Welcome
DSF Literacy and Clinical Services (The Dyslexia-SPELD Foundation of WA inc.) has provided vital support to West Australian children and adults with learning disabilities for over 40 years. It remains committed to improving the level of support provided to children and adults with learning disabilities and to the community’s understanding of specific learning disabilities, in particular dyslexia.
DSF continues to focus on ensuring that children and adults with learning disabilities are supported adequately and appropriately, and that all students are provided with the opportunity to achieve their potential. In addition it provides advice and support to families and educators on successful literacy acquisition, evidence-based practice, and the strategies most likely to improve literacy outcomes for all students. Our role includes supporting and advising students, adults and families directly, as well as indirectly through the support and advice provided at a school or employment level.
Upcoming Events
- 'Understanding Learning Difficulties .... a practical guide'
- 1 Aug 14
In this practical full-day workshop the recently released DSF Learning Difficulties Guide will be reviewed and effective ways to make use of it explored. Successful strategies for assisting students with developmental learning disorders, such as dyslexia, will be identified.
The Guide includes a wealth of valuable information and a comprehensive overview of evidence-based remediation and accommodation strategies. In addition it details: the visible signs of learning disorders; effective teaching and accommodation strategies; diagnostic criteria; and, issues such as self-esteem and dyslexia-friendly schools.
Attendees will have the opportunity to purchase the DSF Learning Difficulties Guide at a discounted price of $50, normally $60 (pre-order on this form or purchase on the day of workshop)
Presenter: Mandy Nayton is the Executive Officer of DSF Literacy and Clinical Services. She is an educational and developmental psychologist and qualified teacher with extensive experience in the field of literacy education. Mandy supports schools with literacy planning and recommends appropriate classroom-based and individual strategies for struggling students.
- Supporting Children and Adolescents with Language and Literacy Difficulties
- 13 Aug 14
This one day workshop will look at supporting children of upper primary school age and adolescents with language and literacy difficulties. It will explore the impact these difficulties may have on an individual’s personal development: academic, social, behavioural and emotional issues and examine a range of school-based approaches such as building classroom and learning support teachers’ capacity in inclusive support of students with additional language and literacy needs, and strategy-based approaches to individual and small group interventions
Presenter: Dr Julia Starling is a speech-language pathologist with extensive clinical and research experience with populations of young people with language and literacy difficulties. She has recently completed postgraduate research at the University of Sydney targeting the nature and impact of, and interventions for, language impairment in adolescence. Julia is president of the Learning Difficulties Coalition of NSW.
214H Supporting Children and Adolescents with language and literacy difficulties
- Morning Tea For Parents
- 14 Aug 14
Please come along and join us for the second session in our on-going series of free parent morning teas.
We are pleased to announce that Speech-Language Pathologist, Dr Julia Starling, has kindly offered up her time to come and speak about the nature and impact of language and literacy difficulties on children and adolescents’ development. She will cover the signs and symptoms of language and literacy difficulties, when parents should be concerned and who they should talk to about these concerns. Time will also be spent discussing strategies for support and useful resources.
Julia has extensive clinical and research experience with populations of young people with language and literacy difficulties. She has recently completed postgraduate research targeting the nature and impact of, and interventions for, language impairment in adolescence. This has resulted in many national and international presentations and publications. She also maintains a private caseload of clients, mainly older school-aged children and adolescents, is implementing a teacher training program in Sydney, regularly lectures and continues an active involvement in research projects.
Date: Thursday 14th August 2014
Time: 10am – 11.30am
Location: DSF Literacy & Clinical Services, 10 Broome St. SOUTH PERTH
RSVP: Please RSVP by Monday 11th August, 2014 via email or phone