Trialling IDL: Supporting Learning and Wellbeing

Over the past few months, we’ve been trialling IDL (International Dyslexia Learning) in various ways to support children with their education. It’s been a fascinating journey, and we wanted to take the opportunity to share what we’ve discovered so far. From helping students in after-school tutoring sessions to guiding home-educated children in strengthening the basics, filling gaps in their learning, and consolidating their skills, IDL has proven to be a highly effective and flexible tool.

One of the features we’ve explored is using IDL's literacy and numeracy screening alongside our own dyslexia and dyscalculia screenings. Combining these has enabled us to produce even more detailed and insightful follow-up reports for families and schools, offering clear and practical recommendations tailored to each child’s needs.

A Holistic Approach with IDL Wellbeing

Although literacy and numeracy are at the core of IDL, it was their newest addition – IDL Wellbeing – that initially caught our attention. With a deep professional and personal interest in mental health, particularly among young people, this aspect of the programme aligns perfectly with our wider goals.

Liz's master’s thesis completed while studying at the University of Exeter and her PhD research proposal focus on building protective factors to support young people’s mental health. Neurodivergent individuals are often at greater risk of mental health challenges, and we are passionate about finding ways to promote their resilience and maximise their wellbeing.

IDL Wellbeing adopts an integrated approach to support children, aged 7 -13, to understand and address unwelcome emotions as well as encourage positive ones. What’s more, it integrates seamlessly with academic development, creating a truly holistic approach to learning and personal growth.

This focus on mental health and resilience also ties in with a blog we published in December: “Is optimism in the SEND crisis too hopeful—or exactly what's needed?” In that piece, we reflected on our CEO and Founder's appearance on BBC Radio 5, where Liz spoke about the Education Committee’s new inquiry into the crisis in special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) provision. She shared her thoughts on what this review could achieve, the solutions she believes we need, and why she feels that optimism and action are essential to improving outcomes for children with SEND. Our experiences trialling IDL have further reinforced this belief – when we equip young people with the right tools, their potential is limitless.

A Case Study: A Remarkable 9-Year-Old Learner

One of the most rewarding aspects of using IDL has been witnessing its impact on the children we work with. We’d like to share the story of one particularly inspiring learner.

This 9-year-old boy is a bright and articulate child whose oral communication skills surpass his written output. However, dyslexia traits have presented challenges in reading and spelling, which in turn have affected his confidence and progress.

Since starting IDL Literacy and IDL Wellbeing, both at home and during our weekly tutoring sessions, his progress has been remarkable. Over three months, his reading age increased by 22 months, and his spelling age improved by 8 months.The positive effects have extended far beyond the numbers. He is now more confident when tackling reading tasks, and at home, his parents have noticed a significant change. A standout moment for the family came when they watched a foreign film together – for the first time, he was able to keep up with the subtitles independently. Over recent weeks, he has also started leaving notes for his mum demonstrating his increased confidence. Another feature of IDL Literacy that has been particularly effective for him is the ability to read words out loud and hear himself speak them as the recording is played back. This auditory feedback loop has proven invaluable in building his fluency and confidence. By listening to his own voice, he can self-correct and internalise the correct pronunciation and rhythm of words. This process not only reinforces learning but also fosters a sense of accomplishment, which is crucial for maintaining motivation.

His growing confidence in reading and spelling has been a joy to watch. He’s an incredibly charming and delightful child, and seeing him take pride in his progress is a true privilege.

Why IDL Works

One of the things we love most about IDL is its adaptability. It is equally effective for assessing and addressing gaps in core skills as it is for supporting neurodivergent learners to build confidence and thrive. Whether you’re a school teacher or a home educating parent, IDL offers a suite of tools that make a meaningful difference – not just academically, but holistically.

👉 If you want to learn more about IDL and how it could benefit your educators, we’ll happily answer any questions. You can also learn more and start a free trial via this link.

Let’s continue working together to empower children – not just in learning, but in life.