Welcome to Learning Difficulties Australia
Learning Difficulties Australia is an association of teachers and other professionals dedicated to assisting students with learning difficulties through effective teaching practices based on scientific research, both in the classroom and through individualised instruction.
JOIN US!
The Science of Effective Reading Instruction: Theory and Practice
Perth | Saturday 31 July 2021
Not sure how a comprehensive reading approach taught explicitly looks like? Join Associate Professor Lorraine Hammond, Jared Bussell, Jordan O’Sullivan and Brooke Wardana for a day that focuses on both the Science of Reading and how to teach it.
Learn More
Join a community of professionals committed to effective teaching.
By becoming a member of LDA, you will have an opportunity to meet fellow teachers, speech-language pathologists, psychologists, researchers and other professionals working in the field of education who have a passion for improving student outcomes through effective instruction based on scientific research.
Members receive regular LDA publications via post, including the LDA Bulletin and the Australian Journal of Learning Difficulties as well as member discounts for participation in workshops, seminars and conferences.
You will also have access to the ‘Members Only’ areas of our website where you can obtain past issues of our publications as well as conference and seminar notes.
Latest Publication
Bulletin | Volume 53 | No 2, August 2021
Special Issue: Speech and Print
The central theme of this issue is speech and print, and the
focus is on early literacy instruction. The concepts…
The central theme of this issue is speech and print, and the
focus is on early literacy instruction. The concepts of speech and print are at the heart of the alphabetic code – the code that maps the sounds in…
The central theme of this issue is speech and print, and the
focus is on early literacy instruction. The concepts of speech and print are at the heart of the alphabetic code – the code that maps the sounds in spoken words onto written symbols.
Download Preview
Would you like access to the full publication? Become a member
Events
18
Sep
Online
Learning Difficulties Australia 2021 Annual General Meeting (AGM)
The LDA 2021 AGM is scheduled for 18th September. You must register to attend. Please ensure that your membership…
The LDA 2021 AGM is scheduled for 18th September. You must register to attend. Please ensure that your membership is up to date so you are eligible to vote.
The LDA 2021 AGM is scheduled for 18th September. You must register to attend. Please ensure that your membership is up to date so you are eligible to vote.
LDA Blog
Formal Notice of the 2021 Annual General Meeting (AGM)
Council has approved the 2021 Annual General Meeting for Learning Difficulties Australia to be held via Zoom on Saturday, 18…
Council has approved the 2021 Annual General Meeting for Learning Difficulties Australia to be held via Zoom on Saturday, 18 September at 11am AEST. Please register in advance for this meeting via the following link:
After registering, you will receive a…
Council has approved the 2021 Annual General Meeting for Learning Difficulties Australia to be held via Zoom on Saturday, 18 September at 11am AEST. Please register in advance for this meeting via the following link:
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. Members who wish to include agenda items for the meeting are invited to do so either through email to enquiries@ldaustralia.org or be posted to PO Box 382, Epping, NSW 1710.
Nominations are now being called for positions on LDA Council for 2021/2022. All positions on Council are for a one-year term of office, from the end of the 2021 AGM to the end of the 2022 AGM. We look forward to receiving nominations from LDA members who are committed to LDA's future and its mission. Nominations for ordinary member of Council or honorary officer positions can be emailed or posted. Please click here to view the nomination process and here for the nomination form. Nominations should reach the Secretary no later than 10pm AEST on Thursday 19 August 2021, and may be submitted by email to: enquiries@ldaustralia.org. Please indicate in the subject line: Nomination for LDA Council. Alternatively, nominations can be posted to PO Box 382, Epping, NSW 1710, and must arrive by close of mail on the same day. Please mark the envelope: Nomination for LDA Council.
2021 AGM
The Learning Difficulties Australia 2021 AGM occurred on Saturday 18th September, 2021 at 11am. The retiring council was thanked…
The Learning Difficulties Australia 2021 AGM occurred on Saturday 18th September, 2021 at 11am. The retiring council was thanked and a new council and President were welcomed. Please click here to view the reports from the meeting and here…
The Learning Difficulties Australia 2021 AGM occurred on Saturday 18th September, 2021 at 11am. The retiring council was thanked and a new council and President were welcomed. Please click here to view the reports from the meeting and here to view the new President's address.
Effective Instruction
Teachers are a major force for improving society. To be successful, the teaching profession must base its instructional practices on the results of good quality empirical research, and this involves keeping abreast of scientific developments. One of LDA’s main goals is to keep bridging the gaps between evolving scientific knowledge and members of the teaching profession, including educational policy makers, teacher education faculties, and teachers at the chalkface. Visit the skill areas below to learn about initiatives, approaches and programs that are being used effectively in each area.
Reading
Reading is a complex skill and it is a relatively recent invention, as far as human timelines go. Unlike speaking and listening, humans aren’t predisposed to develop reading skills naturally.
Find out more
Spelling
Reading and spelling are closely linked, but also draw on different skills and processes. At the most basic level, spelling is a production task while reading is one of recognition.
Find out more
Writing
As with reading, writing is not a natural skill and therefore must be taught. Unfortunately, many teachers do not feel well prepared to teach writing.
Find out more
Numeracy
Numeracy is a concept that is referred to as the ability to make use of mathematical concepts adeptly in our daily lives.
Find out more