Exploring Science with Dyslexic Children and Teens: Creative, multi-sensory ideas, games and activities to support learning

As the mother of an 11-year-old dyslexic child, I have focused his additional learning on English grammar and spelling. Therefore, it was enlightening to read about different multisensory ways to approach Science.

The book was accessible with a clear structure. With so many imaginative ideas and tricks, I now feel better able to support my son. I recommend to both parents and teachers.

I will regularly refer to this book and utilise the comprehensive lists of further reading and useful websites.

Lisa, parent of an 11-year-old dyslexic child

Enthusiastic, positive and innovative - just a few words that I would use to describe this wonderful book written by the experienced and knowledgeable Diana Hudson. With her first-hand experience of practical solutions in the classroom, she has compiled a treasure trove of ideas that work for pupils and teachers alike. She emphasises the strengths of the dyslexic pupil as well as things each may find difficult, and how important it is to make Science teaching relevant to life. Using poetry, songs, found items, colour, humour, dance and much more, this book of workable ideas, suitable for all pupils, can't help but enthuse those who read it. Diana's teaching methods enable Science pupils to go from: 'I can't' to 'I think I can' to 'I know I can'. An invaluable resource. Debbie Farnfield, co-founder of the Adult Dyslexia Centre and dyslexia specialist

Destigmatising dyslexia is a priority in educational circles; we must instead see dyslexia as a unique skill. This accessible collection of activities seeks to harness talents in dyslexic children as they learn the sciences. Brimming with enthusiasm and thorough, well-founded ideas, Hudson's gem of a handbook will be incredibly helpful for teachers and parents of dyslexic youngsters. Sharon Hodgson MP, chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Dyslexia and SpLD

This book shows a real depth of understanding of how science can be challenging for learners with specific learning needs. It is packed full of practical, do-able ideas that I think teachers will find easy to use in their classrooms. There are also genuinely thought-provoking ideas and links to further reading, making this book a great place to start exploring new ideas for teaching Science with students who have SEN. I will certainly be purchasing a copy of your book to share with my colleagues at school, so thank you for sharing it with me. Dr Gray Felton, GDST (Girls Day School Trust) Consultant Teacher for SEND

Diana Hudson has brought together years of professional and personal experience to provide a treasure chest of ideas and activities to encourage a creative and multisensory approach to science teaching. Although written with pupils with dyslexia and related specific learning difficulties in mind, this book contains a wealth of material to enrich learning for all students. Professor Derek Bell, Director of Learnus

This is terrific book, and the greatest thing is that it is so upbeat and positive. It really does accentuate the positive side of being dyslexic. There is an abundance of lively and fun ideas for teaching science, a subject which kids may struggle with whether they are dyslexic or not. Diana provides many creative ways to get Science across to children, using activities including games and music and dance. What better way to remember concepts that often seem obscure to young minds? Brian Little, chairman of the Adult Dyslexia Centre

Dr. Hudson ranks as one of my heroes when I was in secondary school. The work she did with me, which is reflected in the advice she offers in her book, helped me retain the confidence I needed to overcome challenges that others regarded as problems. Dr. Hudson taught me to embrace mistakes and use them as a springboard for success. She helped me find my strengths and showed me how to use them when I approach material that seemed daunting. She taught me multisensory methods to retain information successfully that I still use today. "My dog Veronica" is still painted on my temporal lobe to help me find "mass = density x volume". The techniques she taught me lit my path to medical school, and many of them I still use for my professional exams. I was lucky enough to have her in my classroom, but this book is the next best thing. I see her on every page. Dr Gabrielle Prager MBBS BSc MPH

Diana's multi-sensory ideas for learning science have been transformational for my Year 9 son with slow processing. Instead of trying to remember wordy descriptions we now use songs and rhymes, not only do we have a lot more fun, he remembers every word! Amanda Warren, parent of a teenager with dyslexia

A sense of important, powerful play is embedded in every page of Diana Hudson's Exploring Science with Dyslexic Children and Teens. From the fun simplicity of the illustrations to the curiosity built into each exercise, this book does not say "Here is the only way to do this." Instead, it provides techniques and core principles to equip any teacher, parent, or mentor of young people with tools to successfully approach scientific topics. Hudson does a wonderful job of trusting the expertise of her readers while also sharing her own to create a book that can be a blueprint for all kinds of educators. She includes numerous exercises that are exciting, rigorous, and enjoyable, while also discussing how to embody the spirit of scientific inquiry in exploring beyond those exercises for an individualized experience.
While the book is intended for those working with young people with dyslexia and other learning difficulties, the lessons and approaches can be applied to every form of science education and communication. Learners of all ages and styles can benefit from the multi-sensory approaches Hudson outlines. As a theatre-maker myself, I particularly enjoyed how she incorporated theatre and dance as core components to her approach. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking to grow and expand as a teacher, be they educators in schools or at home.
--Daniel Bird Tobin

Daniel Bird Tobin

Many areas of the curriculum can be difficult to access for children with dyslexia. Diana Hudson has written a very helpful book that will not only help with Science but will give children transferrable skills supporting other tricky areas such as spelling and Maths. The text is presented in a very dyslexia friendly way with plenty of multi-sensory ideas to make it fun and exciting. These ideas are not exclusively for dyslexic children - it contains many suggestions that will make Science more enjoyable for any child! Katrina Cochrane, founder of Positive Dyslexia