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Supporting your Child when they are Reluctant to Attend School

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Supporting your Child when they are Reluctant to Attend School

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Dun Laoghaire CTC - DLCTC | Education & Training

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DLCTC: Education and training programs for Early School leavers. Explore QQI Level 3 and Level 4 courses in Gateway, Catering, IT Skills, Childcare, Woodwork, and Hair & Beauty. Apply now!

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Further Education and Training City of Dublin

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Further Education and Training City of Dublin

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City of Dublin Education and Training Board

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City of Dublin FET College - City of Dublin Education and Training Board

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City of Dublin FET College is the largest provider of Further Education and Training in Ireland with over 43,000 learners.

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Dyslexia - How Parents can support the Student

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Dyslexia - How Parents can support the Student

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[Page]. FET offers a wide variety of life-long education options to anyone over 16.

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Laois and Offaly Education and Training Board

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Laois and Offaly Education and Training Board - An overview of PLC pathway from our Adult Educational Guidance and Information Service.

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Laois and Offaly Education and Training Board

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Application Guides, Resources and Forms - Access College

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Application Guides, Resources and Forms Here you will find a set of Application Guides, Resources and Forms in a downloadable and printable format which can help you to make a DARE application. Supporting Documentation and Forms 2023 DARE Handbook 2023 DARE Information Flyer 2023 Section B: Educational Impact Statement Section C: Evidence of Disability Form [...]

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Our mission is to work in partnership across the education sector with students, teachers, families, communities and businesses to widen access and participation at third-level for under represented groups.

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Trinity Access Programmes - Trinity College Dublin

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Our mission is to work in partnership across the education sector with students, teachers, families, communities and businesses to widen access and participation at third-level for under represented groups.

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CareersPortal is Ireland’s leading Careers Guidance website. It is a one-stop-shop for people of all ages who need information and guidance regarding their next career decision.

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AHEAD is an independent non-profit organisation working to create inclusive environments in education and employment for people with disabilities. The main focus of our work is further education and training, higher education and graduate employment.

AHEAD provides information to students and graduates with disabilities, teachers, guidance counsellors and parents on disability issues in education. We undertake national research relating to the inclusion of students with disabilities, contribute to national policy forums and provide professional development opportunities to develop the capacity of staff in FET and higher education to be more inclusive.

AHEAD works with graduates and employers through the GET AHEAD Graduate Forum and the WAM Mentored Work Placement Programme.

AHEAD is a partner of LINK, an action learning network of European organisations promoting the inclusion of students & graduates with disabilities in Higher Education.

Our Values
As outlined in our strategic plan, we value:

A rights based approach to the inclusion of students, learners and graduates with disabilities in education and employment.

The relationship of trust with our stakeholders and partners.

Engagement and collaboration with key external partners.

The incorporation of the principles of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) into all learning environments.

Registered Charity Number: 20025182

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AHEAD is an independent non-profit organisation working to create inclusive environments in education and employment for people with disabilities. The main focus of our work is further education and training, higher education and graduate employment. AHEAD provides information to students and graduates with disabilities, teachers, guidance counsellors and parents on disability issues in education.

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We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking "Accept", you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. However you may visit Cookie Settings to provide a controlled consent.

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National Learning Network Archive - Rehab Group

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Irish Exemption Eligibility DES Circular

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Irish Exemption Eligibility DES Circular

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Irish Exemption Eligibility DES Circular

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We, at the English Language support Programme, would like to thank all the teachers and educators who have supported us over the last three years.

www.elsp.ie and the materials it contains will continue to be made available for use thanks to the NCCA, who will host the site from September 2010.

I would like to thank Barbara Lazenby Simpson and Linda Richardson for their enormous work on the materials and to acknowledge my thanks to Prof. David Little for his guidance and for having the original vision. - Zach Lyons

__________________________________

We are delighted to host the Toolkit for Diversity in Post Primary Schools which aims to help schools create and sustain a welcoming and inclusive environment for students and parents from all backgrounds and ensure equal success for all.

Please click on the link below

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The ELSP won the 2009 European Award for Languages - click here for details

Jury's comments " Feedback from involved teachers very positive about motivation of students and this is motivating for teachers...Very impressed with project...Valuable idea transferable to e.g. Gaelscoileanna."

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English Language Support Programme (Trinity Immigration Initiative)

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This website has been designed for post-primary English Language Support and mainstream subject teachers and their students. On this site you will find a comprehensive range of activities which will help you to access all subject areas of the Junior Certificate curriculum. These activities can be downloaded and printed and are suitable for both classroom activity and self-study.

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Professor John Sharry

Adjunct professor at UCD School of Psychology, founder of the Parents Plus charity and columnist with The Irish Times.

School refusal is a common problem that is very worrying for well-intentioned parents who don't want their children to miss out on their education. School refusal can be a mild problem with a child resisting getting up and being upset every morning, to being a more severe problem with a child refusing to go most days and missing large portions of the school year.

The causes of school refusal can vary greatly. Sometimes it is due to a child struggling with or being demotivated about school work; sometimes it can be in the context of behaviour problems with a child acting out or rebelling against rules; sometimes the problem can be emotionally based, with a child feeling depressed and finding it hard to generate the energy to go to school.

Often it can be anxiety which has been triggered by specific worries or problems such as finding it hard to make friends, or performance in tests. To deal with the anxiety, the child avoids going to school, which reduces the anxiety in the short term, though the underlying problems are not addressed and so the anxiety will return the next day.

The key to overcoming anxiety is to help the child to understand their feelings, to stop using avoidance, and to address the problems that are causing the anxiety. The first stop can be simply getting the child to talk about their worries and specifically what worries they have about going to school.

If there are specific issues, it is important to listen and avoid rushing to reassure them or dismiss their worries. Instead try to pick up on and normalise their worries. Encourage the child to problem solve there own worries with strategies for making friends or joining friend groups or facilitating social outings.

Parents, understandably, tend to get very worried and panicky about a child refusing to go to school but a lot of pressure sometimes makes it worse and you get these big stand offs with maybe a child having a meltdown at the school gate or being forcibly dragged into the school. For parents it can be very stressful when everybody is trying to get out of the house on time in the morning and a child is refusing to go to school. Responses need to be creative and one parent may need to take time off work to alleviate the pressure on everybody.

With younger children the problem can be often be easier to sort, it might be as simple as encouraging them to travel to school with a friend. Or for a child fearful of speaking out in class, teachers might agree not to call on them to contribute for the time being. Or an anxious child can be given a pre-arranged signal to leave a class if it is getting too much, without drawing attention to themselves. They might never have to do that but, knowing they can, can make an enormous difference. The key is to remain positive and encouraging and to help get the child to school. The goal is to break the cycle of avoiding.

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School Refusal - Parentline - Helpline for Parents.

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Professor John Sharry Adjunct professor at UCD School of Psychology, founder of the Parents Plus charity and columnist with The Irish Times. School refusal is a common problem that is very worrying for well-intentioned parents who don't want their children to miss out on their education.

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Guide to providing evidence of your disability

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Guide to providing evidence of your disability

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Educoot Education Resources for literacy, numeracy, digital literacy, life skills, employment skills & more

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There are five Priority Learning Units at the heart of every Level 2 Learning Programme. These prepare students for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of adult and working life and lifelong learning.
The five PLUs are:
Resources purchased by secondary schools include Levels 1 to 4 and all subject areas are popular, including Information Technology, Health and Fitness, Cookery, Maths and Work Experience.
See the mapping below:

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L2LP Lesson Plans, Classroom Materials - Educoot Education Resources for literacy, numeracy, digital literacy, life skills, employment skills & moreL2LP Lesson Plans, Classroom Materials

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There are five Priority Learning Units at the heart of every Level 2 Learning Programme. These prepare students for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of adult and working life and lifelong learning. The five PLUs are: Resources purchased by secondary schools include Levels 1 to 4 and all subject areas are popular, including Information Technology, Health and Fitness, Cookery, Maths and Work Experience.

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Welcome to the L2LPs section of the Junior Cycle for Teachers (JCT) website.

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ADHD Ireland | Our Mission is to make life better for people affected by ADHD

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We are dedicated to providing up-to-date information, resources and networking opportunities to individuals with ADHD, parents of children with ADHD and the professionals who serve them.

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%%title%% %%page%% | Advice for Young People | %%sitename%%

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A young person asked Jigsaw how to cope with the loss of their grandfather. Read the response on coping with bereavement.

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We are pleased to offer parents and guardians a chance to join us on zoom to learn more about Rainbows

The session aims to tell you about the Rainbows programmes, how they work and how they can support your son/daughter in advance of your son or daughter attending or perhaps they have already attended or you may be thinking about enrolling them . The session will help you make an informed decision.

Rainbows is 35 years in Ireland. We have learnt a lot from children and young people and what their concerns and worries can be. The focus of every session is on children/young people and is not on adult issues. It explores how children of different ages and stages of development can be affected by what has happened, highlighting what is normal and how attending the programme can help.

It is an informal welcoming space to listen - no pressure to speak - questions can be asked at any time.

Many parents and guardians have attended to date and have indicated how helpful it has been.

Feedback from these sessions in 2021-2022 was really positive - we hope to build on our support for parents going forward.

It's great for children to see that they are not alone & there are lots of other children in the same position.

Thank you so much, incredibly valuable and supportive

Absolutely amazing session. Empathy, professionalism from start to finish.

I felt very alone and so drowning in it all. I'm feeling better and know I am not alone. Thank you for everything.

Finding out that my kids behaviour is quite normal

Being able to share and chat with parents going through the separation was v helpful also

Ideas of what to do when kids are emotional or struggling was good to learn

We very much look forward to welcoming you on zoom.

Please boil the kettle, bring your cuppa and log in to meet Anne from Rainbows who will deliver the sessions
Dates for "Introduction for Parents/Guardians to the Rainbows Ireland Separation Programmes" Dates for "Introduction for Parents/Guardians to the Rainbows Ireland Bereavement Programme"

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Rainbows Ireland - Supporting Children with Bereavement and Parental Separation

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We are pleased to offer parents and guardians a chance to join us on zoom to learn more about Rainbows The session aims to tell you about the Rainbows programmes, how they work and how they can support your son/daughter in advance of your son or daughter attending or perhaps they have already attended or you may be thinking about enrolling them .

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The Irish Childhood Bereavement Network

The ICBN is a member organisation. Members share a vision that all children and young people, together with the adults in their lives, can easily access a choice of high quality local and national information, guidance and support to enable them to manage the impact of death on their lives.

Tuesday, March 7th, 2023

The Professional Certificate in Children and Loss (Level 9) are now accepting applications for 2023/2024.The course aims to equip professionals who work with children/adolescents with the skills to understand and support them when grieving. When a child experiences loss, either through death or a parental separation, their needs are often misunderstood or overlooked. Children may

Tuesday, January 24th, 2023

For 2023, the Irish Hospice Foundation have a number of workshops focusing on childhood and adolescent loss and bereavement. They are aimed at professionals and volunteers who work with children and who would like to understand more about loss and grief. They will be delivered online. These workshops book out fast so if you

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The ICBN is a member organisation. Members share a vision that all children and young people, together with the adults in their lives, can easily access a choice of high quality local and national information, guidance and support to enable them to manage the impact of death on their lives.

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Tricky Moments- Tips for Managing Behaviour 

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Tricky Moments- Tips for Managing Behaviour 

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Moodwatchers - Top 10 tips for easing Anxiety

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Moodwatchers - Top 10 tips for easing Anxiety

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MOODWATCHERS website of psychologist and author Shane Martin

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The greatest antidote to anxious thinking is distraction. There are lots of things to be anxious about but we should ask ourselves - how much 'mind space' do they need? Sometimes we let anxiety grip us too easily. We can loosen that grip with the following strategies:

1. Return to a lost hobby. Dust down the piano, bring the guitar down from the attic, practice your golf swing in the garden!
2. Acquire a new skill - painting, knitting, drawing, gardening. There are lots of free online courses available. Order what you need from Amazon.
3. Switch your company. In order to talk about different things sometimes we have to talk to different people.
4. Switch on some music and start singing aloud or dancing. Organise a family concert/show.
5. Reminisce more. Find some old photos or videos and savour golden days from your past. Involve others.
6. Play a game that needs your concentration - cards, chess, monopoly or even try something on PlayStation or X-Box

7. Organise to meet some friends from afar on Zoom and chat about anything other than Covid-19. Make that the rule. Ask them questions about where they live, families and what they love to do.
8. If you have children - start playing with them. They have their own little worlds. Let yourself fall into them.
9. Get yourself a good novel and start reading it.
10. Try some crosswords or word mazes.
Distraction is free and is even used in pain management.
It is possible to get better at it with practice. Structure your days better and if you are your own worst enemy - spend lots of time with others
(C) Shane Martin

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The greatest antidote to anxious thinking is distraction. There are lots of things to be anxious about but we should ask ourselves - how much 'mind space' do they need? Sometimes we let anxiety grip us too easily. We can loosen that grip with the following strategies: 1.

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Brain Training Activities for Auditory Attention - Our Journey Westward

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Does your child struggle with auditory attention? Find tons of fun and easy activity ideas to help improve the attention, processing speed and memory.

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PLAY NOW

Why MentalUP Memory Games?

MentalUP used trustfully by schools and thousands of families, helps memory matching improvement and learning ability of children and contributes to their success at school.

There are over 150+ online exercises for free! Let's test, train and improve your mind:

MentalUP is a participant of the University College London Institute of Education EDUCATE Program.

Trusted by World Leading Communities

We recommend the MentalUP which is developed by academicians and pedagogues and is filled with educational brain teasers.

MentalUP Educational Games will enable your child to use technology in a beneficial way.

MentalUP is an online innovative games resources for teachers and parents.

MentalUP does brain training well. Its games are easy to understand while challenging the skills which they are designed to stretch.

MentalUP is a UK-based award-winning scientific-educational application containing cognitive learning games for K-8 learners.

MentalUP developed by game designers and academics incorporating innovative teaching methods to offer dozens of mind games.

CONTENTS OF THE MEMORY IMPROVEMENT GAMES

ONLINE VISUAL MEMORY AND AUDITORY MEMORY GAMES.

FREE & FUN EXERCISES IMPROVING SHORT-TERM AND LONG TERM MEMORY.

EFFICIENT MEMORY IMPROVING TECHNIQUES.

BENEFITS OF MENTALUP

ONLINE 20-MINUTES DAILY MEMORY EXERCISES

HELP TO REMEMBER MORE

IMPROVE CONCENTRATION AND SUSTAINED MEMORY

SUCCESS AT SCHOOL AND DURING EXAMS

Try MentalUP Memory Training Games and Improve Your Skills!

PLAY FOR FREE

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Memory Games for Kids Online & Free | MentalUP

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You can boost your skills with MentalUP's memory games for kids online, memory card games, memory match games, memory board games, working memory games.

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Learn to Type | Type Better | Type Faster - Typing.com

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World's most popular free typing program! Typing.com's K-12 typing curriculum features touch typing, digital citizenship, coding lessons, and games.

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Looking to boost your typing speed? Kidztype.com has got you covered with our exciting collection of free typing games. Unleash the power of your fingers as you enjoy thrilling activities like whacking moles, racing through the jungle, bursting rockets, and competing in races with cars, bikes, and boats. Our captivating keyboard games provide the perfect blend of fun and skill-building, allowing you to enhance your typing skills while having a great time. With Kidztype's tailored-made games, you'll be typing faster and more efficiently in no time!

Fun and Engaging Free Typing Games for Kids: Boost Typing

Advancing Skills through Games:

Coordination and Accuracy: Typing game improve hand-eye coordination as kids learn to synchronize their hand movements with what they see on the screen. This helps them become more accurate and proficient in navigating the keyboard.

Vocabulary and Spelling: Many keyboard games incorporate word and sentence challenges, expanding children's speech and enhancing their spelling skills. Kids reinforce their language skills while improving their typing speed by repeating words and sentences in a fun context..

Speed and Motivation: By offering challenges and achievements,kidztype games motivate kids to improve their speed and accuracy. Setting high scores and beating previous records provides a sense of accomplishment and encourages them to continue practising and advancing their skills.

Engaging Kids through Interactive Games:

Easy-to-Learn Methods: The games use simple and memorable techniques to teach keyboarding skills. Kids can quickly grasp concepts like letter placement, home rows, upper rows, and numbers, making learning more accessible and enjoyable.

Exciting Themes: With captivating themes like fantasy worlds, car races, and space adventures, these games capture children's imagination and keep them engaged. The immersive experience ensures that learning to type feels like an exciting adventure rather than a chore.

Customizable Difficulty: The games offer scalable complexity and difficulty settings, allowing children to progress independently. Whether they're beginners or more advanced typists.

Suitability for Kids of All Ages:

These Keyboard games and dance mat typing activities are suitable for kids of any age. Starting early with keyboarding skills sets a strong foundation for the future. Whether your child is just beginning or wants to refine their typing abilities, these games provide a platform for growth and improvement.

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Typing Games - Learn Typing with Free Keyboard Games - KidzType.com

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Kidztype Typing Games: Kidztype's keyboard games are the best way to master typing speed and accuracy. Choose a suitable typing game to sharpen your fingers! Check us out and start playing now!

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Typing Games Zone - Boost Your Typing Skills

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Enhance Your Typing Speed with Our Top-Rated Keyboarding Games

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RTÉ Learn presents content for the Junior Cycle

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Guidelines for Teachers of Exceptionally Able Students 

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Guidelines for Teachers of Exceptionally Able Students 

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Differentiation for Exceptionally Able Students 

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Differentiation for Exceptionally Able Students 

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Teens 14+ online safety advice and expert tips | Internet Matters

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Teens 14+ online safety advice and expert tips | Internet Matters. Help children aged 14+ (teens) get the best out of the internet and stay safe online.

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Android apps for learners with Dyslexia 

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Android apps for learners with Dyslexia 

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(iPad/iPhone: €1.99, Android: €1.79)

Developed by Irish woman Anita Murphy and her husband, Rory O'Connor, this is one of the most popular education apps out there, and deservedly so. Rory's Story Cubes is a game designed to spark the imagination and can be played with equal relish by children and adults, together or separately. It can be played in a group or alone. The game consists of 54 images on nine cubes, with each cube generating an image that will feature in a story, which helps build creativity, critical-thinking skills, problem-solving, and literacy development. And it's fun. Almost three million story cubes have been sold worldwide.

Suitable for
: all ages.
Endless Alphabet
(iPad/iPhone: €6.99, Android: free, but with in-app purchases, Windows: free)

A popular and fun app for building up the ABCs of younger children. There's an interactive puzzle to go along with each word, including talking letters and a short animation. There's no pressure such as high scores or fails, so children can explore it at their own pace; maybe not one for parents who want to push their kids a bit harder.
Suitable for
: ages two to six.
Balloony Word
(iPad/iPhone: free, developed by KwikApps)

A twist on a hangman-style game where, instead of a comical take on the death penalty, players have to keep a balloon-holding gorilla afloat. There's a focus on vocabulary and spelling.
Suitable for:
ages six to 10.
My First 101 Words
(iPad/iPhone: €1.99, developed by Blueprint.tv)

Another one for toddlers learning their words, but rather than touch, text and voice, these words are demonstrated through video clips, and there's a host of interactive features.

Suitable for: toddlers.
Dyslexia Quest
(iPad/ iPhone,€1.99, developed by Nessy Learning Ltd)

One of the best apps for young people with dyslexia, unfortunately confined to iOS platforms. Dyslexia Quest consists of six games that develop learning abilities and can email results to teachers and/or parents. It talks users through difficulties and shows where improvements can be made.
Suitable for:
three age ranges: seven to 10; 11-16; and 17 and up.
BBC Skillwise
(website)

Not an app as such, but a useful website full of practical literacy skills for adults, including how to discern between fact and opinion; the sounds of English; recognising letters and words; and reading for pleasure. See also the National Adult Literacy Agency for further
YOUR FAVOURITE APP:
If there's a great educational app you've found that you'd like to share with other readers, please use the comment box below.

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Our top-50 education apps: literacy and storytelling

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(iPad/iPhone: €1.99, Android: €1.79) Developed by Irish woman Anita Murphy and her husband, Rory O'Connor, this is one of the most popular education apps out there, and deservedly so. Rory's Story Cubes is a game designed to spark the imagination and can be played with equal relish by children and adults, together or separately.

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The Department of Education's professional development service for maths teachers also provides a list of age-specific maths apps for iPad: just Google "Maths apps for Irish primary schools". They're all designed to be interactive and engaging, and may be particularly useful for building up the skills of children who are struggling.
IXL Maths Practice
(iPad/iPhone, Android, free)

Possibly the most relevant of all maths apps for Irish students. This carefully tracks the core curriculum from junior infants right through to sixth year of secondary school. Five-year-olds will count the number of dots on the screen, while those in fifth year will be looking at logarithms and trigonometry. There's plenty of visually engaging material and word problems. On the downside, however, much of the content is perhaps too close to the curriculum, so it might be a bit dull for some users, particularly older pupils. The app is free for limited use, but IXL membership offers added benefits. See

for details.
Suitable for
: all primary and secondary school pupils, as well as adults who would like to improve their maths skills.
Mystery Math Town
(iPad/ iPhone, €3.99, developed by Artgig Studio)

An engaging game for children aged five and over. It's part maths and part hide-and-seek, with a curious ghost rescuing fireflies, talking to townspeople on the way and unlocking rooms and passages. Players start with the answer and use a combination of numbers to solve the problem. A sneaky way to get kids to do extra maths; they'll barely even notice there are numbers involved.
Suitable for
: ages five to eight.
Number Monster
(iPad/ iPhone: €2.99, Android: €3.25, developed by Wombi apps)

This is a fun, simple and interactive game that helps preschoolers to learn to count from one to 20. A chatty monster talks children through the steps they need to take, and to suit children of differing abilities, parents can also enable visual cues at a setting.

There are two levels in this visually appealing game. It doesn't do much beyond the basics, however, so much of the value lies in the game element.
Suitable for
: ages two to five.
Symmetry School: Learning Geometry
(iPad/ iPhone, €3.99)

This brain-teasing game, designed by Irish firm PixelSoup, is for children of all abilities and levels. It focuses on geometry, getting kids to explore symmetry and shapes through puzzles. Kids who use Symmetry School will build on their capacity for spatial reasoning, problem-solving and visualisation. (It's also possible that a journalist or two might also have enjoyed playing with this one. Ahem.)

It's a great success story for Irish app developers, having shot to the top of the iTunes education app charts in its first week of release. Not the cheapest app out there, but worth the price.
Suitable for:
ages four to nine.
Math Workout
(iPad/iPhone, Android, free)

A few years ago, brain-training games were in vogue. Interest has waned somewhat, but adults should try and keep their reasoning and logic skills sharp, and maths is a great way of doing it. Math Workout was inspired by the Japanese Kumon education method, which is becoming increasingly popular in Ireland and across the western world. It features daily brain-training exercises and maths drills.

It's easy to see why this hugely addictive and enjoyable game is so popular. You'll be keen to beat your own scores and improve; I've been skipping coffee during the mid-afternoon slump and playing Math Workout instead.
Suitable for:
teens and adults
YOUR FAVOURITE APP:
If there's a great educational app you've found that you'd like to share with other readers, please use the comment box below.

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Our top-50 education apps: maths and numeracy

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The Department of Education's professional development service for maths teachers also provides a list of age-specific maths apps for iPad: just Google "Maths apps for Irish primary schools". They're all designed to be interactive and engaging, and may be particularly useful for building up the skills of children who are struggling.

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*Please note, AHEAD are not providers of assistive technology.

Technology has changed the face of education and for many students with disabilities, it has levelled up the playing field and enabled them to realise their true potential. Assistive Technology can be as simple as a magnifying glass for someone with a visual impairment, as everyday as a smartphone calendar app helping those with specific learning difficulties plan their study or as complex as eye tracking technology which enables those with significant mobility impairments to use a computer. We've listed some assistive technology which is commonly used in higher education in Ireland below and grouped them by disability - that is types that are commonly used by students with those disabilities. The list is by no means exhaustive but is designed to give you an indication of what is out there and hopefully point you in the right direction when looking at supporting students.

Click the disability category to have further information drop down about the types of AT they might use.

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Please note, AHEAD are not providers of assistive technology. Technology has changed the face of education and for many students with disabilities, it has levelled up the playing field and enabled them to realise their true potential.

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Computers, tablets and smartphones, and the software they use, can be extremely useful tools for people with dyslexia

They can support key areas of difficulty including reading, spelling and study skills. Technology can help solve many of the problems faced by people with dyslexia in everyday life, education and employment. The range of technologies available is constantly evolving and growing. Technology can be used to assist the learning process, and provide valuable reinforcement, customisability, variety and can increase motivation. However, no technological solution will itself be a substitute for individualised specialist teaching.

With so many programmes and products available, it is easy to become confused with the choice. Some established software and apps can be expensive. The software is increasingly built-in to devices and is therefore often free and even for paid products it can sometimes be possible to get a free 30-day demo or 'lite' version, where introductory levels are free and further levels can be purchased. It is also now nearly always possible to find demonstration videos online for virtually any piece of equipment, software or app. It is always worth checking if the makers of the product have demo videos.

Check out our Youtube Technology Playlist where we demo tech that can help individuals with dyslexia, focusing on free, inbuilt and low costs tech.

CALL Scotland have a range of excellent guides to Assistive Technology www.callscotland.org.uk. Check out their Apps wheels.

Enable Ireland AT Service and the Dyslexia Association of Ireland have collaborated to produce a free learning resource outlining free and low cost apps and software to support literacy. This short eLearning module should be of interest to parents, students, teachers and other professionals working with people with dyslexia. To access this Study Smart module just follow the link below, find the Study Smart module, and click the "Login as Guest" button: https://enableirelandat.ie/

This free module is available in a number of formats if you would like to use it on your own blog or website. It is also available in SCORM format for use in schools or colleges own Learning Management Systems (Moodle etc.).

Funding

For school students with very significant dyslexia, the school can apply to the Department of Education and Skills for a laptop/tablet and any specialist software needed by the individual student. Details of the scheme can be found on the Departments website: https://www.education.ie/en/Schools-Colleges/Services/Grants-and-Additional-Support/Assistive-Technology-Grant/

If a computer/tablet and/or software is bought by parents or an individual for home/personal use, the VAT can be claimed back. More information is available on the Revenue's website: https://www.revenue.ie/en/online-services/services/claims-and-refunds/apply-for-refund-of-vat-on-aids-and-appliances-for-persons-with-disabilities.aspx

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They can support key areas of difficulty including reading, spelling and study skills. Technology can help solve many of the problems faced by people with dyslexia in everyday life, education and employment. The range of technologies available is constantly evolving and growing.

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Go to National Centre for Technology in Education website The National Centre for Technology in Education (NCTE) provides ICT advice and support for teachers and parents of children with special education needs. They have significant information and advice relating to assistive technology and ICT training and resources.

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DCD and transitioning to Secondary school 

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DCD and transitioning to Secondary school 

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Resources available from the Dyspraxia Foundation 

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Resources available from the Dyspraxia Foundation 

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Children may be referred for physiotherapy for example:

When they experience a delay in milestones, e.g. standing, walking, hopping etc.

Have difficulties with physical activities such as P.E. and also with eye-hand and eye-foot coordination, e.g ball skills and running.

Poor posture, body awareness and awkwardness when moving.

Poor short-term visual and verbal memory is shown as difficulties in taking down dictation, following instructions and copying from the board.

Physiotherapists will carry out an assessment to determine a child's skills and whether they are at an age-appropriate level and with the quality expected. Information is gathered from home and school using a confidential questionnaire to identify difficulties the child is experiencing. The child is consulted about his own concerns and expectations. The Physiotherapist will use specific tests to assess underlying motor, sensory and perceptual abilities.

From the assessment, the Physiotherapist will devise a therapy plan with goals and objectives set by the therapist, child and parents. Therapy will be aimed at improving the child's motor development, which in turn will facilitate self-confidence and esteem.

Liaison with teaching staff, to give advice and support for the child in the classroom, such as correct seating to facilitate better postural control and allowing the child opportunities to practice and consolidate newly acquired skills such as ball skills.

Therapy will also encourage the child to choose to participate in new activities which are both enjoyable and will improve skills.

For more information on helping children with their activities at school and home, the following may be helpful:

Developmental Dyspraxia - A Practical Manual for Parents and Professionals
- Madeleine Portwood (ISBN 1 897585 21 7)

Physiotherapy and Dyspraxia - in Praxis Makes Perfect II - available from the Dyspraxia Foundation.

Sensorimotor Groups - Activities for School and Home - Carol R. Scheerer, M.Ed., OTR/L - Therapy Skill Builders (The Psychological Corporation)

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Children may be referred for physiotherapy for example: When they experience a delay in milestones, e.g. standing, walking, hopping etc. Have difficulties with physical activities such as P.E. and also with eye-hand and eye-foot coordination, e.g ball skills and running. Poor posture, body awareness and awkwardness when moving.

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DCD Toolkit- strategies to help main difficulties 

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DCD Toolkit- strategies to help main difficulties 

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NEPS- Supporting students with coordination difficulties/ Dyspraxia 

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NEPS- Supporting students with coordination difficulties/ Dyspraxia 

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Advice for teachers from ADHD Ireland about helping children with ADHD in the classroom

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12 Amazing Superpowers of students with ADHD 

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12 Amazing Superpowers of students with ADHD 

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The positives of ADHD are numerous and mighty - creativity, empathy, and tenacity, just to name a few. Here, readers share their amazing superpowers.

Thinking positive to find the plus sides of adhd.

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Problem solving skills are a positive about ADHD.

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Children use their creativity to build a fort.

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A teenager consoles a friend, using her gift of compassion.

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Girl with snorkel by family unpacking van shows her sense of humor.

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The word impossible is written on a chalkboard, with the "im" crossed out, because those with ADHD have perseverance.

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A woman is very observant and employs her keen sense of observation.

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A mom holds her child while also ironing - multitasking is a strength for those with ADHD.

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A man is very focused on writing in his notebook. Hyperfocus is a positive trait of ADHD.

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A group of young children are running with endless energy, another positive trait of ADHD.

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A father and son play airplane together. Their seal for life is an ADHD superpower.

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A green apple in a group of oranges illustrates differences. Kids and adults with ADHD are very accepting.

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A road sign has an arrow pointing to Right and another toward wrong. Those with ADHD have a strong moral compass.

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