Advocacy group formed for children with dyslexia

The British Dyslexia Association estimates about 10% of people in the UK have dyslexia

A Manx mother has founded a dyslexia advocacy group after concerns children with the condition “are not able to meet their full potential".

Julia Bell, whose daughter has dyslexia, said the group would be a "unified voice" to call for better identification of the condition in island schools.

She said greater support for teachers and pupils could be "life-changing" for families.

The Department of Education, Sport and Culture has been contacted for a response.

According to the British Dyslexia Association (BDA) one in 10 people in the UK has the condition, which can affect a person's ability to read, write and spell, as well as their speech, memory and co-ordination.

On Tynwald Day 2020, a petition handed over by Ms Bell called for the parliament to examine the island's dyslexia provision.

A consultation which followed underlined her concerns that needs "were not being identified and there was not the right support" in place for children in schools, she said.

Ms Bell presented a petition on the issue at Tynwald Day in July 2020

Ms Bell, who lives in Kirk Michael, said the group wanted to work with the department to introduce improvements, and a focus would be on identifying "barriers" teachers faced in supporting children.

Another “ambitious objective” would be for one primary and secondary school in every catchment area to meet the BDA's quality mark for education - a framework for schools to improve their understanding and develop support.

Ms Bell said it could be "exhausting" for parents who were trying to help their children at home.

She said if she were to have "full confidence" her child had the resources they needed, she could spend "more quality time" as a family rather than "constantly fighting" for support for her.

Improvements would be "life-changing for us as a family", she added.

The group's meetings take place at the Family Library in Douglas fortnightly between 17:30 and 19:30 GMT, with the next set to be held on 6 March.