Dyslexia First has been helping families across the North West for the last three years, and each month, we publish relatable, informative blogs that help you learn more about dyslexia.
We are passionate about helping others to understand dyslexia further. Take a look below at our top recommended blogs – including a spotlight with the founder of Dyslexia First, Michala Morton.
We’d love to know your favourite.
Unfortunately there is no mandatory training for dyslexia for teachers. However most SENCo’s are trained in dyslexia and learning disabilities (often found on the school website). If your child finds school a challenge and has an undiagnosed learning disability, the combination can be a negative learning experience that impacts their self-esteem and confidence.
Knowing the indicators of dyslexia helps both parents and teachers, and it’s important to keep the communication channels open. If either party notices signs of dyslexia, the school’s SENCO will be the best person to discuss the next steps and support.
The assessment process will begin with a questionnaire for the SENCo or teacher to complete, and input from parents. Together this will identify adjustments that can be made in the classroom to help your child fulfil their potential.
Read the blog here.
2. The Path to a Dyslexia Diagnosis
A dyslexia diagnosis is the first step to a happier, more fulfilled life. It provides clarity and direction and acts as a starting point for solutions that can help school and work less challenging.
Once the questionnaire has been completed, the school will work in collaboration with the dyslexia assessor. They will assess the child further through a series of tests that observe the visual ability, verbal ability, cognitive ability, literacy skills and other possible co-occurrence in associated specific learning difficulties.
All dyslexia assessments are regulated by the SASC (Assessment Standards Committee), and all SASC members work to agreed standards of practice, established collaboratively by the organisation, including specialist teachers and educational psychologists.
Dyslexia First provides dyslexia assessments in the North West, including Newton-le-Willows, Liverpool and Warrington. If you are outside of this area, you can search on the SASC Assessor list.
Spelling, recall and memory are often taught in the form of games that can be difficult for a dyslexic child. In this blog, we share other ways to learn. Through engaging your child’s problem solving brain and throwing in movement (occasionally) these games can help overcome barriers with an alternate solution and encourage fun learning.
Take a look at our top educational games, a perfect companion for a rainy Autumn weekend!
Michala Morton founded Dyslexia First in 2021. In this blog, we share Michala’s journey and passion for helping more people in diagnosis of dyslexia.
Michala has always been on a path to helping people. When she started teaching, dyslexia wasn’t known. But in her second year of teaching, as she became a SENCo, she researched the topic of dyslexia, discovering quite quickly that the sooner a child is assessed for dyslexia, the less problems there’d be in school.
Read her fascinating journey and the inspiration behind Dyslexia First in the first of our chosen blogs.
“Would 100% recommend Michala, she was fantastic with my son. The assessment was done in her own home and she made him feel relaxed and comfortable throughout, allowing him to work at his own pace. After the assessment was over Michala went through everything with me and was happy to discuss any concerns I had.”
About Dyslexia First
Dyslexia First provides first-class dyslexia assessments for children and adults across the North West.
Owner Michala Morton has worked in the field of Special Needs for over 20 years, across a wide range of educational settings, and works closely with The British Dyslexia Association and The Dyslexia Association assessing children and adults.
Based in Newton-le-Willows, Merseyside, Dyslexia First is conveniently accessible by train, linking to Central Liverpool, Manchester and cities within an hour’s commute.
By helping you to get the right support, a world of possibilities will open, that might not have seemed possible before.
Contact us to discuss your assessment needs on michala@dyslexia-first.co.uk or call 07711 904 589.
Dyslexia Through Life: Signs, Assessments and How to Get the Right Support
Dyslexia Signs at Every Age: How Assessments Work and When to Get Support
Top Tips for Supporting Dyslexic Learners During Transition Month
For dyslexic learners, transitions can be exciting, yet overwhelming. New routines, new expectations and new environments can amplify challenges with organisation, processing and confidence. With the right support, though, these transitions can become opportunities for growth.
Is Dyslexia Affecting Your Child’s Confidence?
If your child is struggling with reading, confidence or school anxiety, understanding the link with dyslexia can make a real difference. You might not notice
Why Easter Is the Perfect Time for Dyslexic Children to Learn
Easter is the ideal moment to support dyslexic children with gentle, confidence‑boosting learning. With more time, less pressure, and plenty of opportunities for multi‑sensory play, the holidays naturally strengthen key dyslexia‑related skills like reading confidence, working memory, processing speed, phonological awareness, and sequencing. From Easter egg hunts to playful at‑home activities, this season is full of low‑stress ways to help dyslexic learners thrive without them even realising they’re practising.
No parent wants a battle over homework, or for their home to become an environment where learning becomes too stressful. However, encouraging a dyslexic child to learn at home adds an additional dimension of challenges. A fortnight off school or nursery, can be hugely appealing and incredibly daunting all at the same time.
SATs and Dyslexia: How to Prepare Children Without Increasing Pressure
How to prepare children for SATs without increasing pressure.
When Learning Feels Hard: Spotting Dyslexia Struggles
Two children can sit in the same classroom, hear the same instructions and be asked to complete the same work, yet experience learning in very different ways. Understanding this difference helps parents recognise why learning can begin to feel worrying for dyslexic children and how to spot early signs that they may be struggling.
