Programme Junior School Intermediate School Senior School Senior Sports Guidance Learning Resource Library        Search Site Map          Sutton Park School Learning Resource Department        Nuala Fee, Learning Resource Specialist BA, H Dip Ed, Dip SLD          Sutton Park School has a dedicated Learning Resources Department for students who require extra support for their learning needs. If you are applying to the school for a child who requires learning support, it is important to write the details of the condition on the application form. This enables us to apply to the Department of Education for learning support hours so that your child can avail of this support. Listed below you will find some information on the more common difficulties a child may have. Extra literacy classes are given to supplement work completed in regular classes. Our aim is to support students within the curriculum, with a combination of » individual tuition » academic counselling » study-skills teaching When specific literacy problems are identified, support is given through: » A structured, cumulative approach » A specific programme ‘Alpha to Omega’ » Computer programmes for work on spelling, vocabulary and reading Parents can find further information from: » The School’s Learning Resource Teacher:- by email: Ms Nuala Fee or by telephone (01) 839 9426 » The internet - enter the keyword into your search engine (eg ‘Dyspraxia’) » Local organisations:     Government Disability Information Services     Adult Literacy Centres     Citizen’s Advice Bureaux WHERE TO LOOK FOR HELP? Contact should be made with the School's Learning Resource Specialist:- Ms Nuala Fee Tel: +353 1 839 9426 Fax: +353 1 832 5929 Email: nuala.fee@sps.ie An Educational Phychological Assessment should be arranged with a qualified Psychologist, we recommend:- Arduna, 54 Clontarf Road, Clontarf, Dublin 3, Tel: +353 1 8332733 Students are also entitled to avail of assessment through the National Educational Psychological Service. If a learning difficulty is diagnosed, parents should follow up on any recommendations made for special teaching and support. If your child has a diagnosis, please click on the link below and download the relevant form, this must be completed in full and either posted, faxed or emailed to Ms Nuala Fee, Learning Resources.        DEFINITIONS OF LEARNING DISORDERS Sutton Park School offers support for students with specific learning difficulties. » DYSLEXIA: The word ‘dyslexia’ come from Greek meaning ‘difficulty with words’ » ADD & ADHD: Attention Deficit Disorder & Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder » ASPERGER’S SYNDROME: Difficulty with social and communication skills » DYSPRAXIA: Difficulty carrying out sensory / motor tasks WHAT IS DYSLEXIA? The word 'Dyslexia' comes from the Greek and means 'difficulty with words'. Definition Dyslexia is a specific learning difficulty, which mainly affects the development of literacy and language related skills. It is likely to be present at birht and to be lifelong in its effects. It is characterised by difficulties with prolonged procesing, rapid naming, working memory, processing speed and the automatic development of skills that may not match up to an individual's other cognitive abilities. It tends to be resistant to conventional teaching methods, but its effects can be mitigated by appropriately specific intervetion. Difficulties & Strengths * Reading hesitantly * Misreading, making understanding difficult * Difficulty with sequences, e.g getting dates in order * Poor organisation thoughts clearly * Erratic spelling Possible Strengths * Innovative thinkers * Excellent troubleshooters * Intuitive problem solving * Creative in many different ways * Lateral thinkers        WHAT IS ADD & ADHD? Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) is a neurobiological condition. It is estimated that between 3-5% of the population suffer from the condition, the majority being male. It is a biochemical disorder caused by imbalance or deficiency in certain chemicals in the brain. This means that neurotransmitters in the brain do not work effectively. Inattentions to:- * Difficulty keeping on task * Does not seem to listen when spoken to * Difficulty in organising tasks * Easily distracted * Forgetful * Loses things * Deos not follow through on instructions * Does not complete homework assignments (If these are the only symptoms then the type of ADD is Inattentive) Hyperactivity * Fidgets, Squirms in seat * Leaves seat in classroom inappropriately * Runs about or climbs excessively * Difficulty in playing quietly Sufferers rately have all traits of the condition and depending on personality/severity will disply them differently. When diagnosed and untreated it can lead to major problems both at home and in school with families and society suffering the consequences. Adults with ADD display a different range of symptoms but most would suffer depression and lack self-esteem due to a lifetime of 'getting it wrong'. When ADD is diagnosed early in a child's life and treated appropriately the outcome is very positive. Sadly because of lack of infomation on the condition in Ireland, many who suffer from ADD remain untreated. For further information contact:- The ADD Adult/Family Support Group, C/O 11 Summerfield Green, Blanchardstown, Dublin 15 Tel: +353 1 8222059 (Maeve Daly) The Hyperactive/Attention Deficity Disorder Family Support Group Ireland, C/O 25 Lawnswood Park, Stillorgan, Co Dublin Tel: +353 1 2889766 or +353 1 2823584        WHAT IS ASPERGERS? Asperger's Syndrome is a known high functioning Autism and affects about 3 in every 1,000 people. Symptoms * Difficulty in relating to others, lack of empathy * Delayed language development * Impaired Imagination * Clumsiness * Anxiety / Phobias * Poor understanding of non-verbal communications * Obsessions For further information contact the Asperger Syndrome Association of Ireland Ltd, 85 Woodley Park, Kilmacud, Dublin 14. Tel: James Toner - +353 1 2871122 or Des McKernan - +353 1 2951389 Cluas Website        WHAT IS DYSPRAXIA? Some children despite adequate teaching, a normal stimulating environment, and generally normal intellegence have difficulty with movement and specific aspects of learning. Dyspraxia is a difficulty with thinking out, planning and carrying out sensory/motor tasks. The child with Dyspraxia may have a combination of severe problems in varying degrees. These include:- Symptoms * Poor balance * Poor fine and gross motor co-ordination * Difficulties with vision, motor planning and perception problems * Tactile dysfunction * Poor awareness of body position * Difficulty with reading, writing and speech * Emotional and learning problems Dyspraxia is also known by other names including 'clumsy child syndrome', 'the hidden handycap', 'motor learning problems', 'minimal brain dysfunction' or 'sensory integrative problems'.                      All content © 2010 Sutton Park School tel: +353 (0)1 832 2940 For more information on how to contact Sutton Park School, click here. All rights reserved.