Learning difficulties focus of talks

Whangarei educational psychologist and author Laughton King will visit Dunedin next month to host a series of seminars on the subjects of learning difficulties and co-operative parenting.

Mr King, who practised educational, child, and family psychology for 30 years, is on a self-funded four-year tour of New Zealand to bring his short seminars on how to deal with children with learning difficulties, such as dyslexia which Mr King suffers from himself, to local communities, teachers, teacher aides, parents and specialist educators.

He was in Dunedin last week to arrange seminars at various schools throughout the city. He will return in June.

Mr King said smaller communities were generally left off of the itineraries of most visiting public speakers and he wanted his tour of New Zealand to include its ‘‘heartland'' as well as its main centres.

‘‘As a dyslexic person myself, I have a fair understanding of the nightmare that many of these children are living through.

There is nothing wrong with the child, just as there is nothing wrong with a diesel engine - we just need to understand that it works differently from a petrol engine, and needs different fuel,'' Mr King said.

Being dyslexic, as well as being academically qualified and professionally experienced, placed him in a reasonably rare position, Mr King said.

‘‘I see this as being a privilege - but it carries an obligation. My obligation, and my mission, is simply to assist the teachers, and the parents, of these children to understand their style and their reality.''

Mr King said he would take every opportunity he could to assist these children.

- Laughton King's seminars will be held in Dunedin from June 15 to June 19 and again from July 20 to August 8. Schools, parents, and teachers interested in attending or obtaining more information can call Laughton King on 027 417-1804 or email laughton.king@win.co.nz