Module: Understanding Dyslexia & Dyspraxia

 

Learning Goals

By the end of this module, learners will:

• Understand what dyslexia and dyspraxia are.

• Recognize the challenges faced by students with these conditions.

• Know basic support strategies for the classroom.

• Practice thinking about communication and inclusive teaching.

---

Section 1: Introduction – Annie’s Classroom

Scenario:
Students are arriving in the classroom. Annie greets everyone and introduces the lesson.

Teacher Notes:

• Keep language simple and clear.

• Use visual aids for support.

• Encourage students to ask questions.

Text for Students:

• Hello! My name is Annie.

• I am your teacher for today.

• We will learn about different ways our brains work.

• Some students have dyslexia or dyspraxia.

• Everyone learns differently, and that’s okay.

---

Section 2: Understanding Dyslexia

Definition:

• Dyslexia affects reading, writing, and spelling.

Challenges Students May Face:

• Mixing up letters or words

• Reading slowly

• Trouble with spelling

Strengths Students May Have:

• Creativity

• Good problem-solving ideas

Teacher Notes:

• Encourage students to share how they learn best.

• Use multisensory teaching: writing, drawing, and speaking.

---

Section 3: Understanding Dyspraxia

Definition:

• Dyspraxia affects movement, coordination, and planning.

Challenges Students May Face:

• Hard to catch a ball or write neatly

• Planning and organizing tasks is slower

Strengths Students May Have:

• Creative thinking

• Unique problem-solving skills

Teacher Notes:

• Break tasks into small steps.

• Offer coordination games and practical exercises.

---

Section 4: Support Strategies

For Teachers/Support Staff:

• Break tasks into small steps

• Use visual aids

• Give extra time for reading or writing

For Students:

• Use pencil grips or adapted tools

• Practice slowly

• Ask for help when needed

Communication Support:

• Speak clearly

• Sign language, Makaton, Braille

• Staff may support alternative communication methods

---

Section 5: Classroom Scenario

Scenario Activity:
Annie asks a student, Jamie, to read a sentence aloud. Jamie struggles with spelling some words.

Questions for Discussion:

1. What could Annie do to help Jamie feel supported?

2. What strategies could help Jamie with reading and writing?

3. How could classmates help in a friendly way?

Suggested Actions:

• Encourage and praise effort

• Offer visual aids or word cards

• Allow extra time

---

Section 6: Quick Quiz

1. Dyslexia affects:
   a) Reading and writing ✅
   b) Running fast
   c) Hearing

2. Dyspraxia affects:
   a) Movement and coordination ✅
   b) Spelling words
   c) Listening

3. True or False: Everyone learns the same way. ❌

4. Name one way teachers can help students with dyslexia or dyspraxia:

• Break tasks into small steps ✅

• Make them do everything faster

• Ignore mistakes

5. What is one way students can communicate if they find speaking hard?

• Sign language ✅

• Yelling

• Copying homework

 

Communication training

 

1️⃣ Printable Cards

• Traffic Light Cards 🟢🟡🔵🔴🟣

• Emotion / Feeling Cards 🙂😢😡😨😌🤔😷🛑

• Problem / Topic Cards Sleep, Eating, Home/Family, Relationships, Medication, Safety

• Severity / Urgency Cards 🟢 Mild, 🟡 Moderate, 🔴 Severe

---

2️⃣ Body Language & Gesture Icons

• 👋 Hand wave → attention

• ✋ Stop → pause

• 🙏 Hands together → thank you

• 🤲 Open hands → receptive

• 🏃 Walking away → need a break

---

3️⃣ Storyboards & Posters

• Step-by-step communication flow for group and one-to-one

• Visual guidance for Traffic Light, Emotion, and Problem Cards

• Examples showing non-verbal communication in practice

---

4️⃣ Easy Read Booklet / Training Guide Pages

• Advocacy, mentoring, coaching overview

• Verbal & non-verbal communication strategies

• Step-by-step examples for using cards and signs

• Reflection exercises

• Quiz and knowledge check

---

5️⃣ Role-Play / Practice Sheets

• Guided exercises for students, trainees, staff, and counselors

• Simulated group discussions and one-to-one sessions

• Using cards, gestures, and basic Makaton / sign language visuals

---

6️⃣ Quiz / Knowledge Check

• True/False + Multiple Choice in Easy Read format

• Checks understanding of inclusive communication principles

---

7️⃣ Optional Free Sign / Symbol Visuals

• Basic Makaton / sign language illustrations for: hello, yes, no, help, stop

• Optional Braille symbols for key words like “help,” “stop,” “yes,” “no”

---

This will produce a ready-to-use, all-in-one module for:

• Students, trainees, staff

• Counselors, therapists, healthcare professionals

• Group workshops and one-to-one support

• Both verbal and non-verbal communication

•  Traffic Light Cards (printable, Easy Read)

  🟢 Green – I want to speak

  🟡 Yellow – I have a question

  🔵 Blue – I need more time

  🔴 Red – Please slow down

  🟣 Purple – I need a break

  🖼 Visual idea: Each card is large, bright, with the word + simple icon showing the meaning.

  ---

  2️⃣ Emotion / Feeling Cards

  🙂 Happy

  😢 Sad

  😡 Angry

  😨 Anxious

  😌 Calm

  🤔 Confused

  😷 Pain

  🛑 Stop

  🖼 Visual idea: Each card has the word + matching facial expression illustration.

  ---

  3️⃣ Problem / Topic Cards

  😴 Sleep problems

  🍽️ Eating / appetite

  🏠 Home / family

  👥 Relationships / friends

  💊 Medication

  ⚠️ Safety / self-harm concerns

  🖼 Visual idea: Each card has a simple icon + clear word, easy to point to.

  ---

  4️⃣ Severity / Urgency Cards

  🟢 Mild

  🟡 Moderate

  🔴 Severe

  🖼 Visual idea: Bright colored cards matching the Traffic Light theme for quick recognition.

  ---

  5️⃣ Body Language & Gesture Icons

  👋 Hand wave → attention

  ✋ Stop → pause

  🙏 Hands together → thank you

  🤲 Open hands → receptive

  🏃 Walking away → need a break

  🖼 Visual idea: Simple, clear icons for quick recognition during sessions.

   

Inclusive Communication Chapter / Module – Full Approach

 

1️⃣ Learning Outcomes

Learners will be able to:

Communicate effectively with verbal and non-verbal individuals.

Recognize and respond to emotions, needs, and urgency.

Use visual tools, symbols, and gestures.

Apply Traffic Light, Emotion, Problem, and Urgency Cards.

Understand basics of sign language, Makaton, Braille symbols, even without formal training.

---

2️⃣ Introduction

Many people can communicate in different ways:

Verbal (spoken words)

Non-verbal (gestures, pointing, body language, visual cards)

Sign language / Makaton / Braille for specific needs

Courses for these can be expensive or hard to access, so this book & toolkit gives everything needed in one place.

🖼 Picture idea: Person signing “hello,” another pointing to an emotion card, another reading Braille.

---

3️⃣ Tools for Inclusive Communication

a) Traffic Light Cards 🟢🟡🔵🔴🟣
b) Emotion / Feeling Cards 🙂😢😡😨😌🤔😷🛑
c) Problem / Topic Cards Sleep, Eating, Home/Family, Relationships, Medication, Safety
d) Severity / Urgency Cards 🟢 Mild, 🟡 Moderate, 🔴 Severe
e) Body Language & Gesture Symbols 👋✋🙏🤲🏃
f) Optional Sign Language / Makaton visuals (basic key signs like hello, yes, no, help, stop)
g) Optional Braille symbols for essential communication words

---

4️⃣ How to Communicate

Ask simple questions with words + pictures.

Allow extra time to respond.

Observe gestures, facial expressions, body language.

Check understanding:

“I see you’re anxious. Is that right?”

Combine visual cards, verbal prompts, and sign or Braille support.

Respect Traffic Light and Severity Cards.

---

5️⃣ Advocacy, Mentoring, Coaching Applications

Advocacy: help people express needs using verbal or non-verbal communication.

Mentoring: guide step-by-step using cards, symbols, gestures.

Coaching: build confidence, skills, and understanding using practical exercises.

🖼 Picture idea: Mentor coaching student with Traffic Light and Emotion Cards, with a small Makaton sign visual.

---

6️⃣ Step-by-Step Storyboards

Participant points to card or signs

Facilitator notices and responds

Participant communicates feeling or problem

Facilitator reflects & checks understanding

Participant lowers card / finishes communication

---

7️⃣ Role-Play & Practical Exercises

Practice verbal + non-verbal communication

Match emotions to pictures or signs

Use Traffic Light cards in groups

Practice basic Makaton / sign gestures (free illustrations in book)

Reflection: “How did it feel to communicate using different methods?”

---

8️⃣ Ground Rules

One person speaks or signs at a time

Everyone listens respectfully

Use visual cards, gestures, or signs to communicate

Allow breaks and extra time

Encourage patience and clarity

---

9️⃣ Easy Read Quiz

True / False:

Non-verbal people cannot communicate.

Pictures, signs, and words help communication.

You should ignore gestures.

Traffic Light cards can help manage group communication.

Multiple Choice:
5. Purple Traffic Light Card means:
A) I want to speak
B) I need a break
C) I am confused

Basic Makaton or sign visuals can help someone:
A) Communicate if they cannot speak
B) Speak faster
C) Ignore the person

Answers:

False

True

False

True

B

A

---

10️⃣ Printable / Visual Materials

Traffic Light, Emotion, Problem, and Urgency Cards

Body Language & Gesture Icons

Storyboards & Posters

Easy Read Booklet pages

Role-play sheets

Quiz pages

Optional free Makaton / sign visuals

Optional Braille symbols for key words

 

Inclusive Advocacy, Mentoring, Coaching & Non-Verbal Communication Module – Easy Read / Visual

 

1️⃣ Learning Outcomes

Participants will be able to:

• Explain advocacy, mentoring, and coaching.

• Support people using visual and verbal communication.

• Recognize and respond to emotions, needs, and urgency.

• Use Traffic Light, Emotion, Problem, and Urgency Cards in groups or one-to-one.

• Apply inclusive communication strategies for non-verbal or low literacy individuals.

---

2️⃣ Introduction

• Advocacy: standing up for self or others

• Mentoring: guiding someone through support and advice

• Coaching: helping someone build skills and confidence

• Non-verbal communication: using pictures, words, and gestures to communicate

🖼 Picture idea: Person pointing to a card while mentor smiles and nods.

---

3️⃣ Tools for Communication

a) Traffic Light Cards 🟢🟡🔵🔴🟣

• Green → I want to speak

• Yellow → I have a question

• Blue → I need more time

• Red → Please slow down

• Purple → I need a break

b) Emotion / Feeling Cards

• 🙂 Happy, 😢 Sad, 😡 Angry, 😨 Anxious, 😌 Calm, 🤔 Confused, 😷 Pain

c) Problem / Topic Cards

• Sleep, Eating, Home / Family, Relationships, Medication, Safety

d) Severity / Urgency Cards

• Green → mild

• Yellow → moderate

• Red → severe

e) Body Language & Gesture Symbols

• 👋 Hand wave → attention

• ✋ Stop → pause

• 🙏 Hands together → thank you

• 🤲 Open hands → receptive

• 🏃 Walking away → need a break

---

4️⃣ Inclusive Communication Strategies

1. Ask simple questions using words + pictures.

2. Give extra time to respond.

3. Check understanding:

   “I see you’re anxious. Is that right?”

4. Respect Traffic Light and Severity Cards.

5. Use gestures, facial expressions, and visual aids.

---

5️⃣ Step-by-Step Storyboards

• Participant raises card

• Facilitator notices and acknowledges

• Participant communicates feeling or problem

• Facilitator responds appropriately

• Participant lowers card

🖼 Picture idea: Sequence for one-to-one or group session

---

6️⃣ Advocacy, Mentoring, Coaching Applications

Advocacy: support self-expression using cards & visual aids
Mentoring: guide step-by-step, using visual prompts & reflection
Coaching: build confidence, skills, and understanding through exercises & role-play

---

7️⃣ Role-Play & Practical Exercises

• Mirror facial expressions & gestures

• Match emotions to cards

• Simulated group / one-to-one session using cards

• Reflection: “How did it feel to communicate this way?”

---

8️⃣ Ground Rules / Posters

• One person speaks at a time

• Listen respectfully

• Use cards to communicate needs

• Allow breaks if needed

• Recognize gestures & emotions

---

9️⃣ Easy Read Quiz

True / False:

1. Advocacy is only about speaking.

2. Mentoring can use visual aids.

3. Non-verbal cues should be ignored.

4. Coaching can involve role-play.

Multiple Choice:
5. Purple Traffic Light Card means:
A) I want to speak
B) I need a break
C) I am confused

6. What helps someone communicate if they cannot talk?
   A) Pictures & words
   B) Talking faster
   C) Ignoring them

Answers:

1. False

2. True

3. False

4. True

5. B

6. A

---

10️⃣ Printable / Visual Materials

• Traffic Light Cards 🟢🟡🔵🔴🟣

• Emotion / Problem / Urgency Cards

• Body Language & Gesture Icons

• Step-by-Step Storyboards / Posters

• Easy Read Booklet Pages

• Role-Play Sheets

• Quiz Pages