Welcome to the Parents’ Area

In this section we give information about how to explain dyslexia and associated SpLDs to young learners and share strategies to support them at school and at home, including aspects concerning mental health and well-being. You will find signposts to agencies which can offer guidance and support about your child’s entitlements and provide links to access this. There are inspirational interviews and testimonials to demonstrate the skills dyslexic thinking brings and there is a useful section at the end which offers a list of downloadable resources. The page consists of 6 sections as follows:

Explaining Dyslexia and SpLDs: how to talk to children about dyslexia and how HWDA can help
Assessment / Local Authority Support and Information: How to find an assessor, local SEND information, including the Dyslexia Pathway, Local Offers and Parent Carer Voice
Supporting Learners: how to help learners at school and at home, including access arrangements for exams
Mental Health and Well-being: guidance and strategies from national agencies
Testimonials and Interviews: a selection of inspirational accounts
List of Resources: downloadable educational resources to use at home and useful links

Explaining Dyslexia

For the new definition of dyslexia, please see the What Is Dyslexia? page.The following video by the BDA (British Dyslexia Association) provides a helpful, child-friendly explanation about what dyslexia is and how it affects ways of thinking. Watching it with your child and other family members will give a good understanding of the challenges and skills dyslexia brings.

https://www.bdadyslexia.org.uk/dyslexia/about-dyslexia/what-is-dyslexia

Hereford & Worcester Dyslexia Association offers FREE support and advice to all parents of children with learning needs. In addition to supporting children with dyslexia, HWDA also supports learners with dyspraxia (motor skills) and dyscalculia (maths and numbers). Please contact the Senior Tutors for more information on how we can help.

Our Parent Support Groups offer –

practical advice and help on ways to support at home
useful technology available and support with programs or apps
opportunities to discuss realistic expectations of provision in educational environments
opportunities to talk in confidence to those with similar experiences or appropriate expertise
free events throughout the year, with guest speakers covering a variety of related topics

Contact the Senior Tutors at –

Worcester – Margaret Comerford

Email – seniortutorworcester@hwda.org.uk

Bromsgrove – Linda Adey

Email – hwda.ladey@gmail.com

Hereford – Bev Drinkwater

Email – seniortutorhereford@hwda.org.uk

Made By Dyslexia has put together these tips to help parents, teachers and anyone who supports dyslexic learners…

Follow Made By Dyslexia: https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/madebydyslexia

Local Authority Support and Information

Finding an Assessor

The British Dyslexia Association (BDA) sets out advice for how to find an assessor. For more information visit their site: https://www.bdadyslexia.org.uk/services/helpline/ask-us/how-do-i-find-a-good-assessor

BDA handout 2 Guidelines for Choosing an Assessor (2)Download

Local Area SEND Information

The Local Offer puts all the information about education, health and care services, leisure activities and support groups in one place. It has two main purposes: to provide clear, comprehensive and accessible information about the support and opportunities that are available. The following links take you to Worcestershire and Herefordshire Local Offer guidance.

2022 Worcestershire Local Area SEND – PDF download

2022 Worcestershire Dyslexia Pathway – PDF download

https://www.worcestershire.gov.uk/sendiass/sendiass-support/sendiass-guidance-local-offer

https://www.herefordshire.gov.uk/local-offer

https://www.herefordshire.gov.uk/support-schools-settings/teaching-children-sen-disability/2

Education Health Care Plan – PDF download

https://www.worcestershire.gov.uk/info/20546/news_updates_and_feedback_send_local_offer/1614/send_improvement_plan

https://www.worcestershire.gov.uk/council-services/childrens-services/send-local-offer/send-graduated-response

Advice and Support

https://www.hwsendiass.co.uk/
Advice and support for parents struggling with schools etc

https://www.hwsendiass.co.uk/info/24/send-support-ehcps

https://www.ipsea.org.uk/
IPSEA offers free and independent legally based information, advice and support to help get the right education for children and young people with all kinds of special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

https://talking-sense.org/
Non profit help with Advocacy for SEND

https://autismwestmidlands.org.uk/

Local to Worcestershire: North Worcestershire Autism Parent Group (All welcome) Facebook page

https://www.specialneedsjungle.com/
Magazine online re SEND across UK

SEN support in Mainstream Schools – PDF download

Dyspraxia & Dyscalculia

Worcestershire Learning Support Team updated their Dyspraxia / DCD Pathway information in February 2024. Details can be found here: https://www.worcestershire.gov.uk/sites/default/files/2024-03/Dyspraxia%20Pathway%20Feb%202024.pdf

For the NHS guidance on dyspraxia follow this link: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/developmental-coordination-disorder-dyspraxia

Follow the link below for more information about dyscalculia.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/disability-63464239?fbclid=IwAR2GKCgpjpvzjTGqZwLj734x5hW1XfsCYs2vPRYGTBNsKdY-6ThkU_tWjds

The Parent Carer Voice Herefordshire (PCVH) is a group composed of parents and carers of children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) in Herefordshire. Their aim is to ensure that the voices of parents and carers are heard and their views are taken into account when planning and delivering services for children with SEND.

Parents and carers have told us how helpful this organisation has been for them in providing information and support about how to understand and access help available locally. See their website: https://pcvh.co.uk/ or follow them on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/search/top/?q=parent%20carer%20voice%20hereford

Supporting Learners at Home and at School

If you’re looking for ways to support your learners at home or in the classroom, take a look at our Top Tips booklet which offers advice on everything from reading, storytelling and homework to memory and concentration: https://simplebooklet.com/bdatoptipsparents

#DyslexicChild #DyslexiaAdvice #DyslexiaSupport #TopTips #Dyslexia

Dyslexia Action: Understanding the Similarities and Differences Between ADHD and Dyslexia

Dyslexia Action have put together a useful guide to understanding the similarities and differences between Dyslexia and ADHD and offer advice on how best to support young learners at school.

ADHD and Dyslexia: How to Help Children Thrive in School

Study Skills: Supporting Your Child With Their Exams

At this time of year, many students will be revising for upcoming exams and so the following webinar by the BDA (British Dyslexia Association) provides useful information about how to help them prepare by developing appropriate study skills. There is also a link to a helpful guide to Access Arrangements for exams that schools and colleges should provide for children with dyslexia, such as extra time, readers, scribes and the use of assistive technology.

Access Arrangements

The BDA have set out a complete guide to access arrangements for teachers. See the following link:

https://www.bdadyslexia.org.uk/advice/educators/what-do-i-need-to-know/exam-access-arrangements

The following advice for parents is set out by the Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ):

Mental Health and Well-Being

If you are struggling with your mental health, or know someone who is, visit https://camhs.hacw.nhs.uk/ if you are a child or young person or if you are an adult visit https://www.nowweretalking.nhs.uk/ The Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust have teamed up with Split Second to promote their new song, ‘Reach Out’, which talks about the impact of the pandemic on their mental health. Video produced by Harms Way. For more information on the campaign and ways you can support us please visit: https://camhs.hacw.nhs.uk/reachout-music

Herefordshire and Worcestershire Wellbeing and Emotional Teams in Schools Service Video

The National Network of Parent Carer Forums (NNPCF) have been asked to share information from Young Minds about their free helpline for parent carers:

Young Minds is the UK’s leading charity fighting for young people’s mental health. The Parent Helpline is a free national service for any parent or carer concerned about a young person aged 0-25 years. We give customised advice and provide translation services in over 200 languages. We also have comprehensive resources on the Parent and Carer section on our website, which was visited 1.7 million times last year. You can visit our website here: youngminds.org.uk

Please note, the content has not been written or coproduced with the NNCPF. If you have any queries or would like them to come and speak to parent carers in your local area, please contact them directly at: jillwalsh@youngminds.org.uk and they may be able to visit or attend an online meeting.

NSPCC: How to talk to your children about difficult topics.

The NSPCC has put together some useful information for parents on how to talk to their children about difficult and sensitive topics. They have advice to help you decide how to talk to your child in an age-appropriate and supportive way. But you know your child best, so trust your judgement about what’s going to work for them. Follow the link below to access their website: https://www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/support-for-parents/talking-about-difficult-topics/

Additional links to mental health issues, support and organisations:

https://www.youngminds.org.uk

https://www.kooth.com/

https://www.hacw.nhs.uk/search/service/wellbeing-and-emotional-support-teams-in-schools-157/

https://learning.nspcc.org.uk/child-health-development/promoting-mental-health-wellbeing#article-top

Parents – Emotionally Based School Avoidance – PDF Download

https://www.family-action.org.uk/our-voices/2022/02/10/how-to-support-your-childs-mental-health/

The following article by HWDA President, Katrina Kear-Wood, explains how occasions such as Christmas can cause sensory overload for the neurodivergent and those with ADHD and offers strategies to manage the social and emotional difficulties they may bring.

You-dont-have-to-be-perfect-this-Christmas

Testimonials, Interviews and Accounts

“Dyslexia is a gift and I want to share it with the world.”

Follow the link to watch this inspirational interview with Hamza Yassin. https://www.facebook.com/reel/789722659345805

Dyslexic Thinking Skills

The link below to Dyslexic Thinking Skills is a user-friendly guide to how the dyslexic brain works and the strengths dyslexic thinking brings to individuals.

https://www.facebook.com/madebydyslexia/videos/906537180702592/?mibextid=rS40aB7S9Ucbxw6v