Emma O'Kelly - Education, Assessment & Specialist Tutoring

Under normal circumstances, South Yorkshire would probably be too far to travel but this year's south Yorkshire Autism Fayre is going online. There are some amazing speakers, including my tutor and inspiration Luke Beardon and the incredible Temple Grandin. Prices are incredibly reasonable.

Check it out!

South Yorkshire Autism Fayre is well on it's way this year!

We're going online, we've got speakers from all across the world, and we're covering a range of topics including anxiety, puberty, adoption, holidays and legal rights for children with additional needs.

We also have South Yorkshire Autism Fayre KIDS! on Sunday 20th September, especially for all children, no diagnosis needed! Everyone is welcome to join us for a FREE 🆓 day of fun (and some learning in-between too - but ssshh 🤫, don't tell the kids! 😉😂)

Let's share this far and wide and get as much information as we can out there!! 🙌👏🙌👏

Soooooo important!

This is my most widely shared post. And rightly so, it’s an important one. These are “prewriting patterns”, with the average (not prescribed) age at which children are developmentally ready to achieve these patterns listed below them in years and months. Being able to process visual information and produce a movement in response (e.g. copying these prewriting patterns or letter formations), is known as “visual motor integration”. ⠀
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Note that an X is not typically achieved until 4 years 11 months, and a triangle at 5 years 3 months. If a child can’t form these basic shapes...then they probably won’t be able to form letters. ⠀
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It is quite concerning then that there are 3 year 7 month olds starting formal schooling, where they’re expected to write. Not only are their visual motor integration skills not developed enough, their hands are also physically under-developed. In addition, recognising letters, understanding phonics and beginning to read are all needed in order for a child to write meaningfully, skills which children starting kindy typically don’t have. We also know that when a child learns something that doesn’t hold meaning, it‘s unlikely to stick. ⠀
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So if you have a 3-4 year old who spontaneously asks or attempts to write letters, that’s great; otherwise, there is no need to initiate or worry about this. Unfortunately there is a misconception, particularly with the way that the current curriculum stands, that earlier is better. Earlier is not always better.⠀

Source: Beery Buktenica Test of Visual Motor Integration, 6th Edition
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Thank you to the Orton Gillingham Online Academy for this awesome graphic!