Am I
Dyslexic?
Providing:
Dyslexia Assessments
and
Academic Assessments in Literacy
Dyslexia can seriously undermine progress at school, at work and in other areas of your life. This often leads to anxiety, frustration and low self-esteem and the longer it is left the worse it will become.
Our
Signs and
Symptoms of
Dyslexia checklist
will help
you decide
whether you
or someone
you know is
dyslexic.
If you require any further information click here. We are here to support you.
New in 2024 Academic Assessments in Literacy
Sometimes parents or schools do not require an assessments of specific learning disorders, they simply want an academic assessment of a child's literacy skills with recommendations for intervention.
To find out more download our flyer
or
Success Story from an adult with Dyslexia
I assessed Georgia at the end of 2018. She wanted to know if she was dyslexic but was scared she may be 'dumb!' Georgia was anything but dumb. After receiving the report she followed her passion and is studying for a Masters in Teaching. Read about this positive experience and Georgia's study tips
Dyslexia Diagnosis
An assessment helps to accurately identify what exactly is causing your problems, and put in place intervention programmes, accommodations and strategies to help you, or your child, gain confidence and reach your full potential. Read more about our assessment services here. This information is provided free, with no obligation.
Extract: email from a parent
Hello Karen
Harry is doing
really well.
The second half
of last year
Harry's reading
and writing
improved
considerably
and, in his
December school
report he got a
D for both
reading and
writing, a big
improvement.
Harry did a
great job with
all other
subjects, mostly
receiving B and
A.
I believe the
hand-over from
last year’s
teacher to this
years was good.
Ms. X seems very
enthusiastic and
interested in
continuing all
the good work
that was started
last year. In
fact, Ms. X told
me that she will
have a
lesson/training
with you this
evening! That’s
fabulous and I'm
sure it will
benefit Harry.
So, all in all,
since your
assessment last
year, Harry has
taken big steps.
It has made a
huge difference
in his, the
teacher's and my
understanding of
his learning
difficulties. I
am so glad that
we had the
chance for you
to work with
Harry.
Best regards; IP
*Child’s Name changed
ADULTS WHO SUSPECT THEY ARE DYSLEXIC-
If you suspect that you are dyslexic there is a simple checklist that you can complete. You simply answer 20 questions and can rate them according to how significant they are.
New Events, Resources or Courses
FREE GLOSSARY OF TERMS FOR PHONICS AND MORPHOLOGY FOR PARENTS AND TEACHERS
SOUND PACK FOR CLASS AND INDIVIDUAL TEACHING with spelling and syllable rules written on the reverse of each card. An essential part of an SOR phonics lesson.
GET THE ULTIMATE TEACHING MANUAL FOR DYSLEXIA: ‘IDENTIFYING AND TEACHING STUDENTS WITH DYSLEXIA AND OTHER LEARNING DIFFICULTIES.’ Are you a senior manager, teacher, teaching aide, SENCo, or someone responsible for student well-being and inclusion? Look no further! Our essential resource is here to support you in creating an inclusive environment for all students, including those with dyslexia. Click here
DECODABLE
READERS FOR
STUDENTS
AGED 8-14
YEARS.
We have
added new
series to
our
collection
of books.
These are
decodable
reading
books with
age-appropriate
and exciting
stories for
older,
struggling
&/or
reluctant
readers with
an interest
age of 8 –
14, these
chapter
books are
highly
structured &
help to fill
in the
missing gaps
in phonic
skills.
PHONIC BOOKS NOW HAS A FREE SCREENER AND FREE ASSESSMENTS FOR PHONICS AND COMPREHENSION.
HELPING YOUR CHILD TO READ; studies prove the earlier a child learns to read, the better they perform in school & later in life. This book is intended for all children & shows parents how to develop their child’s skills from birth through Primary school. Packed with over 100 pages of ideas and activities. Intro: $15 Click Here
Tint n Track Overuse of electronic devices can result in Digital Eye Strain which research has shown affects 50% users. The American Optometrist Association (AOA) found “increasing evidence to support a link between blue light exposure and macular degeneration.” Changing the colour temperature is advised. Tint and Track may be the solution; aiding reading and writing on the computer. Click here
NEW REVISED DYSLEXIA MANUAL 2021: instant access to all the tools you need from identification to intervention & classroom support. packed with resources & practical ideas. Over 130 pages only $35 introductory price read more
SOLUTION FOR STUDENTS WITH LDs REGRESSING THROUGH HOME LEARNING; WITH EVIDENCE BASED READING & SPELLING PROGRAM 10% DISCOUNT READ MORE
Without constant repetition and reinforcement from schools and tutors, students with difficulties in reading and spelling will almost certainly regress. For much needed home tutoring trial TTRS evidence based online program with special 10% discount. Read more
NEW PHONIC BOOKS
Major research in USA, UK & Australia about the best way to teach reading all concluded:
where
there is
unsystematic
or no
phonics
instruction,
children’s
literacy
progress is
significantly
impeded
And children should never be asked to read something they do not have the skills to read, that is why Decodable books are essential
EMPLOYERS: Create a Dyslexia Friendly and Inclusive Workplace to Support all Employees & produce an Open & Productive Work Environment Read more
HIGH
FREQUENCY
(HF) WORDS
are
essential
words for
children to
read as they
are needed
to make up
even the
simplest of
sentences.
They tend to
be confused
with ‘Sight’
words & many
still
present
these as
part of a
weekly test
& send lists
home to be
learned by
sight when
most words
are totally
decodable.
This method
means that
many
dyslexic
children
spend years
failing to
learn &
retain them.
Free
guidance &
resources
for teachers
& parents
click here
Evidence Based Interventions- Which to choose?
Advice for schools and for parents
How to Improve a child's reading Comprehension
Repeated
Reading
Exercises to
Improve
Reading
Fluency:
Research
over the
past two
decades has
identified
Repeated
Reading as
the key
strategy for
improving
students'
fluency
skills.
Read more
Auditory
Processing/Phonological
Awareness
Checklist
for
Teachers
How to Produce Dyslexia-Friendly Handouts
FREE APPLE FIELD TRIPS FOR TEACHERS AND STUDENTS.
Click here
Disability Discrimination Education Standards
Upgraded NDCO Disability Discrimination Education Standards website http://www.ddaedustandards.info/ Standards are formulated to assist educators understand and comply with their obligations under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992, and became federal law in August 2005.
Individual Learning Plans (ILPs)
Helping teachers and parents write helpful ILPs to aid effective teaching and learning for students with additional needs. Resources 4 Teachers section
Early Screening and Assessment in-school Training
Early screening and assessment allows schools to accurately identify students at risk for reading failure. I have worked with a number of schools to help them set up effective systems for screening and to carry out further, comprehensive assessments where necessary. Please contact me for details :
Oh... So much to do but how exciting!!!! Anne Italiano Kerrimuir Primary School
click here for details of the workshop
Wanted tutors with Special needs training and qualifications in Australia
If you would be happy for me to add you to a list available to parents and teachers please contact me with some information: email
A GREAT SITE TO HELP CHILDREN UNDERSTAND THEIR DYSLEXIA Click Here
NEW DYSLEXIA-FRIENDLY FONT- FREE TO DOWNLOAD
Children and adults who are dyslexic find some fonts difficult to read. OpenDyslexic is a new open sourced font created to increase readability for readers with dyslexia. http://opendyslexic.org/
FREE VOICE
RECOGNITION
SOFTWARE ON
WORD
Many dyslexics would benefit from Voice recognition software that types what you dictate. This is particularly helpful in schools as the workload increases and also in further study or at work. To find out how to install Voice Recognition software free on Word click here
Check the Reading Age of your Word documents
There is
often a
significant
difference
between the
reading ages
in one
class.
Check the
readability
of any
documents
that they
produce in
Word.
Advantages of Dyslexia.
A great video to watch. Leading to others including a Click Here
Hank
Zipzer Books
for children:
Inspired by
the true
life
experiences
of Henry
Winkler,
(the Fonz)
who is
dyslexic, a winning
series about
the world's
greatest
underachiever.
Funny,
touching,
& deals
with
learning
differences
in a gentle
and humorous
manner.
Read More
Workshops for Teachers!
Wherever you are in Australia & other countries: Workshops now available as webinars for information and pricing
Identifying the meeting the needs of students with Dyslexia and other LDs- Workshops for TAFES
Testimony Nov 2021
“Karen is a
wonderful
presenter
and
facilitator
and came to
the session
with a
wealth of
knowledge
about how to
support
students
with
disability
and
specifically,
dyslexia.
Karen didn’t
just present
the theory,
but also
explained
practical
measures for
supporting
students
with
disability
and dyslexia
in the
classroom.
We wanted to
raise
awareness at
GOTAFE, we
got that,
and so much
more with
Karen. Our
Trainers and
Assessors
and support
staff walked
away with
additional
tools to
support
students
with
disability
and dyslexia
at GOTAFE.
Thank you
Karen,
looking
forward to
having you
back.”
Daniel Gardner
-Coordinator, Diversity and Inclusion
Want to Significantly Improve Standards in Literacy ask for a consultation
'Karen
has
transformed
the way we
teach
literacy at
Kardinia
International
College.
Karen has
worked
closely with
the
leadership
team to
understand
the college,
then develop
a strategic
plan which
has
supported us
in moving
forward. She
has also
worked with
us on policy
development
and
decisions
relating to
assessment.
The level of
expertise
she brings
to these
discussions
is
extraordinary.
See full testimony and other Testimonies from schools
See what teachers think of the workshops
Updated and Brand New Professional Development opportunities for 2019
In-service 1 (full day, half day or after school):
Creating an Inclusive Learning Environment for all students Including those with Learning Difficulties click
In-service 2- (half day)
RESPONSE TO
INTERVENTION:
Implementing
a whole
school
approach to
meeting
students’
varying
needs.
Supporting
the needs of
Students
with
Learning
Difficulties
in Class,
Small Groups
&
individually
Developing
Oral
Language and
Vocabulary;
a whole
school
Approach
Supporting
Students
with
Learning
Difficulties/Disorders:
Curriculum
Modification
at Secondary
School
Supporting
Students
with
Learning
Disabilities
in Your
Class
In-service 8: THE BIG 5 OF READING
Research has shown that The Big 6 of Reading are essential elements when teaching Reading. Click Here.
In-service 9; For Parents
How to
Support your
Child with
Dyslexia and
other
Learning
Difficulties
at Home and
at School
Small
schools: why
not invite
staff from
other
schools to
share the
cost
of the
workshop?
Training for
Class
assistants
works well
when a whole
network or
group of
schools join
together
RTI Workshop In-service 2 (above)
During
2015/6 Karen
presented
RTI training
to almost
300 school
Principals
and senior
managers on
behalf of
Speld Vic
and the
Department
of Education
and
Training.
In-Service Courses for schools and colleges
So many
staff felt
so
empowered
and excited
after your
PD and are
implementing
many of your
resources in
the
classroom
and seeing
some great
results. Our
teachers aide
in
Prep
is working
with
children
individually
every day
and using
your ideas;
the
results are
so exciting!T
Your school could become an Inclusive and Dyslexia-Aware School Contact Karen to discuss how she can help your school. The types of support may differ according to the needs of the individual school it may include:
-
Whole staff training
-
Training for support staff about providing individual programs using multi-sensory instruction
-
Advice on resources and programs
-
Training in the use of assessment materials
- Workshops for parents/carers
Karen has
already
worked with
a number of
schools in
Victoria and
Canberra see
Testimonials
or contact
Karen who
would be
pleased to
provide
references
MAKE YOUR SCHOOL Inclusive for all students with Learning Difficulties including Dyslexia
I will travel to any schools throughout Victoria or anywhere in Australia to provide training. Some groups of small schools join together to pool financial resources. Click here to see a report about this.
-
See a Video Clip of my Workshop
-
I presented to the Wodonga CRT Support Network and here is a snapshot of my course and the comments made by the teachers. Check it out here.
Phone 0402225051 to discuss individual needs or email me for course details and a registration form.
Karen Starkiss � 2020||Important Information, Terms and Conditions of Use and Privacy Policy