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Celebrating 60 years of Learning Difficulties Australia

Presented by Learning Difficulties Australia


Marking six decades of advocacy for students with learning difficulties, this milestone event combines professional development with celebration. The program features two expert presentations: Dr Robyn Wheldall, Director of the MultiLit Research Unit, explores how educational and instructional psychology can optimise learning environments for students with diverse needs, with practical guidance on attention, teacher-student interactions, and classroom success; and Professor Sarah Powell from the University of Texas at Austin (2025 LDA Eminent Researcher Award recipient) presents five evidence-based practices for maths intervention, covering vocabulary instruction, multiple representations, systematic teaching, fluency building, and word-problem solving. The event includes exhibitions, networking, and refreshments alongside the professional learning sessions.

Key Takeaways

Strategies for optimising learning environments using educational and instructional psychology; practical guidance on attention and teacher-student interactions for diverse learners; five evidence-based maths intervention practices covering vocabulary, representations, systematic instruction, fluency, and word-problem solving.

Evidence base: Grounded in educational and instructional psychology research; maths intervention practices backed by peer-reviewed evidence from the Meadows Center for Preventing Educational Risk

Presenter

Dr Robyn Wheldall, Professor Sarah Powell

Dr Robyn Wheldall has over 30 years' experience in learning difficulties, special education, behaviour management, and literacy instruction. She is a founding Director of MultiLit Pty Ltd, Director of the MultiLit Research Unit, Vice-President of LDA, founding director of the Institute of Special Educators, and Research Fellow at Macquarie University. Professor Sarah Powell is a Professor at the University of Texas at Austin and Associate Director of the Meadows Center for Preventing Educational Risk, specialising in mathematics for students who experience maths differently. She is the 2025 recipient of LDA's Eminent Researcher Award.

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