Empowering Parents to realise the full potential of children and young people with Dyslexia

DESCRIPTION

This self-paced online course is designed to develop Parents’ knowledge and expertise in working positively with children and young people with Dyslexia in order to reach their full potential.

Empowering Parents to realise the full potential of children and young people with Dyslexia (DYSXP) masterclass course provides parents with the deep understanding and knowledge of how they can support their children with Dyslexia in terms of social understanding, friendship skills and emotional regulation.

Moreover, the course places emphasis on the need to recognize and respond to the emotional and mental health difficulties often seen in children with Dyslexia.

Equally important the course provides detailed reference on how parents can recognize and utilize the special skills & abilities of children with Dyslexia.

This course is part of the Special Educational Needs (SEN) online academy of ShipCon.


MAIN AIMS

  • Provide parents the knowledge and understanding of SEN and Special Learning Difficulties (SPLD’s) in general and Dyslexia in particular and the key areas of difficulty
  • Understand the signs and symptoms of Dyslexia and co-occurring conditions
  • Increase parent’s knowledge and understanding of the components of the definition of Dyslexia and how this impacts on their learning and functioning.
  • Understand the diagnostic and assessment process
  • Comprehend the importance of emotional and behavioural wellbeing of children and young people with Dyslexia.
  • Develop strategies to support children with Dyslexia to learn social understanding, friendship skills and emotional regulation.
  • Recognize and respond to the emotional and mental health difficulties often seen in children with Dyslexia.
  • Recognize and utilize the special skills & abilities of children with Dyslexia

WHY DYSXP?

Dyslexia is a neurological difference and can have a significant impact during education, in the workplace and in everyday life. As each person is unique, so is everyone’s experience of dyslexia. It can range from mild to severe, and it can co-occur with other learning differences. It usually runs in families and is a life-long condition. However, it is widely accepted that children with Dyslexia have their own strengths & qualities, such as logical reasoning, visual understanding and high levels of creativity. Moreover, there are many cases where the cognitive ability of children with Dyslexia is higher compared to the average of their peers.

The uniqueness of DYSXP course lies in the fact that it places emphasis to the strengths and qualities of children with Dyslexia rather than focusing on areas of weaknesses. DYSXP does so by focusing on how parents can develop strategies in building a healthy social environment for their children. Moreover, DYSXP places emphasis on equipping the parents with the required knowledge in understanding the appropriate methodologies to maximize the efficiency of formal & informal learning of their children.

All presentations in this course are both visual and audio. The course is being developed by highly experienced tutors with vast expertise in the area of Special Educational Needs (SEN).


WHO TO ATTEND?

  • Parents
  • Guardians

METHODOLOGY OF THE COURSE – ADDED VALUE

Empowering Parents to realise the full potential of children and young people with Dyslexia (DYSXP) is an online self-paced (asynchronous) course. All presentations are both visual and audio.

It consists of 6 hours of video covering four (4) distinct modules. Highly experienced tutor goes through the whole course, providing ample explanation – in an easy-to-follow manner – to all the areas & concepts covered by the course. Moreover, the tutor will provide a significant amount of useful background information and explanations throughout the course and in a way which is easy to follow and understand.

Each module has a specific area to cover and consists of various learning Units. Each Unit has its own distinct objective (Unit Learning Objective). Finally, each Unit has its own topics, each one with a specific objective (Topic Learning Objective).  

Therefore, each Module has its own distinct aim/outcome, which is being served by distinct Units and Topics.

In this way, the attendee can easily follow the tutor as he/she goes through the whole material of the course.

The attendees of the course will be hugely benefited from the fact that they can have a 3-month online support by the responsible tutor of the course. This is very important to all those with busy working or personal schedule who need to go through the material at their own pace. 

The methodology of the course is based on a combination of three important elements:

  • Provision of knowledge required
  • Use of training tools, such as case studies, videos, games, animations & exercises (practice – hands on experience)
  • Feedback/reflection (review)

CERTIFICATIONS AWARDED

  • Certificate of attendance/competence (skills & competences acquired) by ShipCon with CPD units

COURSE CONTENT 

Module I – Signs and Symptoms

                   Unit I: Understanding Dyslexia

                              Topic l:      Facts about Dyslexia

                              Topic ll:     The cause of Dyslexia and risk factors

                              Topic lll:    How the Dyslexic brain functions

                   Unit II:  Understanding the impacts of Dyslexia

                              Topic l:       What my child may be experiencing

                              Topic ll:      Positive characteristics and strengths

                              Topic lll:     First responses to Dyslexia

Module II – Informal Assessment and Diagnosis

                   Unit I: Getting Help

                             Topic l:  Who to talk to if I’m worried?

                             Topic ll: Understanding the process

                  Unit II: The Diagnostic Journey

                              Topic l:    What will the professionals be looking for?

                              Topic ll:   What can I be doing while the process is underway?  

                              Topic lll:   I worry about labelling and stigma

                              Topic lV:   What are our rights ? 

Module lll:  Support and help at home

                    Unit I: Understanding your child’s Dyslexia

                              Topic l:  First tasks for parents

                              Topic ll: Working with the school

                    Unit II: Talking about the impacts of Dyslexia

                               Topic l:   Some hot hints and tips

                               Topic ll:  Talking about Dyslexia

Module lV: Supporting Healthy Social Development

                   Unit I: Dyslexia as a catalyst for emotions?

                              Topic l:  The importance of Early Intervention

                              Topic ll: Understanding the emotional difficulties

                              Topic lll: Understanding Self and others

                   Unit II: Strategies for helping

                               Topic l: Recognising and reducing emotional impacts

                               Topic ll: Friendships and dyslexia

                               Topic lll. Ideas and Supports


TRAINER

Angela Winstanley is a highly experienced Trainer/Consultant in Operations Management and Care Services with particular specialism in Autism.

Qualified in Social Work and a degree level qualified Operations Manager, with a background predominantly in care services. For a period of 24 years Angela managed teams and Operations, including all aspects of business development, Strategic Planning and implementation, and Operational Management, at Senior level.

Angela has worked with UK Investors in People as an Assessor, and trained as a Health and Safety/Risk Manager, – she is highly experienced in Quality Audit including Care Quality Commission (CQC) UK, for whom she was Registered as a Service Manager. During her long career Angela has worked within UK Social Services, Health Service, Education and the Voluntary Sector – she has also been seconded to the UK the Prison Service.

In her work for a UK National Charity Angela was trained in ‘Facing the Media’ and undertook numerous TV and Radio interviews, also being published in journals, and National Press.

Since relocating full time to Cyprus in 2012 Angela has delivered both Management and Autism training as a freelance trainer, in UK. Cyprus and the United Arab Emirates. Angela is currently involved in the development of specific Training Within a 3 year ERASMUS project and will be delivering training in Cyprus, Croatia and FYR Macedonia.

Experience:

  • ShipCon Head Trainer, 2016 – Present

Responsible for developing and delivering a range of Education based training across Europe. Involvement in Project development.

  • Freelance Consultant / Trainer – ACCREDO Support Services (Mental Health / Learning disability / Autism).  United Kingdom    – 2011 – 2016
  • Freelance Trainer – Focus – Abu Dhabi – UAE – Delivering Management training to Abu Dhabi Police force. – 2012 – 2016
  • Freelance Consultant / Trainer – ASSP (Autism Assessment Support Practise) Centre Limassol, Cyprus

Responsible for Assessments, responsive programme setting, supporting key staff in interventions, training.  –   2011 – 2017

  • Area Manager, National Autistic Society, UK. 2003 – April 2011
    • Responsible for Operational and Strategic Management of Autism Specific Services across the midlands / East Midlands area
  • Locality Manager – National Autistic Society UK. 1998 –2003

              Responsible for Management of Adult Autism services across 4 UK countries, including

              Residential Homes, Outreach and Supported Living Services, University Support Services,

              Day Services

  • Registered Manager – National Autistic Society UK. March 1996 –1998

Responsible for start – up and Management of first Residential and Day Services for Adults with Autism, Northamptonshire. Registered as Manager with UK Care Quality Commission.

Supported development of NAS Hayes Special Hospital, Bristol UK

  • Team Leader – Northamptonshire Social Services. UK. 1988 – 1996

Responsible for Management of Service for Young adults with disabilities, Co- ordination of Social Work, Nursing and Education Teams and project lead on relocation from Hospital campus to community services. 

Change Management in Northamptonshire Day Services. – as part of a specifically recruited management team to identify the need for and implement change processes within Social Services Departments.

Internal Trainer

Management of Generic Unit for adults with Special Care needs and Challenging Behaviour.

Qualifications:

  • Qualified Social Worker,- Selly Oak Colleges, United Kingdom.
  • Applied Psychology,- Selly Oak Colleges, United Kingdom United Kingdom
  • Degree in Operational and Strategic Management – United Kingdom
  • Certificate in Management Studies. United Kingdom
  • Investors in People Assessor – United Kingdom
  • A range of CPD certificates pertinent to the field of autism, Asperger syndrome.
  • Training the Trainer

Achievements & awards:

  • Part of the team who developed the National Autistic Society SPELL framework.
  • Part of the team who conducted the Autism Accreditation assessments and panel member.
  • Investors in People Assessor
  • EarlyBird Trainer (Autism Parent Training, NAS)
  • SocialEyes facilitator (Social programmes for Asperger individuals, NAS)
  • PCP (Person Centered Planning) facilitator
  • Autism Support Counsellor (NAS PROJECT) to RELATE – marriage guidance council
  • Regulation 26 (CQC standards UK) -Appointed Visitor

Publications and Media:

  • Daily Telegraph – Supporting Parents with transition to residential Services. Article May 1998
  • Community Care Magazine – Parents of autistic children urged to use support schemes August 2002
  • Observer / Guardian – Asperger Syndrome- May 19, 2001 – ‘Angela Finne, a social worker who specialises in autism, notes that her clients have difficulty understanding surreal humour’
  • Daily Mail – Starting up Residential Services for Autism – Article – 1999
  • Contributor -The process of Ageing and Autism – .2003
  • Contributor – Ignored and Ineligible? The reality for Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders- 2001 (Angela Finne)
  • BBC Channel 5 TV – Gloria Hunniford Show – Interview on Diet and Autism
  • BBC Radio – You and Yours – Interview on the impacts of Autism on families
  • ITV Breakfast TV – A look behind the doors of Residential Autism Services
  • Cyprus Radio – Phone in Q & A for Autism parents
  • UK House of Commons – Presentation to MP’s on Autism and Mental Capacity.

Training delivered:

United Kingdom:

  • National Autistic Society:
    • Delivered a range of training in autism, Asperger syndrome, behaviour, social understanding, mental health, transition planning, Person Centered Planning, Leadership and management,
    • NAS accredited SPELL trainer
    • Training the trainer.
  • ACCREDO Support & Development:
    • Staff training in Autism, Mental Health approaches and Management
  • Sussex Autism Society
    • Staff training on a range of Autism specific themes
  • Northamptonshire Social Services
    • Delivered a range of courses on Learning Difficulties, including Sexuality and Relationships

International:

  • Abu Dhabi – UAE – Management and Soft Skills Training to Abu Dhabi Police Force
  • CyprusAASP – Introduction to Autism, Using visual Structures, Communication in Autism

Famagusta Autism Society – a range of Autism specific courses, Supervisory Management, Person Centered Planning

  • ESIPP – (Equity and Social Inclusion through Positive Parenting)

Autism 5 day training delivered to professionals and parents in North Macedonia, Croatia and Cyprus. Included Training Trainers

  • ShipCon – Cyprus
    • Special Educational Needs
    • Autism
    • Soft Skills
    • Management

Conference presentations:

United Kingdom:

  • Presented at a range of conferences including:
    • Partnership working between Local Authorities and Autism Providers- National Autistic Society conferences
    • Leicester University Diversity Conference – ‘All about Autism’
    • United Kingdom – ESIPP – Working with Structure in Autism

International:

  • North Macedonia – ESIPP Conference – Sensory Impacts in Autism
  • Croatia – ESIPP – Sensory Impacts in Autism
  • Cyprus – ESIPP – Joint working with Parents in Autism
  • Cyprus – SENPower – The impacts of Special Educational Needs on Development and overview of the programme
  • Portugal- SENPower – The impacts of SENPower on young people with Special Educational Needs on Development and overview of the programme

Research programmes and collaborative work:

  • ESIPP Project – Partners – UK, Cyprus, North Macedonia, Croatia – Developing Autism research- based training for Parents and training trainers in each partner country
  • SENPower – Partners from Lithuania, Spain, Portugal, Cyprus, Italy. Developing tools to support young adults with Specific Learning Difficulties and Entrepreneurship.
  • PCP Autism – Partners – Romania, Bulgaria, Italy, North Macedonia Cyprus, Greece – Developing Person Centered Planning tools and training with relation to children and adults with Autism
  • Ageing in Autism Project – National Autistic Society
  • Grendon Underwood Prison, UK. – Therapeutic approaches with Cat A. B prisoners (Selly Oak Colleges and the Prison Services)
  • Cyprus Ministry for Education – Environment and Practise Assessments in Paphos Area Special Needs provision in schools – comprehensive reports.

Memberships & Collorations:

  • Autism Accreditation- Panel member: 100 – 2007– 2011.
  • Famagusta Autism Support Group – Board Member – 2017 – Present.

What is included?

Life time access 6 hours of video 4 Modules,

8 Units,

22 Topics

Three months online support Certificate/CPD