment and teaching are just a part of what we do: we also offer a range of helpful resources and courses for families and caregivers of children with SLD/dyslexia.
Go to this page on our website to get assessment and/or tuition underway.
Students, families, teachers and assessors explain the enormous benefits of SPELD NZ support.
SPELD NZ Teacher, Lynne Ashman, describes the thrill of being able to transform a child’s life
I suspect my child has a specific learning disability such as dyslexia
If you’re concerned that your child may have a learning difficulty, complete this quick checklist. If you tick more than 3 or 4 boxes, we suggest you contact us to discuss a diagnostic assessment.
I want to find out more about specific learning difficulties
Dyslexia is the most commonly known specific learning disability (SLD) but there are others that can have a dramatic impact on a child’s capacity to learn. SPELD NZ also works with children struggling with dysgraphia, dyscalculia, dyspraxia and ADHD.
I know my child has an SLD. What are the next steps?
A SPELD NZ assessment is an essential first step in really understanding your child’s learning needs. It can be a turning point in a child’s life, enabling parents and schools to understand what is going on and organise effective, targeted support.
How do I arrange SPELD NZ tuition?
If your child’s assessment indicates a need for our one-on-one tuition, we can put you in touch with a SPELD NZ Teacher. The teacher will create a highly individualised learning plan, based on the findings of the assessment.
My school doesn’t understand or cope with my child’s learning needs
We highly recommend you share your SPELD NZ assessment report with your child’s classroom teacher and request a meeting with the school’s SENCO (Special Education Needs Coordinator). It’s important that the school understands your child’s particular learning issues so that they can try to accommodate your child’s learning needs in the classroom.
I want to learn how to understand and better support my child
We run courses for parents and caregivers, and have a wealth of resources you are welcome to borrow. You can also follow our Facebook page for support and advice.
Frequently asked questions by parents and caregivers
If you have serious concerns about your child’s learning abilities, the first vital step is a full diagnostic assessment. Once we’ve received your SPELD NZ membership fee and enrolment forms, we can refer you to one of our SPELD NZ Assessors.
We use the internationally recognised Woodcock-Johnson assessment. This can take up to four hours and is often split into two sessions. It identifies intellectual and educational strengths and weaknesses, and evaluates the skills involved in effective learning, such as:
- Language and auditory skills
- Visual skills and spatial awareness
- Speed of processing
- Short and long term memory
- Reading, spelling and mathematics
- Handwriting
- Co-ordination and organisation
- Attention, concentration and academic fluency
The report is written for both parents and professionals so it includes some technical language. However a clear summary is included and your SPELD NZ Assessor will be happy to answer any questions.
The assessment report will also help educational professionals working with you/your child to target the areas of weakness. It may also help your child access Special Assessment Conditions (SAC) in NCEA and Cambridge exams.
Please note: While the assessment does not diagnose behavioural conditions such as ADHD or ADD or Spectrum Disorders, assessors may note indications of these.
If the Assessor’s report recommends one-to-one tuition, the next step is to contact us. We have a national network of SPELD NZ Teachers and will aim to refer you to one who is based as close as possible to where you live. Usually lessons are one hour, once a week, during school terms. Teachers normally work from their homes but can sometimes they can work within schools. We have some teachers who can also work online.
All our teachers are qualified classroom teachers who’ve passed our 600-hour, NZQA-approved training course. Based on the assessment findings, they develop an individualised one-on-one teaching programme which uses a student’s strengths to build up their weaknesses. For students who struggle with literacy, our teachers use evidence-based programmes emphasising phonemic and phonological awareness. These reflect the Science of Reading.
Membership Fees
As a charitable organisation, we ask all members to pay an annual membership fee, which helps to cover our operating expenses. Our membership fees (whether individual or for the entire family) are:
With community services card in name of parent /caregiver
- $75 for first year
- $75 each following year to renew
Without community services card
- $120 for the first year
- $120 each following year to renew
NB: All membership fees include GST.
Benefits of membership include a discounted rate for our SPELD NZ assessments and tuition, our magazine several times a year, free use of our library resources, discounted rates for our introductory courses and the ability to apply for financial support for those with proof of low income.
Please note we receive no government funding. We rely on memberships, donations and fundraising to maintain our services to the community.
Assessments
Our members pay teachers and assessors directly for their services. The assessment includes time, materials, the analysis of the result and the full report. Please check our current Information Pack to see their range in fees. You are also welcome to call us to find out more specific information about the availability and costs for assessment and tuition in your region: 0800 773 536
SPELD NZ continually fundraises to help subsidise our services for those on low incomes.
We may be able to provide financial assistance for assessment and tuition if you have a current Community Services Card or can provide evidence of low income or hardship. Please call us to find out whether you’re eligible for financial assistance on 0800 773 536.
Learning issues are often a sign that a child’s brain works differently. We know from experience that the earlier the one-on-one specialised support, the better the outcome. SPELD NZ aspires to very high professional standards and we use proven, research-based methods to greatly enhance learning outcomes for children with dyslexia.
The University of Auckland’s Associate Professor of Psychology, Karen Waldie, noted that SPELD NZ intervention resulted in “vast improvements in thinking ability, cognitive fluency and processing speed”.
What’s more, the New Zealand Journal of Educational Studies published the research findings, noting the improvements were “testament to the ability of the brain to be modified, presumably via strengthened neural connectivity.”
The Woodcock-Johnson assessment is used to test for dyslexia and other specific learning disabilities in pre-schoolers to those in their 90s. Research shows many benefits of early identification and intervention. However, parents/caregivers of children aged under 7 to 8-years-old should note that it’s difficult to make a definitive diagnosis of dyslexia and other specific learning disabilities for this age group.
However, the assessment can identify where difficulties are likely and the assessor can make suggestions to help future learning. Individual lessons can still help a child under 7 to 8-years-old who is significantly behind in reading. A firm diagnosis can usually be made for children aged over 7 to 8 years, by which time they should have mastered the basics of literacy and numeracy.
The time taken for an assessment depends on the capabilities of the person being assessed, (e.g. their age, processing speed and attention span) and the purpose of the testing. The assessment may be split into two sessions: your assessor will discuss this with you.
Usually the parent doesn’t stay during the assessment. Please talk with your assessor before the assessment if you feel that, because of special circumstances, you should attend the assessment sessions.
The report should be available within three weeks of the assessment date. The report will be sent to the person who has paid for the assessment, unless other arrangements are made.
Our assessments are recognised by NZQA for Special Assessment Conditions (SAC) for exams such as NCEA.
Due to NZQA’s SAC requirements, extra testing may be needed and this could mean extra time and costs.
Your SPELD NZ Assessor will discuss these with you prior to the assessment taking place. It is important to note that the assessment report is only one part of the SAC application. The school is responsible for making SAC applications and NZQA makes the final decision.
We strongly recommend that vision and hearing tests are done before assessment so that these issues can be ruled out as barriers to learning. Hearing and vision tests may be available free of charge for Community Services Card holders or some audiologists and opticians provide simple hearing and vision tests for free.
If the assessment is needed for SAC (Special Assessment Conditions) for exams, you should ask your SPELD NZ Assessor what information the school should provide.
If the Assessor’s report recommends one-to-one tuition, the next step is to contact us. We have a national network of SPELD NZ Teachers and will aim to refer you to one who is based as close as possible to where you live. Usually lessons are one hour, once a week, during school terms. Teachers normally work from their homes but can sometimes they can work within schools. We have some teachers who can also work online.
All our teachers are qualified classroom teachers who’ve passed our 600-hour, NZQA-approved training course. Based on the assessment findings, they develop an individualised one-on-one teaching programme which uses a student’s strengths to build up their weaknesses. For students who struggle with literacy, our teachers use evidence-based programmes emphasising phonemic and phonological awareness. These reflect the Science of Reading.
Personal Stories
Find out how SPELD NZ has helped both children and adults overcome their struggles with dyslexia and other specific learning disabilities.
Christchurch IT product innovator Christian Sax describes his lifelong struggles with dyslexia and what he’s learned along the way.
Dyslexic Professor Emeritus David Mellor looks back on the “phenomenal impact” of his tutor 70 years ago.
Bayley Garnham’s struggles all made sense when he was diagnosed with dyspraxia and dysgraphia at the age of 12. Family support played a crucial role in his success.
Former SPELD NZ student Tadhg Norgrove is poised to become a clinical psychologist and help others who struggle with life.
