WELCOME TO Diverse learners’ association in Helsinki HERO

1. WELCOME TO Diverse learners’ association in Helsinki HERO Helsingin seudun erilaiset oppijat ry

2. HERO • is founded 4.5.1994 • is an association for the interests of people who have difficulties in learning (children and adults) • target groups • different learners themselves • their parents • teachers • social and health care sector • employers • authorities • etc.

3. Finnish Diverse Learners’ Association • founded in 2001 • 18 sub-organisations in Finland • an umbrella organization for people with learning disabilities in Finland • emphasizes that we all are different and learn new things not in the same way than others • acting Finland-wide for ”diverse learners’ interests

4. Not stupid ones, just diverse! • A lazy collegue? • A stupid student? • A difficult child? • An incompetent employee? OR MAYBE A PERSON WITH A DIFFERENT WAY TO LEARN? THEIR BRAIN JUST PROCESSES INFORMATION IN DIFFERENT WAY!

5. Diverse learners • 20-30 % of population have learning difficulties • 5 – 10 % have dyslexia • Diverse learners have problems for example • in reading and/or writing • in mathematics • orientation with space, time and direction • in concentration • motorical problems • etc.

6. Some features of learning difficulties • lots of typing errors • letters and numbers change places • lines ”jump” on the paper • east and west, left and right easily mixed with each other • difficulties to use a map • problems with the co-ordination • difficulties to keep to time-tables and remember dates

7. Some features of learning difficulties • Not connected with IQ! • Often inheritable • Only part of persons with learning difficulties has a neurological reason for the problems and a special diagnosis like ADHD, Asperger syndrome, autism etc. • When not attended, connected often with low self-confidence

8. Dyslexia • Dyslexia is a learning difficulty that primarily affects the skills involved in accurate and fluent word reading and spelling. • Characteristic features of dyslexia are difficulties in phonological awareness, verbal memory and verbal processing speed. • Dyslexia occurs across the range of intellectual abilities.

9. Dyslexia • Co-occurring difficulties may be seen in aspects of language, motor co-ordination, mental calculation, concentration and personal organisation, but these are not, by themselves, markers of dyslexia. (BDA)

10. HERO • for interest of diverse learners • promoting studies and research on the topic • informing and consulting • building networks • publishing bulletin • institute for studies

11. HERO Center • is open daily 11.00-18.00 • organizes many activities and services • consulting • training groups for different subjects and hobbies • expert services in testing • rehabilitation • public lectures etc. • publishes books and other material

12. HERO Center • organizes experimental projects looking for solutions and possibilities for people who learn in different way • a library cafe and a computer class open daily • centre itself houses not only HERO but also • the ADHD Association in Helsinki region • the Association for the Support of the Dysfatic Children in Helsinki Region • the Association for Neurofibromatose in Finland

13. Diverse learner – different way to learn! • ”whole body” -learner • ”whole picture” -learner • creative • learns by doing -> DON’T FORGET THE STRENGHTS!

14. Aids and Devises for Diverse Learners • Audio books • Screen reader • Audio book maker • Dictation machine • Camera (OCR) • Scanners (OCR) • Dictionary Pen • Speech recognition Program