Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) & Related Learning Difficulties

Learning Difficulties in Children

Dyslexia

Dysgraphia

Dyscalculia

Attention Disorder (ADHD)

Autism

Developmental Language Disorders

School Age Traumatic Brain Injury

Complex Medical Conditions

Effective Reading Instruction

Interested in learning one of our courses?

Get in touch with our team to book a course now!

0416 544 163

About Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) and related Learning Difficulties

Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders may have difficulties with more abstract concepts and tasks within the curriculum, especially in secondary school. Kathryn brings experience across K-12 and can tailor teaching strategies and adjustments to maximise student learning success and help students with autism learning difficulties to demonstrate their knowledge. Kathryn can work within the curriculum content in order to support student learning and customise supports and strategies to individual child needs.

Our Teaching Strategies for Students with ASD

Kathryn has experience working with school age students across K-12 diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorders as both a therapist and classroom teacher. She can support students to achieve their potential across all areas of learning whether they are completing a mainstream program of study or a Life Skills program of study within the mainstream classroom. In addition, Kathryn has a successful track record of supporting Stage 6 students to access appropriate Disability Provisions for their HSC and understands both the Nationally Consistent Collection of Data Model (NCCD) for school-based funding supports as well as the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).

Kathryn brings experience in oral language and literacy to support students in the areas of academic learning and essay writing and maximise their success at their final Year 12 Examinations (NSW HSC) and can support their successful transition into life beyond school.

helping child with learning difficulties

assisting child that has learning difficulty

What our Courses & Coaching Customers Say.

‘Fortnightly literacy coaching with Kathryn has been so helpful this year and I’m grateful for how easy it was to access this support online. It was a big year with lots of change from face to face to online telepractice. My caseload consists of lots of literacy in primary school. We discussed everything from assessment tools to therapy, physical resources and online tools, individual client needs and school based intervention. It was particularly helpful to listen to Kathryn’s ideas and her practices as well as hear from other professionals in the group. Kathryn was receptive to questions and very personable. She was happy to be led by our ideas but also had her own information to share. Kathryn’s professional coaching has kept me up to date with best practices.’

Jessica

Speech Pathologist, NSW

‘Kathryn offers schools the unique knowledge and skill of being a dual qualified teacher and speech pathologist. This has provided her with the opportunity to be seconded by NESA as a curriculum writer for the new K-2 & 3-6 NSW English syllabus development. This recognition highlights the regard in which the professional community hold Kathryn. If you have the opportunity to engage her services, your school staff and students will thank you for her input into their development.’

Simon

Principal K-12 Independent School, NSW

Every course I have completed with Kathryn has been presented in a clear and easily understood manner. She presents a wealth of resources, thoroughly researched and mostly used herself with various students. Any questions are answered and explained. Kathryn’s experience in many workplace settings enables her to support you no matter where you work. I highly recommend any course Kathryn presents or endorses.

Annabel

Itinerant Support Teacher (Hearing), NSW

I have found Kathryn's coaching sessions extremely valuable and relevant for my role working in a school context. Each session has always focused on the practical application of the best research and resources available. Kathryn has helped me to prioritise decisions based on my specific situation. Kathryn does not use a 'one size fits all' model but instead she personalises her coaching to make sure individual contexts are considered. Kathryn has an extraordinary breadth of knowledge and skillfully uses her expertise to advise and give ongoing support.

Renee

Learning Support Co-ordinator (Junior School), K-12 Independent School, NSW

Thank you, Kathryn, for your short course “The Literate Learner”! There were a lot of take-a-ways, but what particularly stood out to me were the strong links between language and literacy disorder and how much better each is supported when we also work on the other. Despite working as a speech pathologist for years, I’d never really seen the need (or had the confidence) to work literacy into my practice. Your course really brought literacy to my attention as a vital component of school-aged practice but also showed me how I could support my clients in learning the skills they need. It was also great to learn about some of the “go-to” trainings I could do to sharpen my skills across settings.

Amy

Speech Pathologist, NSW

I had the pleasure of working with Kathryn in her role of Head of Learning Engagement P-12. Kathryn brings a wealth of expertise and knowledge to the school context. As well as being dual qualified in education and health, Kathryn continues to practice in both disciplines and pursue the most up to date and current educational research to inform her practice. Kathryn is well connected with leaders in the field of children’s learning difficulties and utilises her vast network to source advice and input from the highest caliber of multi-disciplinary teams. Kathryn’s team approach to working with parents, health professionals and educators has become the benchmark which I aim to implement in other contexts.

Ian

Head of Early Years & Junior School, K-12 Independent School, Queensland

Commonly Asked Questions.

What is the difference between a learning difficulty and learning disability?

The terminology used to describe difficulties with learning varies according to the country in which the diagnosis is made.

Dyslexia* is viewed as a reading impairment (DSM 5/ICD 10), a learning ‘difficulty’ (UK) or a specific learning disability (USA). The latest edition of the Diagnostic Statistical Manual 5th edition (DSM 5) uses the terminology Specific Learning Disorder in Reading, Writing or Mathematics. These are the conditions that have also been referred to as Dyslexia, Dysgraphia and Dyscalculia.

According to AUSPELD It is conservatively estimated that well over 20% of Australian children are currently struggling with learning difficulties and 3% to 5% of students are known to have a developmental learning disorder. Of those students identified with a learning disorder, four out of every five are assessed as having a reading disorder (or SLD with impairment in reading), commonly known as dyslexia*.

A learning disorder can co-exist with difficulties related to attention, working memory, developmental language disorder or other disabilities such as hearing impairment, autism spectrum disorders, dyspraxia or a traumatic brain injury.

What is the difference between a language disorder and a learning disorder?

A language disorder means difficulties with receptive language (understanding or comprehension of spoken language), expressive language (explaining or communicating and making yourself understood using spoken or oral language)or pragmatics (using language for social interactions). If there is no obvious cause of language disorder it will be called Developmental Language Disorder however if it is due to another condition or disability e.g. hearing loss, autism, brain injury it will just be referred to as a language disorder secondary to ….. (insert disability here).

Difficulties with language are known to co-exist with learning disorders. The presence of a language disorder can place a student at increased risk of difficulties with reading, spelling, writing, mathematics and learning across the curriculum. A language disorder is diagnosed by a Speech Pathologist who is also able to provide intervention for a Specific Learning Disorder.

A learning disorder will be specific to the learning of academic skills like reading, spelling, writing and mathematics. They are known as Specific Learning disorders in reading, writing or mathematics and may also be known as dyslexia, dysgraphia and dyscalculia. Specific Learning Disorders in Reading, Writing and mathematics are typically diagnosed by registered Psychologists (typically Clinical Psychologists and Educational Psychologists) according to the Diagnostic Statistical Manual 5th Edition (DSM 5).

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Welcome to Language and Learning. Here you will find a wealth of information & speech and language training for teachers, school leaders & speech therapists working with students across K-12. These training courses and coaching opportunities are designed to equip you to support your staff and students to be the best they can be provided by someone who has navigated many of your challenges in school leadership roles. Kathryn can share her lessons learned to help you work smarter, not harder.