West Ancroft
Berwick-upon-Tweed
TD15 2TD
Telephone: 01289 387099
Being a mum with two dyslexic boys, I can understand the worries and difficulties that dyslexia creates, and it was through reading various articles about the subject that I discovered I(D)L.
During a visit to Starcross, in Devon, I had the pleasure of meeting Jack and Rosemary Denner, the founders of I(D)L, as well as other tutors, and the results of their work were impressive, with pupils making remarkable progress in a very short time.
I also had the opportunity of talking to some of the adults and children who are currently using I(D)L as a way of overcoming their dyslexic problems, and to some of their parents. They all explained how well the method was improving their reading and spelling ability, as well as boosting their self-confidence.
Although there are many I(D)L Centres in the south of England, with some abroad, the two most northerly centres are located in Rochdale and on the Isle of Man.
I felt sure this system could benefit not only my own children but perhaps other people in our area as well, and for this reason, I decided to train as a tutor and open the Lindisfarne Dyslexia I(D)L Centre, which is located at West Ancroft, the farm where we live, some five miles from Berwick-upon-Tweed.
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The word dyslexia literally means "difficulty with words". Research has shown that one in ten of the population has some form of dyslexia and it affects four times more boys than girls .
Parents of dyslexic children are, naturally, very concerned by their child's lack of reading and spelling ability.
Children themselves may become worried, but often try to conceal their fears. They perhaps have to endure teasing at school, which often leads to behavioural problems.
Adults who have received little or no help are often embarrassed by their lack of reading and spelling ability and sometimes feel unable to achieve their full potential in employment.
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One of the most likely causes of dyslexia is that it has been inherited, as symptoms are often seen to exist within the family. Some of the following symptoms are common in dyslexia and if several are present, particularly in someone known to be bright and intelligent, then specialist help would be advised.
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I(D)L or Indirect Learning was devised by the Starcross Educational Research Association and over the last ten years has proved to be an extremely successful way of overcoming the symptoms of dyslexia.
The method itself is based on pupils learning, very quickly, how to use the talking computer, and then working their way through gently graded exercises, involving reading and spelling. Through using their sense of touch, sight, hearing and speech, I(D)L enables the pupils to build up connections within the brain which will help them overcome their dyslexic problems.
The emphasis is very much on the pupil learning from the computer, rather than the computer teaching him/her. In this way, the pupil feels in control of the situation and is able to progress at a comfortable rate, without being under any form of pressure. Although the computer does the work, there is always a tutor on hand to monitor progress and to help when necessary (but this is kept to a minimum).
To verify the presence or level of dyslexia, an initial assessment is carried out using a method commonly used throughout the country and once a pupil begins I(D)L they are re-assessed every three months to monitor the progress they have made and to plan future lessons.
Each lesson of I(D)L lasts for one hour and it is recommended that pupils attend twice a week to achieve good progress and ensure continuity of learning.
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If you require any further information, or would like to arrange an assessment, please contact me, Carol Douglas, on 01289 387099
Lindisfarne Dyslexia I(D)L Centre
West Ancroft
BERWICK-UPON-TWEED
TD15 2TD
Telephone: 01289 387099
Starcross Dyslexia Trust Regd Charity No: 1048450