dysTalk

Web: www.dystalk.com

Launched in September 2008, dysTalk is an information-sharing social enterprise. Their five-word mantra for the project is "helping your child learn better." It's for parents of children who are looking for information on how to optimise their child's learning. dysTalk provides information on specific learning difficulties that may be undermining a child's performance (for example, dyslexia, dyspraxia, etc) as well as learning strategies that can potentially be applied to all children of all abilities.

How does it do this?

dysTalk is separated into online and offline components. Offline, it is a lecture series starting in London, at which top professionals in the learning difficulties world will speak to parents. This affords the crucial opportunity of interaction: both between the parents and the speakers; and between the parents themselves.

This ethos of sharing information is then reflected on dysTalk.com. They have filmed each lecture so that talks can be watched online for free. These lectures are accompanied by lots of shorter, 5 - 15 min talks and articles by similar professionals - as well as some parents.

The site also contains a resources section including useful books, links, professionals and schools. This section allows users of the site to upload and review any resources that they have found helpful.

These pieces form the focus for a Forum, in which parents can discuss the ideas raised further - as well as anything else that takes their fancy.