Tier 3 that works: Equity and Impact for Students with Learning Difficulties

This session will give LDA consultants a brief tour of some of the most useful and popular decodable and transitional texts in the large collection at Spelfabet in North Fitzroy, and discuss ways to maximise their usefulness in intervention. Specialist publishers like Phonic Books (now owned by DK books), High Noon, Barrington Stoke, Red Rhino and Ransom Publishing are producing new titles, and several mainstream publishers are seeking a slice of this increasingly lucrative market, but with variable success. Most decodable and transitional texts are still mainly available online, so it's difficult to browse them and check their quality/suitability for your client group prior to purchase. Attendees wanting specific issues or questions discussed should email them to alison.clarke@spelfabet.com.au well ahead of the session, and there will be time for questions/discussion at the end. Note: This event is for LDA Consultants only. ** This webinar will be recorded and available for to LDA Consultants** Date: Tuesday, 10th March 2026 Time: 7 pm - 8:30 pm AEDT (Melbourne Time) Cost: Free (This webinar is funded by the Anne Barton bequest) Bookings LDA Consultants would have received an email with booking details. Please contact enquiries@ldaustralia.org if you need any support. Speaker Alison has been a Speech Pathologist since 1988. She has a Masters in Applied Linguistics, and has worked in education, health, disability, early intervention and now private practice. She also taught English at RMIT and a Mexican university. She has worked as an ASD specialist, and her training includes Sounds-Write, the Writing Revolution and Self-Regulated Strategy Development (SRSD). She runs the Spelfabet website and therapy service, is a SPELD-Vic Committee member, was 2015-16 Learning Difficulties Australia (LDA) Vice-President, and has been a City Councillor and Mayor. She received LDA’s 2018 Mona Tobias Award, and a 2022 Medal of the Order of Australia. She has a LOT of decodable books.

Please note that although the live has already taken place, you can still enrol in the course and access the recordings. Dates: Wednesday 18th and 25th March 2026 Time: 7-8:30 pm AEDT A specific learning disorder is characterised by persistent difficulties learning a key academic skill. There are a number of specific learning difficulties that have the potential to affect a student's school performance. A specific disorder with impairment in reading, often referred to as dyslexia A specific learning disorder with impairment in written expression A specific learning disorder with impairment in mathematics, often referred to as dyscalculia In addition to specific learning disorders, there are also a number of other developmental disorders which can have an impact on how a child develops academic skills. Two of these disorders are: Developmental language disorder (DLD) - this is diagnosed when a student has persistent language problems that continue into school age. Developmental coordination disorder (DCD) - this is a motor-based disorder that affects approxmately 5% of primary-aged children. It impacts on fine and gross motor skills and can interfere with academic achievement. This practical two-part course (18/3, 25/3) will focus on Developmental Coordination Disorder and Developmental Language Disorder and will be delivered by an experienced Occupational Therapist and Speech Pathologist. See below for the program. Wednesday 18th March -Not just clumsy - identifying and supporting children and young people with DCD in the classroom (Shana Boltin) This presentation will give teachers a clear and practical understanding of Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) - what it is, how it typically presents in the classroom, and the everyday challenges students may experience. Shana will outline key indicators that signal when a child may require further assessment or referral, and share evidence‑informed strategies teachers can use to support participation, confidence, and skill development. Educators will walk away with practical tools to recognise DCD early, adapt tasks and environments, and work effectively with families and allied health professionals to enhance student outcomes. Wednesday 25th March - Developmental Language Disorder: Strategies for Inclusive Teaching (Dr Shaun Ziegenfusz) Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) is a common but often hidden lifelong condition affecting 1 in 14 students. It affects how children understand and use language, with significant impacts on learning and academic achievement. This practical webinar will support teachers and inclusive education staff to recognise the key characteristics of DLD, understand how it can present in the classroom, and identify the challenges students may experience at school. Participants will leave with evidence-informed strategies and classroom adjustments to support access to the curriculum with real-world examples. **This course will be recorded and available for two weeks after the event** Cost LDA Member: $90 LDA Student Member - $70 Non-Member - $120 About the Speakers Shana Boltin Shana Boltin is an experienced children’s occupational therapist with two decades of practice across Melbourne, Australia, and London, UK. During her seven years as Lead Occupational Therapist for the Camden School Health Service at the Royal Free NHS Trust, she led a team of more than ten clinicians and helped pioneer the UK’s first tiered, school based OT model—now replicated nationwide. Shana has specialised in early intervention through the Ei SMART clinic, contributed to CAMHS teams, and participated in specialist diagnostic services, including DCD and Autism. She now works as the Program Lead for Child Adult and Family Therapies at Better Health Network (BHN) and is the co-founder of OT Applied, a training organisation supporting the professional growth of OTs through a neurodivergent affirming lens. Her interests include school based OT practice, service development, impact measurement, and workforce training. Dr Shaun Ziegenfusz Dr Shaun Ziegenfusz is a speech pathologist, researcher, and Co-CEO of The DLD Project, with more than 15 years’ experience working with people with Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) and their families. He completed his Doctor of Philosophy studies at Griffith University, where he investigated the education needs and supports for school-aged students with DLD from the perspective of key stakeholders. Shaun is also Chair of The DLD Project Foundation Board and a volunteer member of the Raising Awareness of Developmental Language Disorder (RADLD) International Committee. He is passionate about blending clinical experience and research to support students, families, professionals and schools. Pre-course optional learning If you would like to learn more about specific learning difficulties before attending this course, we recommend Identifying and supporting students with dyslexia from our on-demand library.

How well are schools supporting students with dyslexia—and what needs to change? This presentation explores new research on best practice and system-level gaps in dyslexia provision across Victorian schools. The research has implications for schools in Australia and beyond. It identifies what’s working, where challenges remain, and how teachers and principals can drive change to create more equitable, inclusive, and effective learning environments for all students. **This webinar will be recorded and available for two weeks after the event** Date: Tuesday 17th February 2026 Time: 7:30 pm - 8:30 pm AEDT (Melbourne Time) Cost LDA Member: $30 LDA Student Member - $15 Non-Member - $50 About Dr Bec Marland Dr Bec Marland is a course chair, lecturer, and researcher in inclusive education at Victoria University, where she leads courses in initial teacher education. Her doctoral research focused on dyslexia in school contexts, with implications for policy and practice. An alumna of University College London with postgraduate qualifications in dyslexia, Bec brings a rich background as a former teacher in both the UK and Australia. She is a strong advocate for dyslexia reform in education and employment. She was the recipient of the 2025 Learning Difficulties Australia Tertiary Student Award.

Twice-exceptional students (those with gifted ability alongside ADHD or Autism) often generate sophisticated ideas but struggle to get them onto the page. This session explores the factors that shape writing performance, including working-memory load, organisation, and transcription barriers. Practical strategies will be shared for scaffolding text-level writing, leveraging strengths, and reducing barriers so students can express their knowledge with confidence. ** This webinar will be recorded and available for 24 months to LDA Consultants** Date: Wednesday 3rd December 2025 Time: 7pm to 8:30pm AEDT Cost: Free (This webinar is funded by the Anne Barton bequest) Bookings LDA Consultants would have received an email with booking details. Please contact enquiries@ldaustralia.org if you need any support. Speaker Melinda de Haan is an Educational Coordinator at the Royal Children’s Hospital Learning Difficulties Clinic and former Head of Learning Diversity at Camberwell Girls Grammar School. She specialises in assessing and supporting students with learning differences and twice-exceptionality, drawing on experience across schools, clinics, and university settings. Melinda’s work bridges research and practice, helping educators translate cognitive and academic data into effective, strengths-based instruction.