Reactions to a diagnosis of dyslexia among students entering further education: development of the 'resistance–accommodation' model

Research into the psychological consequences of receiving a diagnosis of dyslexia during adolescence is a newly emerging field. In this article, David Armstrong, senior lecturer in education at Edge Hill University, and Neil Humphrey, senior lecturer in the psychology of Education at the University of Manchester, report on a qualitative study which explored this issue with a group of 20 students with dyslexia in a large college of further education in the north-west of England. Drawing on the outcomes of individual interviews and focus groups, analysis of student responses led to the development of a provisional 'resistance–accommodation' model that seeks to explain the psycho-social processes involved in 'living with the label' of dyslexia, and how such processes might impact upon later outcomes. The 'resistance–accommodation' model and the data contained in this study are discussed in the light of wider aspects of psychological theory and research. The authors also take account of recent literature exploring how students with dyslexia assess self in relation to the label.     

Teacher and pupil ratings of self-esteem in developmental dyslexia

Neil Humphrey is a lecturer in psychology at Bolton Institute. In this article, based on the research he carried out for his PhD thesis, he explores the relationships between dyslexia and self-esteem in pupils. Neil Humphrey gathered data using both teacher rating scales and pupil self-reporting. He compares results from a group of pupils with dyslexia in mainstream settings; a group attending units for pupils with specific learning difficulties (SpLD); and a control group. In discussing his findings, Neil Humphrey presents practitioners working towards inclusion with a carefully considered challenge.     

Factors associated with successful learning in pupils with dyslexia: a motivational analysis

In 2002, Neil Humphrey and Patricia Mullins published their research into personal constructs and attribution for academic success and failure in dyslexia in BJSE's 'Research Section'. Their work suggested that pupils with dyslexia, in a range of settings, experience real challenges to their self-esteem and that dyslexia leads to 'negative consequences for their self-development'. This article by Robert Burden, Professor of Applied Educational Psychology at the University of Exeter, and Julia Burdett, an experienced teacher and part-time research assistant, challenges those findings.
Robert Burden and Julia Burdett interviewed 50 boys, aged between 11 and 16, attending an independent special school for pupils with dyslexia. The research tools explored the pupils' attitudes to learning and their sense of personal identity. The general levels of depression and 'learned helplessness' revealed were low in sharp contrast to the positive feelings of self-efficacy, locus of control and commitment to effort as an essential learning strategy reported by the pupils. Burden and Burdett explore the consequences of such cognitive self-appraisal for successful learning outcomes in pupils with dyslexia and speculate about the influence of specialist provision upon the positive self-image of the pupils in their study. They state their intention to take their research further with pupils in mainstream settings.     

Facilitating a positive sense of self in pupils with dyslexia: the role of teachers and peers

This article focuses on the changes in the educational environment for children with dyslexia which could help them to develop a positive sense of self. Neil Humphrey discusses the importance of the role of teachers and peers in this respect and suggests some key teacher and peer behaviours facilitating positive self‐esteem.     

Distinctiveness of curriculum provision at 14 to 16 for students with learning difficulties: opportunities and challenges

In this article, Hazel Lawson, principal lecturer in education at the University of Plymouth, Sue Waite, a researcher at the University of Plymouth, and Christopher Robertson, lecturer in special and inclusive education at the University of Birmingham, discuss the curriculum for students with severe and profound and multiple learning difficulties at ages 14 to 16. This phase of schooling, referred to as Key Stage 4 in the English system, is characterised, in mainstream settings, by examination processes. Drawing upon research work carried out for the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority, they argue that developing a distinctive curriculum offer for students with severe and profound and multiple learning difficulties in Key Stage 4 presents both opportunities and challenges. Setting their argument in the context of current proposals for the reform of education between the ages of 14 and 19 in England, they highlight issues including the desire to maintain breadth and balance while meeting individual needs and preferences; progression towards more facilitative pedagogies and a diversity of contexts for learning; and tensions between providing continuity and introducing change intended to promote increased student autonomy. This article will be of direct interest to policy makers and practitioners in mainstream and specialist settings.     

The self-evaluating school — a case study of a special school

School self-evaluation allows staff to review the quality of their work in relation to local contexts. In this article, Peter Neil, senior lecturer in education, Alex McEwen, professor of education, and Karen Carlisle and Damian Knipe, both research assistants in the Graduate School of Education at Queen's University, Belfast, discuss a research project focusing on the process of self-evaluation carried out by staff at a special school in Northern Ireland. The project involved the participants in the completion of a research journal over a four-week period. The authors describe the ways in which the outcomes of the project were fed back to staff and the impact the project had on a range of issues, including teaching and learning and the school's professional development agenda.     

From Planning to Practice

This contribution to the single theme issue moves from planning and assessment for differentiation to classroom practice. Dr Ann Lewis is lecturer in education, Department of Education, Warwick University.     

Social Skills for Slow Learners

Some degree of skill in interpersonal relationships is essential if slow learners are to become socially adequate, writes Dr Alice F. Laing, senior lecturer in education, University College of Swansea     

Reading and Down's Syndrome

The reading skills of a sample of Down's syndrome children from a longitudinal study at the Hester Adrian Research Centre, Manchester University, are examined by Dr Lorenz, now an educational psychologist with Salford LEA, Tricia Sloper, a research fellow, and Dr Cunningham, senior lecturer, both at the Hester Adrian Centre.     

Threats to the inclusive movement

Anthony Feiler, senior lecturer in special needs, and Howard Gibson, senior lecturer in language and literature (both at Bath Spa University College),suggest that within the field of special educational needs the movement towards inclusion is endangered. Four key threats are explored: the lack of precisionin definitions of inclusion; the lack of research evidence; the tendency for some children to experience what is termed 'internal exclusion' inschools; and the continuing inclination to label children (as an example of labelling the media's presentation of the term dyslexia is examined). Theauthors argue that if inclusion is to take hold in schools more attention needs to be paid to these threats.     

Language Development in Mongols

Dr. David Evans, senior lecturer in education, Exeter University, describes his recent research which indicates the importance of sex, age and other differences in the language development of mongol children and adults     

Integration on an Individual Basis

Dr Darcy Dale, senior lecturer in the education of the deaf, Department of Child Development and Educational Psychology, London University Institute of Education, describes the integration of individual children into ordinary schools in north London     

Training with a School Focus

A new one-term course which has its focus on the school, local education authorities and practical projects chosen by course members is described by Dr Brahm Norwich, lecturer in special needs, London University Institute of Education, and Elizabeth Cowne, tutor to the course for teachers of children with special educational needs in the ordinary school.     

Pupils' Attitudes to Integration

In this article, Dr Wendy Lynas, lecturer in the education of the deaf, Manchester University, describes some of the findings of her investigation into the integration of 50 hearing impaired pupils in ordinary schools in Greater Manchester.     

How Accessible is Level 1 Maths?

Some teachers have been expressing doubts about the appropriateness of the early levels of National Curriculum mathematics targets for children with learning difficulties. Dr Brian O'Toole, lecturer in special education, and Pamela O'Toole, also at the Department of Education, Manchester University, report a study of 99 children in special and mainstream schools which supports these doubts. Many of the seven-year-olds were unable to succeed at Level 1 in number and will need structured preliminary programmes to do so.     

Siblings of Mentally Handicapped Children and Their Social Relations

Few studies have been made of the other children in families with a mentally handicapped child living at home. Dr Andersson, a lecturer at Gothenburg University, reports an investigation from Sweden. She compared siblings of handicapped children with their peers. The results show that the siblings are more socially isolated in school and in their leisure time; this isolation does not emanate from the children themselves; it can be explained partly by the parents' reactions to their circumstances.     

Maladjusted Pupils in Ordinary Schools

Some programmes of management are described by Dr. I. Kolvin, reader in child psychiatry, Dr. R. F. Garside, senior lecturer in applied psychology, Dr. A. R. Nicol, consultant child psychiatrist, A. Macmillan, senior psychologist, and F. Wolstenholme, lecturer in applied sociology, all members of the Human Development Unit, Newcastle University     

Dyslexia and learning style – a note of caution

In a recent issue of BJSE , Sioned Exley published the outcomes of her school-based research into effective teaching strategies for students with dyslexia 'based on their preferred learning styles'. She reported improvements in performance and attainment in spelling and recommended a more wide-scale adoption of approaches focused on learning styles.
In this article, Tilly Mortimore, author of a recent book on dyslexia and learning style, and lecturer in inclusion at the University of Southampton, argues for caution. She suggests that practitioners need to look more closely into recent research into learning style and dyslexia before committing themselves to dramatic shifts in their ways of working. She presents here a review of the research context for learning styles and some reflections on Exley's selection of a research focus. While welcoming practitioner research, Tilly Mortimore suggests ways in which the theoretical, methodological and practical aspects of small-scale enquiries could be strengthened in order to increase their impact upon policy and practice.     

The deployment,training and teacher relationships of teaching assistants supporting pupils with autistic spectrum disorders (ASD) in mainstream secondary schools

Growing numbers of pupils with autistic spectrum disorders (ASD) are attending mainstream schools, and increasing numbers of additional staff are being deployed to support them. Recent research has cast doubt on the effectiveness of this support, by highlighting issues relating to deployment and training, and to relationships with class teachers. This study, conducted by Wendy Symes, who is a Research Associate at the University of Manchester, and Neil Humphrey, who is Professor of Education in the same university, interviewed 15 teaching assistants supporting pupils with ASD in four mainstream secondary schools in the north‐west of England to explore these issues. Analysis yielded several key findings. The majority of teaching assistants worked with just one pupil at a time and worked in a variety of lessons. Their role primarily involved helping pupils to stay focused and follow instructions. Many teaching assistants had no experience of ASD prior to starting their job. The amount of training received varied, but all felt that generic training about ASD was not helpful. A lack of time for joint planning with teachers was raised as a key concern. These findings are discussed in relation to the growing literature on inclusive education for pupils with ASD.     

Maths to Make Things Happen

Mathematics can have meaning for low attainers if they apply their mathematical and problem solving skills to the organisation of school events, suggest Dr Derek Haylock, lecturer in mathematics education, School of Education, University of East Anglia, and Helen Morgans, primary school teacher with responsibility for children with special educational needs, William Wordsworth School, Sennelager, West Germany. They follow up some of the points made by Alec Williams in his article in the June issue.