Dyslexia Handled

Hi, I'm Ivan Newman. Ever since my wife, Vivien, walked into my life on her first day at uni, dyslexia and dyspraxia have been the norm for me.  In fact, we would never had met had she not been completely lost!

Over the years we have come to know both the 'ups' and the 'downs' of these specific learning difficulties in both our immediate family and more widely.  We know at first hand how 'the system' means that people with dyslexia or dyspraxia are unfairly and unjustifiably labelled and often discriminated against. 

After a first degree in Physics and Computing, I worked for many years with major international companies.  This involved legal, financial, technology, sales, marketing, projects, internal communications and managerial areas. I travelled the globe!  Then, as often happens, the company was taken over and I decided that the new company's culture wasn't for me.  So, I left.

Good move!  I was now free to be my own boss, which led directly to a complete change of direction - working with people with dyslexia and dyspraxia, mostly at universities (or just about to go).  It is great for me, and hopefully my students, to combine all those years of corporate experience with expertise in science, technology, writing plus qualifications in conducting diagnostic assessments and supporting adult learners with specific learning difficulties, such as dyslexia and dyspraxia.

Each day my students bring me their dyslexia and dyspraxia related problems to solve and, together, that's what we do. Take a look at some of the examples of the issues my students and I have worked on.

I look forward to working with you as well.  You can contact me directly through the Contact Page.

Qualifications

For the record, here are my qualifications (in date order):

• BSc (Hons) Physics and Computing
• MBA
• Chartered Engineer (C Eng)
• European Engineer (Eur Ing)
• Chartered IT Professional (CITP)
• Member of the Chartered Management Institute (MCMI)
• Certificate in Global Marketing
• Postgraduate Certificate in Teaching Adult Dyslexic Learners in Higher & Further Education (PG Cert TADLHFE)
• Postgraduate Diploma in Assessing Specific Learning Difficulties (PG Dip Assessing SpLDs)
• Masters in Specific Learning Difficulties (MA)
• PATOSS Assessor Practising Certificate No. 50000 2210-IF7005
• PATOSS Tutor Practicing Certificate No. 2141-IF7005
• ADSHE QA Certificate ADSHEQA74
• Registered as a Non Medical Helper Provider (Specialist Tutorial Support) at DSA-QAG No. B4HMJLFCNC, Certifcate No. 211293.

Papers published

• Newman, I., 2015.  The Problem with Dictating Essays.  Case Study. Journal of Neurodiversity in Higher Education. Volume 1, pp. 66-84.
• Newman, I. & Conway, J., 2016.  The Nature of an ILE. Journal of Inclusive Practice in FE & HE, Volume 7, pp. 100-111.
• Newman, I., 2016.  An Evaluation of Specialist One-to-One Study Skills Tutorials. Journal of Neurodiversity in Higher Education. Volume 2, pp. 8-22.
• Newman, I., 2017.  Busting the Barriers to Inclusive Learning Environments. Journal of Inclusive Practice in FE & HE. Volume 8, pp. 30-35
• Newman, I., 2017. Delivering Specialist Study Skills Tutorials via Remote Working Tools.  Journal of Neurodiversity.  Volume 3, pp. 34-58.
• Newman, I., Healey, C, Newman, V, Osborne A (In preparation).  When "Read it again!" Won't Work: Teaching strategies for cognitively diverse students.

Conference Papers

• April 2015. PATOSS. Mathematics Education Centre, Loughborough.  Paper delivered:  The problem with propositional logic.  A case study of a philosophy student with dyscalculia
• June 2016. NADP Annual Conference.  Leading workshop: Busting the Barriers to Inclusive Learning Environments
• June 2016.  ADSHE Annual Conference. Leading workshop: Gaining Confidence Supporting Science & Technology Learners
• November 2016.  Dyslexia Assessment & Consultancy Annual Conference. Leading workshop:  Supporting Students Using Remote Working Tools
• April 2017.  BALEAP Spring conference. Leading workshop:  Handling cognitive diversity in the teaching of English for academic purposes
• June 2017.  NADP Annual Conference: Leading workshop Sisyphus or Hercules.  Implementing Inclusive Teaching and Learning Environments

Professional memberships

• ADSHE (Association of Dyslexia Specialists in Higher Education)
• PATOSS (Professional Association for Teachers and Assessors of Students with Specific Learning Difficulties)
• NADP (National Association of Disability Practitioners)
• National Association of NMH Providers
• CIM (Chartered Institute of Management)
• CIIT (Chartered Institute for IT)
• FEANI (European Federation of National Engineering Associations)

I'm currently studying for a doctorate by examining the recent Government changes to the Disabled Students' Allowances.

Hobbies and Interests

I have been, and still am, competing in triathlon (swimming, cycling, running) since 1983, often representing Great Britain at European and World Championship level, plus I have a triathlon coaching qualification.  I also ski, shoot arrows and read spy, sci-fi and historical novels.  Culture-wise I enjoy classical & film music, Shakespeare's plays and current affairs.  Much to my wife's dismay, I peer into all holes dug in the ground, up at cranes, into machines, at building sites, at planes taking off and landing and just about anything mechanical.  But, I compensate for this foible - we have a great time cycling on our tandem, walking and sailing together when we're on holiday. I'm also proof-reader in chief for her history books and 'tech support' for her First World War Women's website, Twitter and Facebook accounts.

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