make
your
mark
Make your mark in the world
"Dyslexia never stopped Da Vinci or Einstein. It's not stopping you."
Quote from Doctor Who (The Hungry Earth: Series 5, Episode 8).
Let me help you make your mark in the world.
What is dyslexia?
Dyslexia is a specific learning difficulty that primarily affects the skills involved in accurate and fluent word reading and spelling. This can impact on literacy development, mathematics, memory, organisation and sequencing skills to varying degrees. Characteristic features of dyslexia are difficulties in phonological awareness, verbal memory and verbal processing speed (Rose, 2009).
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The British Dyslexia Association have a great deal of information about dyslexia on their website. http://www.bdadyslexia.org.uk
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They provide a list of indicators of dyslexia for different age groups. If a child or young person has several of these indications, further investigation should be made. The child may be dyslexic, or there may be other reasons. This is not a checklist, but you can access this list at - http://www.bdadyslexia.org.uk/parent/indication-of-dyslexia
How can I help?
I can provide:
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Formal dyslexia assessments,
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Dyslexia screening assessments,
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Specialist tutoring,
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Training for professionals,
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Workshops on neurodiversity to children,
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Support for SENCos and families with all SEND needs.
I offer these services across Hampshire, Surrey, Berkshire, West Sussex or Dorset.
Dyslexia services and home support:
My specialism is in assessing and supporting young people with dyslexia. Every child with dyslexia is unique, and it is important to understand a child's strengths and challenges to ensure the child has the right support. I undertake thorough assessments with practical recommendations to be used at school and at home. As part of the assessment process I include a free assessment review meeting.
As an experienced SENDco and specialist teacher I have worked with a range of children with additional needs, so I am able to support families with all areas of SEND, from children who have autism to emotional understanding and regulation needs. I am able to help with understanding reports, making applications or referrals, applying for an EHCP (Educational, Health and Care Plan), giving support for meetings or recommending strategies to use at home and at school.
School and Professional support:
I deliver training and workshops to school staff and professionals on how to support young people with literacy difficulties in the classroom. I offer development days which includes a dyslexia audit, action planning and a workshop. This helps develop a dyslexic friendly environment, highly effective teaching and develop appropriate interventions.
I also offer workshops to pupils to help them understand what neurodiversity is, particularly with dyslexia. They understand that brains are different and this should be celebrated.
I am able to work with staff to set up appropriate dyslexia interventions to support the reading and writing development of the lowest 20%.
Dyslexia Assessments
About Me
My name is Emma Saunders. I am a qualified teacher with a PGCE (Postgraduate Certificate in Education), QTS (Qualified Teacher Status), AST (Advanced Skills Teacher status) and hold the National Award in Special Educational Needs Coordination Certificate. I also have professional and associate membership of The British Dyslexia Association (AMBDA) and a Level 7 PGCertEd: Working with Children with Literacy Difficulties.
I am leadership within a large primary school so understand the polices and procedures needed to get the best support.
I have over twenty years’ experience working at schools in Berkshire, across London, and in Hampshire.
I am DBS checked, hold professional indemnity insurance and I am registered with the data protection agency.
Why use a specialist teacher?
Traditionally, only Educational Psychologists could assess people, but now specialist teachers have been trained to assess students and provide the same detailed reports. A specialist teacher can then take the assessment material and plan support and interventions, building on the student's strengths and supporting any difficulties. This can maximise learning.
'Now I get it! I have never understood that before!' This quote was from a child I teach online. May 2020
Screening:
I am able to screen (simple assessments to investigate the possibility of dyslexia without a diagnosis) children age 6 years up to the age of 16 years. If you are worried about your child's progress at school, then your child maybe part of the 10% of the population who is showing signs of a Specific Learning Difficulty. Screenings are quick and will give an indicative score as to the likelihood of your child being 'at risk'. They focus on 3 key areas; phonological processing, auditory sequential memory & phonics decoding skills. Remember, you don't need a full diagnosis to start a successful intervention. That is what screening is all about. Support can then be put into place.
Full Diagnostic Assessments:
Schools and individuals who contact me often have an idea that the child in question is dyslexic. They may have experience of other members of their family having similar problems, or have been advised by their school that dyslexia is suspected. Sometimes screening tests have been carried out at school which show possible dyslexia.
A full diagnostic assessment is the only way to know for certain whether this is the case. It can be helpful for all concerned as recommendations made can guide parents and school to support the child effectively. Children can often feel that they are ‘stupid’ and a diagnosis and appropriate mentoring can show them the strengths and potential they have.
Assessment Reports for Dyslexia include:
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Detailed professional assessments
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Outlines Access arrangements for exams
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Reader friendly and easy to understand
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Helping teachers/lecturers to tailor individual learning
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Suggestions for dyslexia friendly teaching
The assessment will take between 2.5-3 hours to complete. Prior to the assessment parents and schools will be asked to fill in a background information questionnaire. The assessment comprises of a series of tests to measure current levels of reading, spelling, handwriting, maths, phonological awareness, memory skills, speed of processing and visual and verbal ability.
Within three weeks of the assessment a detailed report will be emailed to either the school or parents. This report will confirm the diagnosis. Recommendations will be made for support and it will also recommend any access arrangements for exams, such as extra time, reader or scribe. Recommendations may be made for any areas which require further investigation, such as visual stress, dyspraxia or ADHD. These assessments are an important step to the child learning to manage and cope with dyslexia.
Tutoring
A pupil centred approach
Lessons are built around how the student likes to learn, knowledge of the student from assessments and follow on work is provided between lessons. Sessions for parents can be provided so they can support the students learning.
I start off by building a good relationship so that the young person feels ready and confident to learn. A Multi-sensory approach to learning is used based on the Orton-Gillingham philosophy as research shows this is the most effective approach. All tutoring comes in blocks, that way there is room for continuous review. The work undertaken can be measured, as all young people start with a 'placement' test which is then reviewed at the end of each piece of 'block work'.
Location
I cover Winchester and the surrounding areas. I am able to come to your home so that the student feels comfortable and ready to learn.
Online tutoring
Online tutoring is now available. It follows the same multi-sensory structure of a one to one lesson. As part of this package you will receive a pack of multi-sensory tools to be used during lessons.
Testimonials
“Emma made lessons fun and engaging for my daughter. She looked forward to her lessons each week. We were delighted when she was able to get into the school of her choice due to this extra support. I have seen her grow in confidence. ” - Jenny (June 2018)
"Our daughter felt at ease when completing the assessments as originally she was a little anxious. Emma talked through the assessments and answered all our questions. She gave us lots of ways that we could support our daughter at home and recommendations for her school. We were really happy with the whole process." - Laura (June 2019)
"Thank you for your support with Sarah. The lessons were fun and it was nice to see other skills included in the lessons such as handwriting and ways to support memory. She always looks forward to your lessons." Fiona (Sept 2019)
"Some of the best INSET training I have seen for a long time" Deputy head of a large primary school. (January 2022)
Prices
Prices start from -
Dyslexia Screening Portfolio - £120 This includes all test materials, a full report with any observations and recommendations for further support or assessments.
Full Assessment for Dyslexia - £450 This includes all consultation sessions, plus all test materials, online tests if applicable, a detailed report and feedback session for the client.
Individual teaching / coaching sessions - discounts available for block bookings - £50 per 50 minute session (Children 5 to 11)
Parent support session / specific learning differences training - £70 per session (Up to 1.5 hours)
Hourly consultancy rate - going through reports, writing recommendations, writing referrals or applications. £60 per hour