Mission Statement
The Australian Dyslexia Association Inc. (ADA) Reg.IA37281 Nonprofit (Australian Registered Body) is concerned with the well being,identification and educational treatment of those with dyslexia. The ADA believes that all individuals with dyslexia or a related difference deserve the right to understand their learning difference and receive appropriate instruction which can enable them to learn and succeed. Out of Interest
Dyslexia is a language based difference it cannot be identified through behavioural/optometrist visual tests or audiologists reports nor can it be treated through isolated visual or ear exercises or lenses. Read this
Research From the University of British Columbia,Vancouver Psychometric IQ (WISC) assessments and discrepancy are not required for the identification of dyslexia or related differences documented since 2006 Read.
LATEST NEWS: 3rd Nov 2011: Dyslexia is not related to a psychometric IQ test
28th Sept 2011 Supporting scientific research on why Psychometric tests IQ tests (WISC IV) are not required for dyslexia identification Read.
Robert J Sternberg PhD: "I define [intelligence] as your skill in achieving whatever it is you want to attain in your life within your sociocultural context,by capitalizing on your strengths and compensating for, or correcting, your weaknesses" ( personal communication, July 29, 2004)
ADA Accredited Orton Gillingham MSL Training Course Dates for 2012~ Melbourne 18-22 June, Sydney 25-29 June, Gold Coast 2-6 July ~Registration/Application process required~
Breaking March 2012 News! "Purple for Dyslexia Day" Blakebrook Public School,NSW raise dyslexia awareness to raise funds for the ADA's Project Camp Success Read Contact ADA to discuss or promote your school having a Dyslexia Purple Day!
NSW Education Announcement: School funding for teacher training DYSLEXIA included. Inform your child's school today about ADA accredited teacher training. Read ADA pdf or Read on-line http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/48m-to-train-teachers-of-disabled-students-20120124-1qfst.html
Free ADA Initial dyslexia profiling for all ADA open members~ ensuring the best practices in the identification of a dyslexia profile: dyslexia.association@gmail.com Allied Health Professionals and Educators may refer needy families to this free ADA screening service~
NEW: Gold Coast Dyslexia Support Group~ Contact Tanya, Email:gcdyslexia@gmail.com
ADA Proactive News and Notices: Read below and left menu~
The Australian Dyslexia Association are partners of the National Year of Reading 2012
http://www.love2read.org.au/partners.cfm##ae
READ Overcoming Dyslexia an Australian Story: http://uninews.cqu.edu.au/UniNews/viewStory.do?story=8947
Ohio Dyslexia Legislation passed http://www.interdys.org/hb157.htm
University of Western Sydney Dyslexia Study Seeds of Literacy Study looking for participants with a family history of dyslexia Click here for the flyer
Information: http://marcs.uws.edu.au/?q=research/SeedsofLiteracy-home
Macquarie University Research into Auditory Processing/Hearing looking for participants Click here for the flyer
Dyslexia News-Victorian Department of Education & Early Childhood Development release Teacher and Parent guide. NSW DEC working on an on-line dyslexia awareness course for NSW teachers.
http://www.education.vic.gov.au/aboutschool/learning/dyslexiastrategies.htm
NEW Victorian Education Department Release ABLES. A resource central to meeting the needs of students with disabilities and additional learning needs http://www.education.vic.gov.au/healthwellbeing/wellbeing/ables.htm
NSW Education Department: https://www.det.nsw.edu.au/about-us/news-at-det/news/students-with-a-disability-to-benefit-from-partnership
ADA were at the International Dyslexia Association Conference 9-12 November 2011 attending 9 key note seminars and the Global Caucus meeting and will bring ADA members up to date in the next newsletter
SPELD NSW will be holding a conference this June with Neil Mackay being the speaker.Neil is an educationalist consultant and trainer who created the concept of Dyslexia Friendly Schools in the UK.For information contact:www.speldnsw.org.au
The Australian Dyslexia Association Inc. (ADA) is a professional association founded by post graduate teachers and speech/language pathologists trained in the Orton Gillingham MSL approach.The ADA is an Australian Registrable body and operates nationally.The ADA does not support or endorse any one method or program but supports direct,explicit,systematic and multisensory teaching approaches for individuals with dyslexia (LD/SLD).The ADA receives no government funding and relies on memberships and kind donations to meet the association's Vital Aims.
ADVICE:Often parents are bombarded with websites that present their own interpretation of dyslexia geared at selling their product. Dyslexia is lifelong and cannot be cured but it can be treated, the treatment needs to be educational and centre on teaching the skills required for reading,spelling and writing and the way each child's brain can process, retain and re-use those skills when required. A child with dyslexia will take a lot longer but it is possible. With an understanding of current research in science, linguistics and education a well trained teacher or educator can begin to assess the areas required for instruction over a diagnosis so that teaching can commence as soon as possible.
Bond University Students undertake a survey in collaboration with the ADA~ The aim is to promote an awareness and understanding of dyslexia in tertiary education
Film: ADA are looking for film students interested in raising dyslexia awareness~
ADA Members Newsletter to be emailed Mid March 2012-
ADA New Members + ERS Applications: Next round of welcoming letters to be sent March
2012.ADA welcomes all new open members including Allied Professional Open Members for 2012
Free ADA Initial dyslexia profiling for all ADA open members~ ensuring the best practices in the identification of a dyslexia profile: dyslexia.association@gmail.com
The ADA support the work of Neurologist, Samuel T Orton. The International Dyslexia Association (IDA) first began as The Orton Society.
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The ADA actively promotes the need for a change in policy and practice for those with dyslexia in Australia. Learn more about what you can do to help ADA make a difference.With your support we can help move Australia forward. Help us to create dyslexia friendly schools,educational centres and workplaces by becoming informed about dyslexia today. dyslexia.association@gmail.com
Australian News Alerts: October 2010-May 2012: The ADA has been informed by members of the community that a similar named Dyslexia Association in Brisbane is falsely stating that they are a Recognised Australian Authority and the "peak body" and calling themselves"The Dyslexia Association" located in Rochedale QLD, an ADA professional member has reported that they are the same business as "Dyslexia Australia" It has been reported to the ADA that they are activists of the Davis Method and the founder is a Davis trained facilitator but for one reason or another is not stating this information and the name of their "treatment"on their website.They are ADA are not affiliated with this association.Be wary that this group is claiming that language/linguistic based approaches do not work for dyslexia -this is NOT true, you only need to view any professional body of research on dyslexia including peer reviewed journal articles to read that a balanced approach in phonology (awareness of sounds) and sight words (visual attention) are required in order to learn to read and spell.The ADA supports credible professional Associations which are formed for the well being of the community but will not support groups which try to ride off another association's back,commercialise,mislead with non peer reviewed research and use a similar name/URL or compete.
Caution on dyslexia: Do not get caught with a pile of separate tests that the school won't understand,seek specialist advice from MSL trained dyslexia educators that work with and in the schools.
Latest research findings on dyslexia and IQ tests (Psychometric assessment): Until recently, an intelligence test (psychometric assessment) was considered to be a necessary part of the evaluation because the diagnosis of a learning disability including dyslexia was based on finding a significant difference between IQ and reading skill. Poor achievement despite average or better intelligence was considered in the past a key indicator. Current regulations form the US no longer require that such a discrepancy be present when making a diagnosis. This change in the US regulations came about because many studies have shown that intelligence is not the best predictor of how easily a student will develop written language (reading and spelling) skills. Instead, oral language abilities (listening and speaking) are considered the best predictors of reading and spelling. Ref IDA. If you are a parent concerned whether your child is "at risk" please contact ADA for the latest research based findings. When too much irrelevant testing leads to no identification and no effective research based educational treatment: Learn more dyslexiaassociation@gmail.com
ADA Announcements:
Global Partnership: The International Dyslexia Association officially recognises the Australian Dyslexia Association as a member of the Global Partner Program.
The Australian Dyslexia Association is a proud Global Partner of the International Dyslexia
Association. Join ADA at the IDA 2012 Conference!
Baltimore October 2012 Annual IDA Conference
Chicago 2011 62nd Annual IDA Conference
Arizona 2010
© Copyright Australian Dyslexia Association Inc.2007
