Training and Education

DAI runs many seminars and courses for parents, teachers, and other groups. An annual conference is held in April, and a major European Conference is held every 3-5 years. Bespoke training is also available on request. Details on all upcoming training courses and conferences can be found in the Events sections of this website.

Course for Parents

DAI runs a one-day course for parents several times each year. Topics covered on this course include:

Understanding Dyslexia.
Understanding the assessment report.
Accessing support in school, e.g. learning support, Irish exemption, exam accommodations.
Practical suggestions for parents and helping with homework.
Planning for the future – second level and beyond.
Computers and assistive technology.

This course is usually run 4 or 5 times each year in different locations around the country. One day courses for Junior Cert. and Leaving Cert. students are often run in tandem with these Parents’ Courses.

Courses for Teachers (Primary and Secondary)

DAI has been organising and delivering in-service courses for qualified teachers since 1979. The course aims to give teachers an understanding of the nature of dyslexia, the difficulties in language processing experiences by people with dyslexia, and the practical implications of these for classroom management and teaching practice. The course also aims to provide participants with knowledge and skills relevant to identifying dyslexia in the classroom, understanding psycho-educational assessment report, and identifying suitable interventions for pupils with dyslexia. Currently, the DAI Teachers’ Course is run over 5 days. This course is usually run 5 times each year in different locations around the country.

DAI also runs a one-day course for second level teachers to focus on specific strategies for managing dyslexia successfully in the second level classroom.

A one day course for teachers on dyscalculia and maths difficulties is also being prepared. We hope to deliver this course in spring 2012.

Courses for Other Education Personnel

DAI runs a workshop for adult literacy tutors once or twice each year, depending on demand. This workshop is designed for trained and experienced adult literacy tutors, who wish to know more about working with adults with dyslexia. The course is presented by specialist teachers and focuses on practical strategies. Topics covered include:

What is dyslexia?
Identifying learning styles.
Multi-sensory teaching methods.
An introduction to useful technology.

In conjunction with the Drumcondra Education Centre, DAI has delivered a course on dyslexia for Special Needs Assistants (SNAs). Contact the Drumcondra Education Centre (info@ecdrumcondra.ie) for information on future SNA courses.

Bespoke Training

DAI responds to requests for bespoke training from organisations, schools, parents associations, workplace groups, etc. Training can be tailored to the specific needs and interests of each group, and depending on the location and the time available. Please contact our national office to discuss your training needs, ideally a month or two in advance of a proposed training date. A fee is usually charged for this service to cover any costs incurred.

Conferences

DAI holds our Annual Conference and AGM each April. Our Annual Conference each year features a range of speakers on relevant dyslexia-related topics. Talks are held of interest to parents, professionals and adults with dyslexia. Presentations from recent conferences can be accessed in the Downloads section of this website.

Every 3-5 years, DAI holds a major European Conference where experts from across Europe and even further afield are invited to Ireland to discuss relevant developments in dyslexia research. Our most recent European Conference was held in the Helix in DCU in 2007. Presentations from this conference can be accessed in the Downloads section of this website. Due to the current economic climate, the date of our next European Conference has not been finalised.

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