Contacts for Dyslexia
in Scotland

Dyslexia Teacher

- A listing of organizations offering assistance and advice about dyslexia in Scotland is available on this website, with links to these organizations:

• Dyslexia Scotland - Dyslexia Scotland is a charity which provides services to people with dyslexia. They seek to influence change at a national level, with a network of branches, members and partners.
  
  Dyslexia Scotland supports people affected by dyslexia, and campaigns on their behalf in many different ways. Whether through the national helpline, the branch network or online in the Members’ area, the organization raises awareness and campaigns for change.
  
  Talking to the Scottish Government, Members of the Scottish Parliament of all parties and other policy makers is seen as one of their most important jobs.
  Dyslexia Scotland
  
  
  
  
• Dyslexia Institute Scotland - The Dyslexia Institute was founded in 1972 by a group of parents and interested teachers. At the time, very little specialist training was available in Britain, and many psychologists and educational authorities refused to believe that dyslexia was a real condition.
  
  As a result, most dyslexic children were wrongly labelled as "stupid", and not given the support or attention in school they deserved. It was quickly found that the need for an organization providing help, information and support was overwhelming. It has been estimated that around 4% of the population shows signs of severe dyslexia, which can be thought of as one child in every classroom in Britain, although the Institute currently estimates that around 1 in 25 children need specialised help.
  
  From the first centre in Staines, England, the Institute has grown to 22 main centres, and 130 teaching outposts throughout the UK. The Dyslexia Institute's Scottish arm was founded in 1986. Today we have a main centre in Glasgow, and teaching outposts in Edinburgh, Perth, and Aberdeen.
  Dyslexia Institute Scotland
  
  
• Scottish Parliament Dyslexia Group - The aims of the group are:
  * to raise awareness of dyslexia,
  * to promote good practice in education and the workplace,
  * to support families affected by dyslexia.
  The Education (Scotland) Additional Support for Learning Act 2004 requires that education authorities put in place arrangements to identify the additional support needs, including dyslexia, of each child, and to make provision for these needs to be met in the classroom.  The Group will continue to call for the establishment of a rigorous, transparent system of accountability for provision to meet the additional needs of dyslexic learners that is easily accessible and readily understood by parents and young people, and to press for all teachers to be given relevant training that will enable them to deliver an appropriate, accessible curriculum to all dyslexic pupils that will lead to them becoming successful learners, confident individuals, responsible citizens and effective contributors.
  Scottish Parliament Dyslexia Group
  
  
• Dyslexia Action, Glasgow - The Centre offers the following services:
  * Psychological assessments by consulting psychologists who are either chartered and/or have official registration, for children and adults
  * Specialist multisensory tuition in literacy and numeracy for children
  * Specialist multisensory tuition in literacy for adults.
  Dyslexia Action, Glasgow
  
  
• Dyslexia-Consultants, Aberdeenshire - A c ompany based in Aberdeenshire, who carry out dyslexia assessments and dyslexia screening, as well as dyslexia tutoring for adults and children.
  
  They offer advice, dyslexia testing, dyslexia screening, assessment of dyslexic traits (and dyspraxia) for children from age 7+ and adults from their base in Aberdeen.
  
  They offer educational advocacy for people with dyslexic type problems, and individual dyslexia tutoring suited to the needs of the individual, obtained either by dyslexia testing, dyslexia screening or other means. Dyslexia-Consultants.co.uk.
  

As an educator in Scotland, you may find that 5-10% of the students in your class have a language-related learning disability. You may notice that these students do not participate or they may withdraw or even act out in class, because they do not know how to read, spell or express themselves in oral or written language. As a matter of fact, their brains process information differently than yours and mine do, so many of today's teaching techniques often do not work for them. Did you know that by definition, many people who have been diagnosed as being dyslexic have average to above average intelligence! It's never too late for children or adults to learn to read.

Going to college in Scotland brings excitement and new opportunities. But for you, a student with dyslexia, college also means a higher level of academic requirements. You have the knowledge and ability, but obstacles like essay exams, written reports, reading assignments, spelling issues, and lack of time can stand in your way. Frequently you face a lack of understanding by your instructor or peers. Learning more about yourself is the best way to develop an effective strategy for success. You are smart; you can succeed in college! Many dyslexic students in Scotland have made it through.

Dyslexia brings daily challenges. As a teenager in Scotland, you struggle with academic requirements, parents' expectations, and tremendous pressure from peers. It's hard to deal with the challenges of dyslexia, build your self-confidence and satisfy everyone around you. Just remember, you are smart! By definition, many individuals with dyslexia have average or above average intelligence. By knowing more about dyslexia and related topics, you can understand more about yourself and how to take charge of your learning.

Parents are the first to sense that their child is not like other children. Unfortunately, parents incorrectly assume that their child is developing slower than other children and will catch up, or that their child is not as smart as other children. These assumptions just aren't true about children who are dyslexic, because by definition, many people who have been diagnosed as being dyslexic have average to above average intelligence! Please don't make the biggest mistake many parents make, don't hide this - get help for your child so that he or she can learn to live successfully with dyslexia.

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Famous Dyslexic People - Many dyslexic people have become famous, especially through their strengths in artistic awareness, physical co-ordination and empathy. Here is a list of Famous People with Dyslexia.

 Dyslexia Parents
 Resource

 Set up for the exchange of information
 and advice about dyslexia.
 Dyslexia Parents Resource