Every year, thousands of New Zealanders are diagnosed with a specific learning difficulty (SLD). Despite their struggles in the education system, getting the help they need can transform their lives.
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Diagnosed with severe dyscalculia as a child, Isabelle went on to become a makeup artist and support others who struggle with numbers.
Dyslexic Professor Emeritus David Mellor looks back on the “phenomenal impact” of his tutor 70 years ago.
Training as a SPELD NZ Teacher overhauled Pip Coombes’ entire approach to teaching literacy.
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.
New employee, Aidan Milner, recommends total honesty and not shying away from support to level the playing field.
For Summer Riley, a diagnostic assessment lifted a huge emotional toll and enables access to extra support at university.
Former SPELD NZ student Tadhg Norgrove is poised to become a clinical psychologist and help others who struggle with life.
Indie-pop sensation Benee embraces her dyslexia and the difference it brings.
What drives someone with learning difficulties to become a teacher? Former SPELD NZ student Elizabeth Luoni Verkleij shares her journey.
After a lifetime of frustration, 62-year-old Hamish Shoebridge has finally learnt how to read and write.
Meet Irene Fagan – one of our earliest teachers in the 1970s when dyslexia was virtually unheard of.
Aidan Milner soared through university despite severe dyslexia and dyscalculia. Here’s why.
Know how your brain functions, and what makes it click. That’s the advice of Dr Kyle Whitfield who once floundered with dyslexia at school.
Russell Campbell is living proof that it’s never too late to get help for dyslexia.
As a child, Joan Rusden knew she wanted to be a SPELD teacher, supporting dyslexic learners like herself.
In an ideal world, SPELD NZ would be redundant by now. In reality, we have never been busier.
SPELD NZ training equipped primary school teacher Katie Knight with “life changing” knowledge.
What’s it like to discover that you have ADHD as an adult? Simon Herbst shares his journey.
“As a family it was breaking us.” Katie Knight finds the game-changer in her son’s life.
Ryan Attwood used to tune out at school. Learning vital skills has unleashed his creativity and motivation to learn.
SPELD NZ’s Financial Assistance programme enabled Ella Barnes to get the support she needed to overcome her learning difficulties.
Alisha Moser learned to make the most of her strengths as a visual learner and eventually become an architect and author.
Olivia Bollen struggled at school but now considers her dyslexia a gift in her chosen career.
As a 12-year-old, Nick Calder could hardly write. Now he’s in China doing his entire master’s degree in Mandarin.
Ingrid Norgrove used to dread that her son would end up in prison. Now she couldn’t be prouder.
An Auckland mother, and SPELD NZ Teacher, shares the story of her twice-exceptional son.
Deirdre Coleman describes the SPELD NZ support helping her son manage his huge difficulties with maths.
