The Wigan and District Dyslexia Association was founded in 1991 and is 
affiliated to the British Dyslexia Association.  It is run by totally by 
volunteers.  Its aim is to put its self out of business.  By raising 
awareness of dyslexia to such a degree that through correct teaching 
techniques dyslexic children no longer require statements of special needs, 
and employers are able to adapt working situations to enhance the potential 
of the dyslexic adult.

The Association provide a number of services for its members - a Help-line 
that is manned Monday - Friday 8pm till 10pm.  A Drop-in held on the first 
Wednesday of every month, 
6.30pm till 8pm.  Plus a personal and confidential befriending service from 
trained befrienders who offer practical help, advice and moral support to 
parents of dyslexic children.  As dyslexia is heredity one or other of the 
child's parents are also likely to be dyslexic and may need help to write 
letters etc.  There is also a library of books / videos that our members may
loan.

Below is a list of problems associated with dyslexia and while all dyslexics
are different they will have problems with a least a few of the following

Reading/Spelling/Literacy/Comprehension

Fine and gross motor control

writing / Tying shoe laces / Fastening buttons

Riding a bike / Kicking and catching a ball 

cutting out / manipulating small items.

Organisation and memory
including following instructions
Putting letters and numbers the wrong way round
Sequencing (times tables, months of the year)
Long term and short term memory
Audio memory and Visual memory

The frustration that these difficulties can cause can lead to behavioural 
difficulties or withdrawal by the dyslexic child, which can have far 
reaching consequences into adulthood.  
We aim to give parents the knowledge to help them ensure that their child 
receives the correct type of teaching,and help required to enable them to
reach their potential and not just functional literacy, 
(reading and spelling age 9 1/2 to 10 years).   

At present we are raising money for our 'Dyslexia Friendly Schools Project' 
so that we can pay for 40 teachers to have specialist training and 
qualifications that will enable them to correctly teach Dyslexic children.  
We need to raise £49,000 by September.  This will mean that 40 of our 
borough 
teachers will be able to assess children age 5yrs and upwards, advise and 
assist other teachers and schools.  Most importantly give multi-sensory 
teaching to those children who have Special Educational Needs.  Though I 
feel that it is relevant to point out that multi-sensory teaching is 
appropriate and helpful for all children whether they have a 
Specific Learning Difficulty or not.

The reponse form schools and teachers has been very positive and we have 
already got 31 teachers who have put their names down to go on this 
demanding and time consuming course.