Newsletter 28th August

Hello all and welcome back,

It has been a while since the last newsletter! My last few months have been absolutely chaotic with graduation from university, moving house and looking for work. However, I plan to get Spectrum Bloggers Network back up and running and gaining the support it had before my unplanned break. 

Spectrum Bloggers Newsletter 2nd June

Hello again! I’m almost back on track with Spectrum Bloggers Network and the things I needed to do. There is a massive list this week of blogs that cover all of the spectrum. I’m also starting to step up advertising for other bloggers to join us once again, so please feel free to spread the word!

We’ve been discussing on the Facebook page how difficult it is for me to link all the latest blogs every week! One suggestion is that blog posts are nominated each week (though not nominating your own blog) so that we are all checking out each others pages. If all nominations came in by the end of the week, there could potentially be a vote for the top 10 blogs that week to feature in the newsletter. It would also potentially make it easier for handing out a ‘blog of the month’ award based on which blogs have sparked the most interest and again making my job easier and for your blogs to gain higher readership. Any thoughts on this idea? 

Daily Mail: BBC producer who suffers from bipolar disorder, Asperger’s Syndrome, dyslexia and dyspraxia is suing after she was fired because of ‘behavioural issues’, tribunal hears (Asperger Syndrome, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia)

May 14, 2014

A sacked BBC producer who says she applied to the corporation on a scheme for the disabled is suing for disability discrimination after bosses claimed they were unaware of her mental health issues.

Jayne Lutwyche took on the role of online producer in the BBC’s religion and ethics department in 2012.
The 29-year-old, who suffers from bipolar disorder, Asperger’s Syndrome, dyslexia, dyspraxia and nerve damage, insists she told bosses about her disabilities before she started.

Read the full article here: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2628182/BBC-producer-sacked-behaviour-says-told-bosses-bipolar-disorder-Aspergers-dyslexia-dyspraxia.html 

Manawatu Standard: Long waits for extra tutoring (ADHD, dyslexia)

April 11, 2014

Children with learning difficulties could slip through the cracks due to a shortage of specialists assessing and assisting them.

The demand for help for Kiwi children struggling with learning disabilities is increasing, with service providers reporting long waiting lists of children that need to be seen.

The New Zealand Dyslexia Foundation estimates one in 10 New Zealanders experience a learning difficulty, with more than 70,000 schoolchildren affected.

The small number of specialists who assess and diagnose learning difficulties have reported a growing workload, which education psychologists say is a concern.

Learning Disabilities Association of New Zealand has two registered assessors in Palmerston North with waiting lists three months long.

President Bill Glassey, who is based in the city, said he would assess one or two children a week – many of them referred by schools – for learning difficulties, such as ADHD, dyslexia or apraxia.

Read the full article here: http://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/news/9930188/Long-waits-for-extra-tutoring

Bastrop Daily Enterprise: Bastrop High School and Morehouse Jr. High students learn bullying is not okay (ADD, ADHD, BEH, dyslexia and dysgraphia)

April 30, 2014

Students at both Bastrop High School and Morehouse Jr. High attended assemblies this week where bullying was the topic of discussion.

Keith Deltano drew on his background of working with youth in various roles as well as his own personal experiences as a child who was bullied to engage students in a conversation regarding various ways of bullying. He also teaches them how to stop and overcome the effects of this serious problem. Deltano was labeled with ADD, ADHD, BEH, dyslexia and dysgraphia and was bullied because he was “different.” Instead of letting his learning disabilities dictate his future, Deltano overcame, attended college and became a teacher.

Read the full article here: http://www.bastropenterprise.com/article/20140429/NEWS/140429605/10082/NEWS

Newsletter 28th April

Sorry a very quick newsletter this week with the blogs added before the weekend. I’m trying to get my dissertation in for university at the moment, so I promise that we’ll be back on track next week. No time to add all the latest blog posts either I’m afraid.

Please check out the awesome new blogs that have signed up!  Also check the latest section, Pathological Demand Avoidance.

Croydon Advertiser: Dad of dyslexic schoolgirl calls on Michael Gove to rule Croydon’s special needs policy ‘illegal’

April 25, 2014

The father of a severely dyslexic schoolgirl has called on Education Secretary Michael Gove to compel the council to change its “unlawful” policy towards children with special educational needs.

For a child to receive specialist support, parents must show they require “significant assistance” in at least five of eight areas – only one of which is education.

Read the full article here: http://www.croydonadvertiser.co.uk/minister-review-special-education-policy/story-21006472-detail/story.html

Newsletter 21st April

Sorry I’m a little bit late in posting up the latest newsletter this week! Essays and dissertation for university at the moment is taking priority.

There are a few new blogs this week joining us in the network which are listed below. If you missed the big news yesterday, head here: https://spectrumbloggers.wordpress.com/2014/04/20/big-news-and-a-warm-welcome

Things will be a little more organised in a couple of weeks, promise! Until then, check out the newest additions to the network this week and all the new blog posts at the bottom!

Newsletter 14th April

Well this week has been absolutely fantastic! Spectrum Bloggers Network has grown in size a lot faster than I initially expected! There has been quite a buzz on Twitter, so a massive ‘thank you’ to everyone who has been discussing and spreading the word!

Since originally starting the blog I have added in another couple of sections of Irlen Syndrome and more recently Sensory Processing Disorder. If you are a blogger discussing a learning difficulty that hasn’t been mentioned you can register under ‘other’ and say in your description what you are covering. I started with the difficulties I was already aware of, but am sure I am probably missing out a fair few. The more awareness we can raise as a group, the better!

New blogs in the network this week. Please note that blogs that cover more than one SpLD will appear in more than one section.

Newsletter 7th April 2014

Hello and welcome to the first Spectrum Bloggers Network Newsletter!

First of all, thank you very much to the bloggers who have so far joined the network and thank you all for taking time to check the blog. It is very early days but hopefully as word gets around we’ll develop a thriving community. Trying to get the ball rolling is always a tricky task, but hopefully word will get around over the next few months.

New blogs in the network this week. Please note that blogs that cover more than one SpLD will appear in more than one section.