Specific Learning Difficulties - What Teachers Need to Know

This book clearly explains what Specific Learning Difficulties (SpLD) are, and describes the symptoms of conditions most commonly encountered in the mainstream classroom: dyslexia, dyspraxia, dyscalculia, dysgraphia, Autism Spectrum Disorder, ADHD, and OCD. The author provides an overview of the strengths and weaknesses commonly associated with each of these conditions, as well as practical suggestions for modifying teaching materials and methods to make learning enjoyable, effective and accessible for students. There are also dedicated chapters on helping students with SpLDs to develop effective revision skills and exam techniques. This straight-talking and accessible guide is ideal for teachers, teaching assistants, and those in school management who want to know more about supporting students with Specific Learning Difficulties.

Table of Contents:
Acknowledgements. Introduction. 1. Brains that work a little differently: Introducing Specific Learning Difficulties. 2. Dyslexia. 3. Dyscalculia. 4. Dysgraphia. 5. Dyspraxia. 6. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). 7. Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Asperger's Syndrome. 8. Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). 9. Organisational skills. 10. Exams and revision. 11. A final word. Appendix: Summary of common areas of difficulty. Glossary. Further reading. References. Index.

About the Author :
Diana Hudson is a tutor and mentor to students with Specific Learning Difficulties (SpLD), as well as a subject classroom teacher (biology) and learning support teacher and SENCO. She has a diagnosis of dyslexia, and is a parent to four children, three of whom have been diagnosed with SpLD. Diana lives in Buckinghamshire, UK.

Review :
A wealth of practical tips to help teachers support children with Specific Learning Difficulties. Diana Hudson explains what the challenges are, how they affect learning and provides simple strategies for the classroom. This book should be compulsory reading for all teachers, TAs, and parents will find it useful too. This book should be in every staffroom library. No matter how aware one is about Specific Learning Difficulties, this publication gives a very sound reminder of the many ways they manifest and how they impinge on the whole life of the pupil. Di Hudson's plain speaking, practical narrative matches the simplicity with which she encourages teachers to be positive and create active solutions to support and facilitate. Di Hudson's book, with its practical and common sense approach to specific learning difficulties, is ideal in helping the busy, overworked class teacher to understand the needs of students with SpLD and also enables them to find workable strategies to help all students reach their full potential Diana Hudson's book is a superb resource for a wide range of professionals. She has skilfully distilled a complex subject area, into an extremely enjoyable and readable resource. The simple and extremely practical approach to the child as well as the teaching environment will be of enormous help to all teachers. This is a simple and effective guide written by a specialist teacher who is keen to pass o her wealth of experience to other teachers, and would make a useful addition to any staffroom library. The book is intended for those working in the secondary sector and is a practical guide to teaching more effectively. It also serves as a very useful reference book that would be of value to those in teacher training and other professionals.