Dyslexia, Dysgraphia & Dyscalculia Demystified

This Critical Agendas workshop demystifies the specific learning disorders (SLDs) of dyslexia, dysgraphia, and dyscalculia — neurodevelopmental conditions that affect between 10–20% of the Australian population, with many more individuals remaining undiagnosed. The session provides educators with a clear, accessible understanding of how these conditions manifest in the classroom and offers practical strategies for supporting affected students. With somewhere between 2.5 and 5 million Australians estimated to have dyslexia alone, the chances of having students with SLDs in any given classroom are significant. Presenter Emily Ballenden is a specialist teacher, education consultant, and founder of Additional Education Services, holding a Bachelor of Education P–12, a Post-Graduate Certificate in Educational Learning and Leadership, and a Master's degree in Special Education. With 15 years of teaching experience across early childhood, primary, and secondary settings, Emily works with students from K–12 and supports teachers and parents in achieving desirable outcomes for students with SLDs. The workshop is interactive, with plenty of opportunity for discussion, questions, and hands-on activities.