Welcome to Learning Difficulties Australia
Learning Difficulties Australia is an association of teachers and other professionals dedicated to assisting students with learning difficulties through effective teaching practices based on scientific research, both in the classroom and through individualised instruction.
JOIN US!
The Science of Effective Reading Instruction: Theory and Practice
Perth | Saturday 31 July 2021
Not sure how a comprehensive reading approach taught explicitly looks like? Join Associate Professor Lorraine Hammond, Jared Bussell, Jordan O’Sullivan and Brooke Wardana for a day that focuses on both the Science of Reading and how to teach it.
Learn More
Join a community of professionals committed to effective teaching.
By becoming a member of LDA, you will have an opportunity to meet fellow teachers, speech-language pathologists, psychologists, researchers and other professionals working in the field of education who have a passion for improving student outcomes through effective instruction based on scientific research.
Members receive regular LDA publications via post, including the LDA Bulletin and the Australian Journal of Learning Difficulties as well as member discounts for participation in workshops, seminars and conferences.
You will also have access to the ‘Members Only’ areas of our website where you can obtain past issues of our publications as well as conference and seminar notes.
Latest Publication
Bulletin | Volume 54 | No 3, December 2022
In the spotlight: Writing and handwriting: Research, best practice and intervention
This issue of the Bulletin features articles on Writing and Handwriting. It also contains information on the 2022 AGM…
This issue of the Bulletin features articles on Writing and Handwriting. It also contains information on the 2022 AGM and a review of the recent Linnea Ehri events.
This issue of the Bulletin features articles on Writing and Handwriting. It also contains information on the 2022 AGM and a review of the recent Linnea Ehri events.
Download Preview
Would you like access to the full publication? Become a member
Events
Unlocking Numeracy
We are thrilled to be having another face to face event at the Treacy Centre in Melbourne. This event…
We are thrilled to be having another face to face event at the Treacy Centre in Melbourne. This event will be partially funded by an annual bequest from the family of Anne Barton, one of our highly esteemed and…
We are thrilled to be having another face to face event at the Treacy Centre in Melbourne. This event will be partially funded by an annual bequest from the family of Anne Barton, one of our highly esteemed and much-missed Consultants who died in 2020.
Some of the topics covered on the day will include:
Early numeracy competencies and mathematical language
Automaticity
Numeracy in Everyday Life for Secondary School Students
Another highlight of the day is the donation of Anne's teaching resources which will be available for viewing and collection on the day. Please bring a bag if you wish to take some of these resources.
Date: Sunday 2nd April, 2023
Time: 9:15am registration for a 9:45am start, finishing at 3:15pm
Cost:
Non-Member: $130
LDA Member: $90
LDA Student Member: $70
Catering: Welcome tea and coffee, morning tea and lunch will be provided.
Speakers
Nathalie Perry
Dr Anne Bellert
Prof. David Evans
Erin Rollason
Dealing with ADHD Challenges in Schools
This online presentation will explain some of the difficulties that students with ADHD can experience with academic tasks and…
This online presentation will explain some of the difficulties that students with ADHD can experience with academic tasks and with their behaviour. Dr Poulton will address how to deal with those challenges in the school environment.
Wednesday 26th April, 7:30pm…
This online presentation will explain some of the difficulties that students with ADHD can experience with academic tasks and with their behaviour. Dr Poulton will address how to deal with those challenges in the school environment.
Wednesday 26th April, 7:30pm – 8:30pm AEST
Non-member – $30LDA member – $15Student Member – $10
"ADHD Made Simple" by Dr Alison Poulton
If you are interested in purchasing Dr Poulton's book, you can do so on our LDA bookshop site here. We have a number of great resources on ADHD on this site.
About Dr Alison (Sally) Poulton
Alison (Sally) Poulton MBBChir, MD (Cantab), FRACP is a paediatrician and Senior Lecturer at the University of Sydney’s Brain and Mind Centre Nepean, with more than 25 years of experience in treating ADHD. Her research has included studying the effects of stimulant medication on growth and physical maturation. She is interested in the patterns of attention and concentration experienced by people of all ages with ADHD, and is excited by the possibility that these experiential descriptions might be more specific for ADHD than the symptom based diagnostic criteria. Her models of ADHD, as described in her book: ‘ADHD Made Simple’ and on her educational website (www.poultonadhd.com.au) describe her way of explaining ADHD and its relationship with oppositional defiant disorder. These models can explain some of the difficulties that students with ADHD can experience with academic tasks and with their behaviour.
LDA Blog
General Manager Position
Learning Difficulties Australia (LDA) is seeking an experienced General Manager to join itsprofessional team to achieve the organisation’s objectives.
LDA…
Learning Difficulties Australia (LDA) is seeking an experienced General Manager to join itsprofessional team to achieve the organisation’s objectives.
LDA is a national association of teachers and other professionals who are dedicated toassisting students with learning difficulties through effective teaching…
Learning Difficulties Australia (LDA) is seeking an experienced General Manager to join itsprofessional team to achieve the organisation’s objectives.
LDA is a national association of teachers and other professionals who are dedicated toassisting students with learning difficulties through effective teaching practices based onscientific research, both in the classroom and through individualised instruction.
LDA is committed to promoting an understanding of learning difficulties in the educationcommunity and beyond. As an organisation with a long history, we are seeking to build onour strengths and develop a professional staff to help deliver the association’s vision.
This is a part-time (2 days per week) national role with flexibility as to location. Some travelmay be required to meet with other members of the professional team and with theCouncil.
Please see the Position Description for background and more information about LDA andthe requirements of the position.
If you have experience in the not-for-profit sector, can meet the key performance areas ofthe position, and would like to apply your considerable management expertise to supportand develop the association into the future, we would welcome your application. See thePosition Description and application form here.
CodeRead Competition
Below is a link to a national Dyslexia Awareness campaign via Code Read Dyslexia Support Network. It is a…
Below is a link to a national Dyslexia Awareness campaign via Code Read Dyslexia Support Network. It is a creative response activity about Special Agent Sam McGregor. Please feel free to share it with your networks.
https://codereadnetwork.org/october-2022-dyslexia-awareness-month-ideas-for-schools-organisations/
Below is a link to a national Dyslexia Awareness campaign via Code Read Dyslexia Support Network. It is a creative response activity about Special Agent Sam McGregor. Please feel free to share it with your networks.
https://codereadnetwork.org/october-2022-dyslexia-awareness-month-ideas-for-schools-organisations/
Effective Instruction
Teachers are a major force for improving society. To be successful, the teaching profession must base its instructional practices on the results of good quality empirical research, and this involves keeping abreast of scientific developments. One of LDA’s main goals is to keep bridging the gaps between evolving scientific knowledge and members of the teaching profession, including educational policy makers, teacher education faculties, and teachers at the chalkface. Visit the skill areas below to learn about initiatives, approaches and programs that are being used effectively in each area.
Reading
Reading is a complex skill and it is a relatively recent invention, as far as human timelines go. Unlike speaking and listening, humans aren’t predisposed to develop reading skills naturally.
Find out more
Spelling
Reading and spelling are closely linked, but also draw on different skills and processes. At the most basic level, spelling is a production task while reading is one of recognition.
Find out more
Writing
As with reading, writing is not a natural skill and therefore must be taught. Unfortunately, many teachers do not feel well prepared to teach writing.
Find out more
Numeracy
Numeracy is a concept that is referred to as the ability to make use of mathematical concepts adeptly in our daily lives.
Find out more