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MTSS and assessment

Learning difficulties, disorders and additional needs

Some students keep finding reading, writing, maths or language hard, even when the teaching is good. I've gathered webinars, short videos, guides and research here to help you understand why, and what strong support looks like at Tier 1, Tier 2 and Tier 3. You'll also find webinars and guides, most of them Australian, on supporting students with ADHD, autistic students and other students with additional needs.

Practices in this area:Early identificationEvidence-based interventionReasonable adjustmentsIndividual Education PlansWorking with specialists and support staff

These resources are here to support your teaching. They are not a substitute for assessment or advice from a qualified professional, such as a psychologist, paediatrician or speech pathologist.

Understanding learning difficulties 10

What learning difficulties and specific learning disorders are, how schools notice them through tiered support, and what reasonable adjustments look like. For screening, intervention and the tiers across a whole school, see Tiered support and inclusion.

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Learning difficulties: Victorian Department of Education overview and information guides (opens in a new tab)

Department of Education, Victoria · Guides and explainers · Australia

The Victorian department's overview of learning difficulties for teachers, covering possible signs, whole-school approaches, and links to its information guides on literacy difficulties, including dyslexia and dysgraphia, and numeracy difficulties, including dyscalculia.

FreeOpens at education.vic.gov.au

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Developmental language disorder 10

A common and often hidden condition that makes understanding and using language hard, and what teachers can do alongside speech pathologists.

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DLD fact sheet (opens in a new tab)

RADLD · Fact sheet · UK

RADLD's fact sheet on developmental language disorder, from the international group that raises awareness of the condition. A short page to share with colleagues and families.

FreeOpens at radld.org

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Developmental language disorder at school

School and DLD (opens in a new tab)

The Talking DLD Podcast (The DLD Project) · Australia

An episode of the Australian Talking DLD Podcast about school for children with developmental language disorder, and what it is like to watch a child struggle there.

FreeOpens at thedldproject.com

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Phonics for students with DLD

Phonics and DLD (opens in a new tab)

The Talking DLD Podcast (The DLD Project) · Australia

This Talking DLD Podcast episode explains why children with developmental language disorder are at higher risk of reading and spelling difficulty, and shares phonics strategies that help.

FreeOpens at thedldproject.com

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Dyslexia 14

Persistent difficulty with accurate and fluent word reading and spelling, and the teaching and intervention that the evidence supports.

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Interview

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Dyslexia myths, misconceptions and facts, with Tim Odegard (opens in a new tab)

Speaking of Psychology (American Psychological Association), with Tim Odegard · About 35 minutes · USA

The American Psychological Association's podcast Speaking of Psychology talks with researcher Tim Odegard about myths, misconceptions and facts about dyslexia. This is the video recording of the episode.

FreeOpens at youtube.com

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Definition of dyslexia (opens in a new tab)

International Dyslexia Association · Definition · 2025 · USA

The International Dyslexia Association's current definition, adopted in October 2025. It describes dyslexia as difficulty with accurate or fluent word reading and spelling that sits on a continuum and persists despite effective teaching.

FreeOpens at dyslexiaida.org

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Why Dyslexia Myths Persist (opens in a new tab)

Jen O'Sullivan · Substack · 2025 · International

Takes apart common beliefs about dyslexia, such as letter reversals and visual causes, and explains what research shows about its language-based roots and why the myths matter.

FreeOpens at readwritejen.substack.com

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Dysgraphia and written expression 12

Difficulties with handwriting, spelling and getting ideas onto the page, and how to teach and support each one.

Webinar

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Dyslexia and dysgraphia webinar (opens in a new tab)

Lyn Stone · About 1 hour · Australia

A webinar from Australian linguist Lyn Stone, made for parents who want to know more about dyslexia and dysgraphia. Clear enough for teachers too, and one to pass on to families.

FreeOpens at youtube.com

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What is dysgraphia? (opens in a new tab)

Understood · Guides and explainers · USA

Understood's article describes dysgraphia as a writing challenge that affects skills such as handwriting, typing and spelling, and explains how it can affect learning.

FreeOpens at understood.org

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Dyscalculia and maths difficulties 14

Persistent difficulty with number and calculation, how it differs from gaps in what has been taught, and what effective maths intervention involves.

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Dyscalculia

Understanding dyscalculia (opens in a new tab)

The NCETM Podcast · with Cat Eadle

Dyscalculia specialist Cat Eadle explains what dyscalculia is, how it differs from other maths difficulties, and how mastery-style teaching can help. A short listen of a little over twenty minutes.

FreeOpens at ncetm.org.uk

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ADHD 11

These are the webinars and guides I'd share with a teacher who wants to understand attention and motivation, and to set up a calm classroom where students with ADHD can do well. A few are made for families, and say so.

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Autism 14

Here you'll find webinars and classroom guides, most of them Australian, on communication, sensory needs, visual schedules and transitions, with autistic voices alongside the research.

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Supporting students with additional needs 23

I've gathered the practical things here, including what the Disability Standards ask of us, how to plan adjustments and Individual Education Plans, and how to work well with education support staff.

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Interview

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Professor Linda Graham on inclusive education (The School Can't Experience Podcast, episode 50) (opens in a new tab)

The School Can't Experience Podcast, with Linda Graham · About 50 minutes · Australia

Professor Linda Graham, Director of the QUT Centre for Inclusive Education, talks with host Leisa Reichelt about teaching and assessment that every student can access, and what the Disability Standards ask of schools. This is the video recording of the podcast episode.

FreeOpens at youtube.com

Research

Making best use of teaching assistants: Guidance report (opens in a new tab)

Evidence for Learning · Guidance report · 2019 · Australia

Seven recommendations to help principals and leadership teams in primary and secondary schools make the best use of teaching assistants. The full report and a one-page poster are free to download.

FreeOpens at evidenceforlearning.org.au

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Education support staff

Deployment of teaching assistants (opens in a new tab)

Evidence into Action

Alex Quigley and Kirsten Mould discuss the EEF's updated guidance on deploying teaching assistants, with Gary Aubin and practitioners reflecting on what works in their settings.

FreeOpens at evidenceintoaction.podbean.com

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