Dyslexic Children Should Be Diagnosed Early

Author: Dr. Gardner - Contact: www.appleford.wilts.sch.uk
Published: 2009/03/13 - Updated: 2015/10/17
Topic: Dyslexia Information - Publications List

Page Content: Synopsis - Introduction - Main

Synopsis: If childrens learning difficulties are diagnosed early and help offered for dyslexia at an early stage the child is given the best chance of success.

Introduction

"Children who are dyslexic can now be diagnosed at four and a half years of age", says Dr. Peter Gardner, Chartered Educational Psychologist and Founder Director of Appleford School in Shrewton, near Salisbury, Wiltshire.

Main Item

"Diagnostic advances in recent years mean that children who used to slip through the net can now be recognized earlier."

Dr. Gardner says: "All the available research points to the fact that if children's learning difficulties are diagnosed early and appropriate help is offered at an early stage, the child is given the best chance of success. So much of the suffering and lack of self-confidence of these children could be avoided by a nationwide screening program of children entering school."

Some of the signs in a young child which might indicate dyslexia include difficulties with:

There are specific tests for identifying weaknesses in these areas in young children. "Too many parents," says Dr. Gardner, "are encouraged to wait until the child is older before seeking help. In general, the earlier the parent takes action the better."

A starting point for any concerned parent is an assessment by a chartered educational psychologist.

Peter gained an Honors Degree in Psychology from Nottingham University, a post graduate diploma in Academic Psychology from University College London, a Master of Arts Degree in Therapy and Counseling from Antioch College, U.S.A. (London Branch) and a doctorate from the University of Bristol.

He has been a lecturer in a number of universities and was a tutor at the Child Guidance Training Center, London, responsible for post-graduate training of educational psychologists on a British Psychological Society - and Department of Education and Skills - accredited course.

He is a Chartered Educational Psychologist, a Chartered Forensic Psychologist and a Chartered Counseling Psychologist of the British Psychological Society. He is a Full Practitioner Member of the British Psychological Society Division of Neuropsychology. He is a registered Psychotherapist (United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy) and was a committee member of the Psychology and Psychotherapy Association.

Much of his work is legal work, including the preparation of detailed court reports and submission of oral evidence, working for Crown Courts, Magistrates Courts and Guardian ad litem panels. He acted as an expert witness in the precedent-setting Phelps v London Borough of Hillingdon education negligence case in the High Court in July 1997 and was described by Mr. Justice Garland as "particularly well qualified, careful and fair." His legal work is split roughly 50:50 between Claimant and Defendant work.

He is a founder of both Appleford School and of Daneswood, Shipham, near Cheddar, a care home for young adults with severe, profound and multiple learning difficulties, which is registered with and approved by CSCi - www.appleford.wilts.sch.uk

Explore Similar Topics

- Shaywitz DyslexiaScreen is an evidence-based and user-friendly assessment to help teachers identify students in kindergarten and first grade who may have dyslexia.

- Decoding Dyslexia California comments on the benefits for public schoolchildren with dyslexia and their families of new California dyslexia laws.

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Cite This Page (APA): Dr. Gardner. (2009, March 13 - Last revised: 2015, October 17). Dyslexic Children Should Be Diagnosed Early. Disabled World (DW). Retrieved February 15, 2025 from www.disabled-world.com/disability/types/cognitive/dyslexia/dyslexic-children.php

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