Unraveling Dyslexia: A Conversation with Julie, Dyslexia Assessor and Specialist Teacher

Episode Highlights

On SEND Tutoring’s fourth episode, we welcome Julie – an ex-Primary school teacher turned specialist teacher turned Dyslexia Assessor. She is also one of SEND Tutoring’s Specialists.

In this week’s episode, we talk about how she loves her job and working with children to enable them to find strategies to manage their dyslexia and why early screening is so crucial to put interventions in place to support a dyslexic child.

She goes on to elaborate on how you can screen a child even before they have learned to read by using images and testing their memory and how they process sound all before they’ve applied the tools of learning how to read.

In this week’s episode, the questions sent ahead were:

• What made you become a dyslexic assessor?
• Have you found since Covid that children are more or less anxious and what strategies do you employ?
• You became a teacher a long time ago and you have been an assessor for a long time too what has changed for the better for children do you think?

As it turned out there was no time to ask the second question and I asked the third question instead.

Julie said that she would be back in the future which I know listeners will be keen to hear.

Episode Highlights

As one of SEND Tutoring’s Specialists, Julie shared her passion for working with children, empowering them to discover strategies for managing dyslexia. The episode delves into the importance of early screening for dyslexia and the transformative impact it can have on a child’s educational journey.

The Love for Helping Children:

Julie’s journey from a Primary school teacher to a Dyslexia Assessor is fueled by her love for the job. In the episode, she expresses her deep satisfaction in working with children, guiding them to develop strategies that enable them to navigate the challenges posed by dyslexia. Her commitment to early screening and intervention is evident as she emphasises the crucial role it plays in supporting dyslexic children.

Early Screening Techniques:

A key highlight of the episode is Julie’s discussion on early screening for dyslexia. She reveals innovative techniques that allow screening even before children learn to read. By using images and testing memory, along with assessing how children process sounds, it becomes possible to identify dyslexia and implement interventions early in a child’s academic journey. This proactive approach sets the foundation for effective support and tailored learning strategies.

Questions and answers

The questions posed to Julie in this episode provide valuable insights into her journey and expertise:

What Made You Become a Dyslexic Assessor?

Julie shares the motivation behind her transition from a traditional teaching role to becoming a Dyslexia Assessor. Her passion for making a difference in the lives of dyslexic children and helping them unlock their potential is evident throughout the conversation.

Changes Over Time:

Though time constraints prevented the exploration of this question, the episode does touch upon the changes Julie has observed over the years as a teacher and assessor. Listeners gain a glimpse into the evolving landscape of support and understanding for dyslexic children.

Strategies for Anxiety in the Pandemic:

Given the current times, the discussion naturally leads to how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted children’s anxiety levels. Julie sheds light on her observations and shares effective strategies to address anxiety, ensuring that dyslexic children receive the support they need during these challenging times.

Looking Ahead:

The episode concludes with the promise of Julie’s return in the future. Listeners can anticipate more insights from this dedicated Dyslexia Assessor as she continues to contribute to the understanding and support of dyslexic children. The ongoing dialogue showcases the commitment of SEND Tutoring and its specialists to addressing the unique needs of children with special educational needs and disabilities. Stay tuned for more informative and engaging conversations on future episodes.

If you would like a tutor who has dyslexia training please contact us.

If you have any questions on the topics discussed in this podcast, or are looking for help finding a specialist one-to-one tutor for your child, book a free consultation with us today, we’ll be happy to help.