All About Dyslexia: A Practical Guide for Primary Teachers

Foreword

Acknowledgements

Hearing from the Experts

PART 1: Introducing Dyslexia

1. Dyslexia: Context, Myths and Definitions

2. From a Learner's Perspective: How I do it Differently

PART 2: Practical Strategies in the Classroom

3. Strategies Across the Curriculum

4. Metacognition and Self-Regulated Learning

5. Spelling

6. Writing

7. Reading

8. Assistive Technology

9. Maths

PART 3: Whole School Approach

10. The Learning Environment 

11. The Learning Culture

12. Intervention

13. Transition

14. Collaboration with Parents

APPENDICES

1. How to Interpret a Diagnostic Report

2. Further Resources

3. Bibliography

Index

Biography

Louise Selby is a dyslexia specialist trainer, consultant, author, assessor and teacher. She has 25 years of experience of working with SEND within Hertfordshire local authority in teaching, SENCO and advisory roles. She now works freelance, providing training and consultancy for schools as well as dyslexia assessment. Louise believes in partnership and collaboration and this is at the heart of all that she does. She is also author of Morph Mastery: Morphological Intervention for Reading, Spelling and Vocabulary.

“This book will be a game-changer – not only does it provide essential information for assessing and supporting children with dyslexia, but also strategies to empower teachers to utilise these tools and their own skills to help all children!  The book replaces confusion with clarity, and this alone will be welcomed by teachers. Despite many initiatives in dyslexia, there are still too many uncertainties shared by many.  For that reason alone, this is a teacher must-have! Louise Selby provides a superb chronical of the developments in dyslexia and brings us all up to date and dispels many myths in the process.  This is a very clear guide for teachers illustrating what the research looks like in practice, including a very useful appendix on interpreting a diagnostic assessment report and a range of intervention approaches to suit all budgets with many of the tools costing very little. The book encompasses a whole-learning approach, including strategies on learning skills to equip the learner to be self-sufficient and independent – beyond school. Without doubt an empowering and essential book!” - Dr. Gavin Reid, Author and Psychologist, co-director The Reading Lab. Inc., Vancouver

"Louise Selby's book is a game-changer for primary educators, SENCOs, and parents seeking to support dyslexic learners. This comprehensive guide offers innovative strategies and fresh insights that transform teaching approaches and learning environments. It empowers teachers to create inclusive, supportive settings where every child can thrive. Unique to this guide are practical, classroom-ready techniques like tactile letters and visual mnemonics for spelling, engaging phonics games, and effective reading interventions. Additionally, it fosters strong collaboration with parents, creating a supportive network for each child and providing effective approaches that make a real difference." - Abigail Hawkins (FCCT), SEN Consultant, SENsible SENCO

“All About Dyslexia by Louise Selby is an essential resource for anyone working with students with dyslexia. This book stands out for it’s clear, concise and easy-to-read format, making it an indispensable tool for both new and experienced educators. It is packed with practical tips and strategies with each chapter ending with ‘Quick Wins’, empowering teachers to create engaging and effective learning environments for their dyslexic learners.” - Hema Desai, Speech and Language Therapist/Specialist Teacher, Director of Connect: Literacy, Speech and Language Services

“In her new book, Louise delivers an honest, respectful and invaluably practical insight into the world of dyslexia. The content is chunked, detailed and includes real-life stories to give the reader a deeper understanding of what it 'feels' like to be a dyslexic. Louise has thought of everything and caters to everyone's needs demonstrating simple, cost-effective methods of support for the teacher in the classroom, the tutor and the parent/carer at home. Based on the latest scientific research, Louise assures practical guidance and direction for those of us who support students with dyslexia and presents a well-meaning book with advice that practitioners will be speaking about and sharing for years to come.” - Sharon Hall MA, Dip (SEN), Founder Dyslexia Routes, Dyslexia Tutor and Trainer

"All About Dyslexia is a well-planned and sequenced guide for educators, offering clear and practical strategies to support dyslexic students across the primary curriculum. It provides insight into the experiences of dyslexic learners, highlighting their challenges and successes. The book is well-organised, covering each subject area with evidence-based approaches that are easy to implement, such as phonics-based reading techniques and concrete methods for teaching mathematics. Emphasising an inclusive classroom environment, the author advocates for recognising the strengths of dyslexic students and adapting teaching methods to meet their needs. This book is a must-read for educators dedicated to fostering a supportive and inclusive learning atmosphere.” - Adriana Verrecchia, Primary Specialist SEN Consultant for a multi-academy trust.

“Dyslexic children, their teachers and parents will thank Louise for producing such a comprehensive and accessible guide to this area.  Practical and highly relevant strategies are suggested which are achievable and relevant to day-to-day classroom practice, with potentially complex areas presented in a highly accessible and supportive way.  Louise has achieved great things with this book. Highly recommended!” - Sally-Ann Morrison, Founder and Director of Praxis CPD

“Reading, writing and spelling support can be highly variable across settings, with over-reliance on a small set of strategies and interventions that don’t work for all dyslexic children.  It’s common as a Speech and Language Therapist to see entrenched and entwined language and reading challenges, with children feeling bad about learning. I loved the flexible advice in this book, which gives quick wins as well as more involved strategies that encourage individualised support with an emphasis on independence. There is a lot to inform and extend the work of Speech and Language Therapists as well as educators in this book.” - Angharad Welch, Speech and Language Therapist, Find the Key Speech and Language Therapy

“Within the time constraints of teachers’ workload, this book is an easy read with clarity, up to date research and set out with lots of practical ideas and advice. As I read through the strategies, I realised how they could be utilised for whole staff training of quality first teaching. It's the sort of book you can put down and pick up as needed. I especially liked the simple format of the ‘Quick Wins’, something that we all look for in today's teaching climate.  The voice of the child is so important as it gives true life insight into the difficulties that our young people face and that they need to be part of the process of support in order to be engaged. The book covers everything from early reading through to written techniques for KS2 children. I'm excited to see the book published! - Clare Lewis, Head of School, Lime Tree Primary Academy

“This book is packed full of ideas and tips for how to plan learning in a way that is inclusive and supportive of dyslexic learners, so that they can experience success and be enabled to work to their potential, but is also, as the author says, about learning how to teach everyone ‘really, really well’. The voices of those with dyslexia giving their perspective on education makes a powerful case for the use of these ideas in our classrooms. The author has a very readable style and helps the reader understand why it is important to plan and teach in this way by underpinning it all with just enough of the theory without it becoming dry or heavy to read. It is a book that can be dipped into for ideas again and again. It should be a compulsory read for all teachers and student teachers; I wish it had been around when I was a class teacher!” - Anne Langley, School-based Specialist Teacher

“I highly recommend this book; academic research is skilfully interlaced with practical ideas for supporting dyslexic pupils in the classroom. The design of the book allows teachers, both new to the profession and more experienced colleagues, to read the book cover to cover or to select specific topics. Louise Selby writes in an easily accessible style and respects her readers; the ‘Quick Wins’ and ‘Top Tips’ mean that even the busiest teacher will find something they can introduce to their lessons to support dyslexic learners without too much effort.” - Anna Fenelon, Buckinghamshire Specialist Teacher for Cognition and Learning

“Louise Selby is a well-qualified professional who brings all her expertise to produce this latest highly practical book on Dyslexia. All about Dyslexia is a very valuable resource on this important subject. It is current and relevant, including the updated definition of dyslexia and giving details in the many aspects of dyslexia that it covers, including latest research that informs practice. Louise briefly explores learning differences that are so often part of dyslexia. including metacognition and self-regulated learning as well as reading, writing and spelling.  I found it very well written in an informative and interesting way that engages the reader and Louise’s empathy shines through. The accessible language makes it suitable for all interested in this area: parents and all educators, class teachers, specialists, leadership teams and support assistants.  The chapters are thoughtfully set out in a logical sequence which makes it easy to follow, each one begins with a useful summary of the key points, which is very useful and busy parents and teachers can dip in and out to find the answers to their queries. Throughout the book, practical solutions and strategies appropriate to support children at all stages in primary are given, both for learners and the learning environment and beginners to those who need to develop their skills more. The inclusion of using examples from dyslexic learners and real school case studies brings to life some of the realities these learners experience at school and the strategies used to support them in their learning.  I think this book fills an important gap in the material around this area of learning and although I will use this in my current role as a Specialist Tutor, I would have found it a very useful when I was a Support for Learning Teacher in Primary. I would thoroughly recommend to teachers, other staff and parents who want to find out more about the theories as well as lots of practical tips and resources when working with their dyslexic learners.” - Hazel McPake M. Ed (SEN), Tutor specialising in supporting and teaching pupils with Dyslexia and other literacy difficulties.

“All About Dyslexia is a practical and clear-sighted book, with the authentic voices of adults and young people with experience of dyslexia woven through every page. Louise clearly explains the challenges presented by dyslexia and dispels some of the commonly held myths that lead to confusion about how best to teach these learners. Her emphasis on quick wins, practical, low-cost classroom-based strategies and individual strengths will help teachers across the age-ranges and subjects support all their students not just to survive, but to thrive. - Bridget Thornhill, Senior Teacher for Dyslexia, Nottinghamshire County Council

“In her opening chapter, Louise describes her personal interest in dyslexia as ‘fascinating and hopeful’ and this book is exactly that.  The child voice included throughout is powerful and Louise has been generous sharing a wealth of practical ideas which makes this essential reading for all teaching staff.   The layout is easy to dip into, with top tips for success, quick wins and photographs – perfect for bite-sized CPD.  This is a hopeful book that not only shows the impact teachers can have with a few adaptations and really good teaching – but also provides them with the tools to do it.” - Felicity Nichols, SEND Adviser, HFL Education

“This book is a must-have for every classroom and home where young people have barriers to learning. Louise’s style of presenting information with clarity, practical examples, and ideas for further support is invaluable. I read this in one sitting, scribbling notes to use, from both a parent and professional perspective. Louise provides theory and background to help understand the evolution of our current view of dyslexia and how this has shaped the support provided and the perspectives of those involved. There is a wealth of information to take away and use immediately.  I highly recommend this book to all.” - Dr. Sarah Moseley, Educational Consultant, Inclusion, SEND, and Literacy Specialist

"Dyslexia has been a word within the teaching profession that we have all known for so long but has always caused much confusion. For many, including myself, my knowledge has come from books, articles online, and the knowledge of children I have taught but this has led to a jumble of thinking! But this is about to change! All about Dyslexia is a book that every class teacher and leader should read. It's clear, knowledgeable and practical! Louise clearly sets out what dyslexia is, the impact on a child but most importantly the practical and manageable techniques teachers can use to help children learn! So many of the strategies will help all pupils in the class. A must read!" - Mags Sexton, Head Teacher Westcourt Primary School, Kent

"This book is a must for anyone who works with children and young people in schools; packed full of realistic and practical ideas, with a balance of theory and practice, and relevant to today’s education systems. I can’t wait to share it with our schools!" - Alison Szalay, Senior Specialist Advisory Teacher for SEND (Cognition and Learning)