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.
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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.
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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 55| No 1, April 2023
In the Spotlight: Tier 2 intervention and differentiation
This issue focuses specifically on the common reading difficulties students experience, as well as considerations and recommendations for small…
This issue focuses specifically on the common reading difficulties students experience, as well as considerations and recommendations for small group intervention in the primary and secondary context, in both literacy and numeracy.
This issue focuses specifically on the common reading difficulties students experience, as well as considerations and recommendations for small group intervention in the primary and secondary context, in both literacy and numeracy.
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Would you like access to the full publication? Become a member
Events
Morph Mastery
Louise Selby will leave you feeling inspired with all the tools you need to teach morphology within the classroom…
Louise Selby will leave you feeling inspired with all the tools you need to teach morphology within the classroom or 1:1 sessions. Louise is the author of Morph Mastery: A Morphological Intervention for Reading, Spelling and Vocabulary. She will…
Louise Selby will leave you feeling inspired with all the tools you need to teach morphology within the classroom or 1:1 sessions. Louise is the author of Morph Mastery: A Morphological Intervention for Reading, Spelling and Vocabulary. She will demonstrate using the Morphological Awareness Assessment and will go through a range of practical activities and templates to support your teaching. This training is provided over two sessions, attendees are expected to attend both sessions.
Date: Tue 13th & 20th June, 2023
Time: 7:00pm to 8:30pm AEST (Please note this is Melbourne standard time)
Cost:
Non-Member: $85
LDA Member: $75
LDA Student Member: $45
Handwriting for Secondary School Exams
Date: Monday 17th July
Time: 7:30pm – 9:00pm AEST
Cost:
LDA member – $60
Student Member – $30
Non-member – $40
Course Description
In this…
Date: Monday 17th July
Time: 7:30pm – 9:00pm AEST
Cost:
LDA member – $60
Student Member – $30
Non-member – $40
Course Description
In this webinar, Robyn will focus on the challenges faced by senior secondary school students in the lead-up to their final exams….
Date: Monday 17th July
Time: 7:30pm – 9:00pm AEST
Cost:
LDA member – $60
Student Member – $30
Non-member – $40
Course Description
In this webinar, Robyn will focus on the challenges faced by senior secondary school students in the lead-up to their final exams. Participants will gain an understanding of:
How handwriting speed and legibility as well as hand pain can impact student’s participation and success at their final examinations.
An overview of useful assessments for handwriting evaluation.
The importance of timely support applications for students and the necessary parts of an application will be covered, including using and interpreting the results of assessments.
Methods for using Telehealth to complete assessments.
Definition and description of dysgraphia and the impact on senior secondary school students.
Valid reasons for last-minute applications.
Working with year 12 coordinators to achieve the best outcomes for students.
A brief overview of the state and territory differences in applying for Special Provisions.
There will be an opportunity for participants to ask questions.
About Robyn Bartram
Robyn is a Victorian Occupational Therapist who runs her own Private Practice. For more than 20 years, in both her Private Practice and while she was working with students with hand injuries at the Royal Children’s Hospital, Robyn has been involved in applying to the Victorian Curriculum Assessment Authority for Special Examination Arrangements.
She has focussed her practice on using evidence-based techniques and enjoyable repetition when assisting students with learning difficulties and fine motor deficits to build on their skills and improve their handwriting. This early intervention enables students to participate better within the classroom and gain more from the learning environment.
Robyn’s earlier webinars for LDA have focussed on the acquisition and improvement of handwriting skills.
LDA Blog
Insurance Info for Private Practitioners
It has been brought to our attention by a consultant member that LDA consultants and members operating a business…
It has been brought to our attention by a consultant member that LDA consultants and members operating a business from the home might not be aware of their disclosure obligations and coverage with regards to their home building and…
It has been brought to our attention by a consultant member that LDA consultants and members operating a business from the home might not be aware of their disclosure obligations and coverage with regards to their home building and contents insurance. We strongly encourage you to make your own enquiries of your broker or insurance provider. Please see additional information here.
New General Manager!
Dear LDA Members,
We are absolutely delighted to announce the appointment of Dr Sherree Halliwell as the new General Manager…
Dear LDA Members,
We are absolutely delighted to announce the appointment of Dr Sherree Halliwell as the new General Manager for LDA. This position is for 0.4 FTE or two days a week, and the appointment completes our staffing recruitment….
Dear LDA Members,
We are absolutely delighted to announce the appointment of Dr Sherree Halliwell as the new General Manager for LDA. This position is for 0.4 FTE or two days a week, and the appointment completes our staffing recruitment. The LDA Executive team unanimously selected Sherree from a strong field of candidates and considers Sherree exceptionally well suited for the role with much to offer LDA.
Sherree had a successful career in the private sector with high-level management experience. She has extensive experience in not-for-profit roles and has recently completed her PhD studies. She comes to LDA with impressive recommendations from her referees in both the academic and not-for-profit sectors, including high praise for her intellectual rigour, research skills, the quality of her publications, meeting deadlines, effective work with various stakeholders, and strengths in strategic planning.
Sherree will balance the GM role with continued research in health and wellbeing and an ongoing commitment as a board member of a large not-for-profit. Sherree has a personal passion for supporting and advocating for the systemically disadvantaged and unheard communities within society. She also has a first-hand understanding of learning difficulties, strongly supports LDA’s mission and sees exciting opportunities for growth and sustaining LDA as a viable organisation for assisting students with learning difficulties.
We welcomed Sherree to the LDA team on Monday, May 8th, and she has been busy meeting with the Executive, Business Administrator, and Education Manager to familiarise herself with our operations. Sherree lives in Queensland, so we have not yet had the opportunity to meet and welcome her in person, but we look forward to having that opportunity at our AGM in October.
Kind Regards,
Elaine McLeish
President LDA
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