Hi Andrew,

It’s Liz Dunoon here. I have put together a video to tell you about

our new learn to read and spell program called ‘The Ten Minute Tutor’,

which will be launching later this month.

Click on the link below to see the video which explains more about the program.

Click Here To View The Video

Have a great day. I trust that all those Australian students that sat NAPLAN tests

today did so with courage, considering the difficulties this may have created for them.

Warmest regards,

Liz Dunoon

If you prefer not to watch the video you can read the text below

Today I would like to talk to you about an educational program to help children catch up at school with their reading and spelling, whilst improving self-esteem and self-confidence.

So who am I?

If I have not had the pleasure of meeting you in person just yet, let me tell you a little bit about myself. I am the author of the book – Helping Children With Dyslexia and three other books that help parents to teach their children to read, write, spell and do math from home. I am also the creator and manager of the free resource website – Helping Children With Dyslexia .com along with my husband Andrew. You are watching this video because you are a member of our website and it is lovely to have this opportunity to speak directly with you.

What do I do?

Many of you would know that I spend hours of my time researching education, intelligence, teaching practices and learning differences that can sometimes lead to intelligent children experiencing learning difficulties in a formal school environment.

So what have I discovered?

There are many intelligent children who learn differently who have fallen through the gaps of the current education system. According to research this is about 2 to 3 children in every classroom. Many of these children come home from school mentally exhausted, as their brains need to work much harder then a child who has learnt to read with relative ease. Struggling to learn and having trouble keeping up academically with their peers can also be extremely frustrating and this can affect, behaviour, confidence and self-esteem. Children love to be seen to be achieving and doing well. It is their intention to make their parents and teachers proud.

What do people tell me that they need?

Children and families need an educational program to fit in with their busy lifestyle. It has to cover any gaps in the student’s learning or understanding and must move at a rapid pace to keep them engaged, whilst also allowing access to revision at any time in the future.

Children are born logical and tutoring programs need to be logical, systematic and engaging, whilst also being fast and effective so kids can get back to doing what it is they are good at. An area many fail to include is the importance of assisting children to rebuild their self-confidence and self-esteem.

If you could wave a magic wand and create a program that fulfilled the needs of your child or students what would you want it to include?

Well I have three children who all struggled to learn to read, write and spell and I have asked myself this same question many times over. Three years ago however, I started to put my thoughts into action and decided to create a video streamed tutoring program to meet the needs of kids who struggle with literacy.

The Ten Minute Tutor

This of course has culminated in my new tutoring program, ‘The Ten Minute Tutor’. After listening to your needs and incorporating all the knowledge I have gained as a teacher and over the last 8 years to create ‘Helping Children With Dyslexia’, I made sure it ticked all the boxes. It is just 10 minutes per day of direct instruction, it uses a real teacher – me, it is video streamed and provides instant access to content, there is a worksheet/summary for every session, it teaches using a variety of sensory methods to cover all learning styles and it covers 7 main learning areas – phonics, words and spelling, punctuation and grammar, reading real books, singing real songs, life skills and inspirational interviews.

This video is just to let you know that The Ten Minute Tutor is almost ready. We are just finalising the details on the website ready for the launch later this month. We are putting together a very special offer just for member of Helping Children With dyslexia. Many of you have been my inspiration to create this program in the first place. I’m sure you know who you are. This offer will be for you, your family members and friends. So encourage others to become members of Helping Children With Dyslexia by sending them this video link so they too receive the pre release offer. I will let you know more once the exact release date is determined.

I will be back to you shortly to provide you with more information on how the program was developed. Until then have a great day and see you soon.

Warmest regards,

Liz Dunoon

All The Best,

Liz Dunon

Most private schools have a process in place to support dyslexia in children. Choosing one school over another often comes down to the schools attitude towards a student with dyslexia, particularly when it comes to Year 11 and Year 12. During your discussions with them it will become apparent what the school thinks. (I mean the principal really, as they set the tone).

Many students with dyslexia, as you know are generally intelligent, with some being highly intelligent. Private schools are a good place for them as they have the opportunity to really shine in many subject areas with good teachers and good opportunities. It is a difficulty to process the English language that creates the difficulty for them when it comes to formal exams and assessments. Private schools, in fact any school must be geared and experienced to understand what is required by VCCA (The Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Association) the body that organises the external formal exams, in order for your child to receive accommodations if she requires them. Such accommodations are readily available at university and TAFE, it just seems to be our secondary school system that is unable to readily provide the appropriate accommodations that our kids need in Year 11 and 12. This is the case for two reasons VCAA make it extremely difficult for students to get accommodations without enormous amounts of paperwork and a documented history of accommodations being provided from Year 7. The other reason is that many teachers do not understand this or how to apply for the accommodations appropriately. Some private schools also base their marketing strategy on Year and 11 and 12 results and may discriminate against a with a child with dyslexia for this reason, concerned that too many dyslexic students will bring down their scores. A very short sighted view considering how amazing these kids can be with the right support in place. Many of Australia’s top entrepreneurs are dyslexic. We need more of them, not more university professors, which is what private schools try to produce.

When you send your children to a private school you are purchasing a product (your child’s education) and you are well within your rights to take legal action if your child is not provided with this. This is not something I recommend however I know there are currently many court cases taking place for this very reason. Private schools know this all too well and as a result if they are academically inclined may not offer your child a place. Some say they are open entry, but when it comes down to it they are not really and a place may not be offered. You want your child in a school that embraces her learning style and makes her feel confident every day. Her confidence is more important than her school results as when she leaves formal schooling behind with your ongoing support she will no doubt have a great future ahead of her.

Just so you know, any school that does not provide support to a child with dyslexia is breaching the Anti Discrimination Act (Education Standards 2005) there is more on this in my book. There is also a Human Rights issue and the VIC commissioner has been in contact with me recently on this topic.

I wish you every success in choosing the right school for your child. I know it is a big decision having made this decision recently myself.

I came across this website quite by accident, I was Googling a spelling rule and up popped a free flashcard game created by Adrian. His website is terrific, chock full of free teaching resources to Help Children With Dyslexia and well worth a visit

www.adrianbruce.com

(the F.A.T. City program Frustration Anxiety & Tension) by Richard Lavoie, released in1993 but still the best for everyone from teens to teachers – and expecially grandparents and fathers. DVD can be purchased last time I looked from SPELD NSW

Gifted Hands The Ben Carson Story also been around since 1990s – about $20 from any Koorong Bookstore a Christian Doctor whose message is simple “If I can do it any one can” very motivating for kids and parents who are feeling bleak – It sresses to kids that we all need to give life a go. 30 mins. Also now a full movie for about $30 and very interesting.

“The Secret” a movie starring Kirk Douglas as the grandad with dyslexia and then the grandson cops the disorder.  My husband thought I wrote the script – very ordinary family portrayed with all the arguments that happen in millions of loungerooms around the globe.  Only now available via Amazon or such from the USA for about $8 + p&h.  A glimpse of the heritable nature of these issues.

“When Ch 7 used to show this movie about twice a year our phone would run hot for help from people who self diagnosed.”

Dvd Titles provided by Julie Appleton of ADDults with ADHD (NSW)

I’ve found a really good iphone app for teaching times tables in a visual way:  xtableclock.

I think it cost about $2.00 and it works

Provided by Naomi Blacker (Port Lincoln SA)

Helping Children With Dyslexia

http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/-1ft3c.html

Port Lincoln South Australia Parent Support Group

Naomi Blacker

Dyslexia Support Group, Port Lincoln SA

Email:naomi_b@internode.on.et

Mob 0429 803 241

Melbourne’s Southern Suburbs – Dyslexia In Children

Inaugural collaborative meeting for parent support and information:

Kingston City Hall, Function Room B

979-985 Nepean Hwy, Moorabbin

Wednesday 29^th June 2011

7.00pm

Please e-mail Debbie Williams on dwi46566@bigpond.net.au if you can attend

You can find out more information at http://helpingourkidssoar.blogspot.com

This is a great blog post from Eddie Snipes
An enjoyable enlightening read.

http://www.eddiesnipes.com/2011/06/dyslexia/

Liz Dunoon