Transcript Melanie Jameson - Dyslexia International
Melanie Jameson BA, PGCE, Dip RSA, AMBDA DYSLEXIA CONSULTANCY MALVERN, UK [email protected] www.dyslexia-malvern.co.uk
DITT Webinar March 2012 SUPPORTING OFFENDERS WITH DYSLEXIA
WHY?
HOW?
WHY WE NEED TO KNOW ABOUT DYSLEXIA
1. Research on offenders shows that around 20% have a hidden disability such as dyslexia
SEE The Incidence of Hidden Disabilities in the Prison
Population (2005) UK, Learning & Skills Council 2. People with dyslexia (and related conditions) fare badly in the criminal justice system for dyslexia-related reasons:
inconsistencies imply ‘untruthfulness’
failure to grasp the import of questions seems ‘evasive’
hesitancy suggests you are ‘unsure about your evidence’
a reaction to stress can be misinterpreted as ‘aggression’
the breakdown of coping strategies gives an impression of complete incompetence
HOW TO SUPPORT DYSLEXIC OFFENDERS
1. Be aware that they are largely
visual
learners 2. Teach the
subskills
(as well as the skills) 3. Break tasks into
component parts
4. Use
technology
(to compensate for poor literacy) 5. Include
memory
and
organisational
strategies 6. Organise a
mentoring
or ‘buddy’ system 7. Give frequent
feedback
and encouragement 8. Use materials that
minimise Visual Stress
See www.dyslexia-malvern.co.uk/visualstress
MANY OFFENDERS WILL BE UNAWARE THAT THEY ARE DYSLEXIC
[RESOURCES ON NEXT SLIDE]
1. SOFTWARE: Touch-type, Read & Spell
www.ttrs.co.uk
2. GUIDES from NIACE: E-learning in the Secure Estate
(2009)
Supporting adult learners with Dyslexia: harnessing the power of technology
(2006)
3. WEBSITE:
www.sentencetrouble.info
4. FREE RESOURCES
on www.dyslexia-malvern.co.uk
a) Offending, E-learning & Dyslexia
(revised 2008)
b) KIWIs
(2011)
. K
ey facts about each Specific Learning Difficulty (SpLD)
. I
mpact of the SpLD
. W
ays of Working with Offenders
. I
nformation & Networks on SpLDs
c) Good Practice Guide for Justice Professionals on SpLDs
(PDF revised 2012)
d) Probation Information Sheets
(2000)