Alyson T

My consultant expertise teaching children and young people with cognition and learning difficulties

I am an experienced teacher of dyslexia and other learning differences, and my approach is to use multisensory methods to engage learners through the use of different stimuli. I often encourage the use of ICT such as an IPAD/ laptop with appropriate software and for secondary-age learners, the use of a reading pen. These maximise learning opportunities whilst removing stress and anxiety. I use different strategies to encourage learners who may be reluctant to write for example, task boards, timers, use of alternative methods of writing such as mind-mapping techniques, writing frames, etc. Again, these build confidence whilst reducing anxiety.

My consultant expertise teaching children and young people with ASD

Those with a diagnosis as well as those who have not yet been diagnosed but are on the ever-increasing assessment waiting lists. For the past year, I have been working with a local health service supporting and facilitating an ‘Autism in schools’ project within a mainstream setting. I have set up an ASD hub within the main body of the school building where learners can come to access support for learning as well as offering a ‘safe space’.

The use of mini whiteboards and appropriate games are both excellent ways of getting students to communicate both verbally and non-verbally. I am also trained in SCERTS (Social Communication, Emotional Regulation, Transactional Support) and have used this to develop the use of conversation partners to aid communication.

I am experienced in supporting learners to develop independence through the use of visual timetables and social stories, both of which have an impact on self-esteem and confidence.

I’ve also been an advocate through a permanent exclusion appeal for a family and neurodiverse child which was then overturned as unlawful.

My consultant expertise teaching children and young people who have low confidence

On a daily basis I work with learners who lack confidence and often have low self-esteem for variety of reasons which impacts on their ability to learn effectively. Praise and encouragement have been key to my pedagogy over the years, recognising small achievements in an appropriate way. Even when a child does not present with learning differences, breaking tasks into small achievable steps gives them the motivation to start and then complete a task. Giving young people responsibilities can also empower them to feel valued as well as building and reinforcing confidence that they can achieve something independently.

My consultant expertise assessing children and young people individual needs

I have been a level 7 assessor for 15 years and am qualified to use a range of both screening and diagnostic assessments to identify possible areas of need. I then analyse results to determine any additional support and intervention that may be needed to overcome any potential barriers. This is then written into a report to inform planning and delivery both in mainstream lessons as well as for specific interventions and programmes with specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, time related (SMART) outcomes,

My consultant expertise teaching children and young people who need exam access arrangements (EAA)

I hold an Assessment Practising Certificate (APC) which enables me to assess for Access Arrangements at KS4 & KS5. I have been successfully assessing for 14 years ensuring students have the appropriate reasonable adjustments in place to enable them to be able to demonstrate their knowledge, skills and understanding without affecting the integrity of the examination process.