Programs used in schools

Programs used in schools to support phonological awareness include NLS materials, Jolly Phonics (Wernham and Lloyd), and Sound Linkage (Hatcher, 2000).

In addition to programs that specifically support literacy development, programs that are used to enhance cognitive functioning in particular areas are frequently used to support dyslexic students. These include:

Thinking Skills (Blagg et al., 1988)

Mind Mapping (1993)

Instrumental Enrichment (Feuerstein, 1980)

Philosophy for children (Lipman, 1984)

Learning styles (Given and Reid, 2001; Coffield et al., 2004)

Study Skills (Ostler, 2001)

ICT (Johnson, 2002).

Discussion

■ Think about some of the support strategies programs you use with dyslexic pupils. Why do you use these particular methods?

■ How might the methods you use for individual support differ from those you use with small groups and/or the whole class?

■ When you are working with an individual with dyslexia, how would you record his/her response to teaching to help you improve your support and collaboration with the class/subject teacher and parent?