Beatrice Burg

Lets talk 'Screen time'.... This seems to be a popular subject nowadays, for parents, particularly of children with ADHD, dyslexia and irlen syndrome, with many different devices finding their way into our lives for all sorts of reasons and whether it makes life easier or harder is debatable. Often overlooked is the risk to children by increased data collection and exposure to online bullying and unmonitored ability to 'chat' in apps. In a recent post on smartkidswithld.org : ... the FBI addressed that issue in a public-service announcement from their Internet Crime Complaint Center. The announcement stated that “The widespread collection of sensitive information by ed tech could present unique exploitation opportunities for criminals. Malicious use of this sensitive data could result in social engineering, bullying, tracking, identity theft, or other means for targeting children.” In a post on Edweek’s Digital Education blog, Benjamin Herold added these details: The new announcement cites a wide range of sensitive information collected in schools, including personally identifiable information; biometric data; students’ web-browsing histories, IP addresses, and geolocation; behavioral, disciplinary, and medical information; and academic and classroom data." Read the whole post here - https://www.smartkidswithld.org/fbi-warning-on-ed-tech/   And, if we add ADHD to the mix:   "Children with ADHD seem to be particularly prone to excessive screen ...

Apple now offers a digital coloured overlay for your iPhones and iPads  – simply by adjusting the built-in accessibility settings on your device! Watch the video below to see how to turn on this feature. Originally developed for people with colour-blindness, the preset colour schemes are devoted to the different types of colour blindness. The inclusion of the Color Tint option, which allows you to customize your own colour filter, is perfect for people with Irlen Syndrome, however. We know everyone’s brains are different, and as such, everyone’s optimal colour is unique. The sliders in Apple’s Color Screen Filter allow you slide through the colour spectrum until you find a colour that feels good, AND it lets you adjust the density of that colour, making it one of the most custom digital overlays available. Go into your settings, adjust the sliders, and you’re done! No downloads, no incompatibility issues, no clunky applications. The colour filter is built right into your device’s settings. Once you turn it on and set your colour, it will stay on until you go back into your settings and turn it off again. You can change applications, it’s still on. You can turn off your device and reboot, it’s still on. ...

I recently shared a Facebook post on the NAPLAN accommodations allowed for dyslexia students and it included reference to the C-pen Reader. In my reports, I already recommend to use the 'Text to Speech' facility on computers in my reports, but this sounds like a great tool for students of any age to use. Great video detailing usage and the differences between readers...     And details and price available here... http://www.spectronics.com.au/product/c-pen-reader  

Is it only me, or do the years go by even quicker as you get older?  2016 is a blur, as we expanded our area to include an Irlen Perth Clinic for our northern clients needing more frequent checkups, who were travelling down for holidays. It now means 12000km travel each year, but it is worth it when I see the difference in your child as they walk out of the appointment, knowing that there is something that can be done to help them - or as one child said, "At last there is someone who understands what is happening to me every day." I know it is hard work to keep up the momentum to encourage their teachers to put the strategies in place, but that too is worth it - and get ready to repeat it all, first week of school next year, because that's what it takes. Persistence and Perseverance. Don't give up! Your child is your investment and worth every minute of time you spend, trying to get them the recognition they need, that they are bright kids - who learn differently!

  Do you, or someone you love, have: Difficulties Reading?   Problems with spelling?   Worries with writing? The World Wide Learning Academy display in the Family Interest Marquee has information and practical help on dyslexia and visual processing problems such as Irlen Syndrome.  Find out the difference between Dyslexia and other learning difficulties and the strategies that help, in the classroom or workplace. Put your name down to have a go on the FREE “Visual Processing Activity”. We’re also giving away a $1000 consultation and assessment package. To win, just put your name and number in the entry box at the stall.