Lorraine Carson Independent Educational Psychologist

19/02/2026

14/02/2026

THIS.

14/02/2026

So true...

13/02/2026

Hospital Passport electronic form and guidance notes
https://www.publichealth.hscni.net/publications/hsc-hospital-passport-and-guidance-notes

11/02/2026

Calling all teachers, school leaders and literacy co-ordinators from both primary and post-primary settings! Join us for a day of informative, high-quality professional development at the Developing Literacy event.

As part of the 'Delivering the NI Curriculum with Apple' series, the event aims to showcase the role that technology can play in supporting teachers to develop children's language and literacy skills. In this Developing Literacy event, we will explore research-led strategies, hear examples of best practice and get hands-on with technology in meaningful ways.

This event will take place on Tuesday 3rd March from 9am at W5 Belfast.

✅ For more information and to register, please visit: https://ow.ly/Szp350YaulV

This event is kindly supported by our partners Academia, Apple and O'Brien Press.

11/02/2026

A great analogy

Bob Slavin used this metaphor to describe a pattern we see far too often in education.

We spend enormous time and resources responding after students struggle instead of investing in what research shows can prevent failure in the first place.

Slavin argued that much reading failure is preventable when schools focus on early screening, explicit instruction, and evidence based practices from the start. That is the fence.

Waiting until students fall and then trying to fix the damage is the ambulance.
Intervention matters.
But prevention changes lives.

When we know better, we do better.

10/02/2026

Another great post from Breakthrough Dyslexia N.I.

08/02/2026

Stop asking them to "just write it down."

For a dyslexic teen, the gap between a brilliant thought and a written sentence isn’t a bridge—it’s a canyon.

They have the ideas. They have the vocabulary. They have the "big picture" vision that most people would kill for.

But the moment they pick up a pen, the Processing Wall hits. The spelling, the grammar, and the linear structure act like a bottleneck, stifling their actual intelligence.

The current GCSE curriculum measures how well you can follow a line. I measure how well you can communicate your
brilliance.

💡 Tip! The Reverse Outline -Method

Instead of forcing them to write a linear essay plan (which is often a dyslexic nightmare), have them Brain Dump visually

* Record it - Have them speak their main argument into a phone first.
* Map it - Use a mind map (Visual Mapping) to connect the ideas.
* Color-code it - Assign one colour to Evidence and another for Analysis

When they see their thoughts as a map rather than a list, the anxiety drops and the marks go up.

I’ve spent 28 years translating the Standard Curriculum into Dyslexic Success.

Your teen isn't broken; the system’s instructions are just written in a language they don't use.

Your child’s brilliance is there. We just need to unlock the exit.

✨ Want to bridge the gap for your teen?
Comment with the word SUCCESS below, or DM me and I’ll send you the info sign up link for my weekly GCSE English study sessions designed specifically for the way their brain actually works

03/02/2026

🌟 ABC Autism & Sport Programme 🌟

For children with an interest in sport and physical activity… delivered in a group setting.

An inclusive programme for children with Autism to develop fundamental sports skills in a supportive environment that suits their needs.

👧👦 Ages 7–12
📍 Banbridge Leisure Centre
📅 Wednesdays | 18 February - 25 March 2026
🕓 4:15 - 5pm
💷 £2.50 per session
✅ Friends & siblings welcome!

📩 Registration is essential
📞 Contact Colleen Connolly
📱 07769 250885
📧 colleenconnolly@dsni.co.uk

Delivered in partnership with Disability Sport NI and Progressive Building Society

20/01/2026

The Autism Reality Experience is an immersive event which recreates the challenges that people with autism face to help embed empathy, understanding and inclusive support.

This experience is suitable for family members or informal carers who want to have a better understanding of autism. There will also be support services available at each event.

You only need to attend one session (10am-1pm or 1.30pm – 4.30pm).
• Tuesday 10 Feb at Brownstown Jubilee Community Centre
• Wednesday 11 Feb at Gilford Community Centre
• Thursday 12 Feb at Brownlow Community Hub

Register before Wednesday 4 Feb by emailing: 👉 claire.mcccann@armaghbanbridgecraigavon.gov.uk or pat.prunty@armaghbanbridgecraigavon.gov.uk

15/01/2026

KIDS CASTING CALL // 6-13 year olds with a visible disability who have a NI / Irish accent.

Any submissions should be sent to carlastrongecasting@gmail.com

Please share with anyone you feel is suitable!
Team CSC x

05/12/2025

Love this!