SASC Conference 2025

Our 2025 SASC Conference will be presented online over a series of days in June.

The conference events are free of charge to all SASC members. There is a charge of £16.96 per session for non members of SASC.

Note the sessions will all be recorded and made available to those unable to attend at the original broadcast time.

***All who book will have access to recordings of the sessions for 1 month after the events. If you cannot attend on the day you should still book to be able to access the recordings after the event.***

Supporting papers will be available to download from this page the week before the conference. 

SASC has a policy to support development of additional quality CPD from other providers and does not give authorised credit hours for its own conference and presentations. So please note SASC Conference sessions do not count as SASC approved CPD. They can count as supplementary CPD.

Wednesday  4 June 2025 10am

The new format for a diagnostic assessment report for SpLDs May 2025

Caroline Holden & Alice Thomas

In this talk Caroline Holden and Alice Thomas will present an introduction to the new report format. They will discuss how the report format has been updated in the light of several recent key developments, including the UK Delphi dyslexia study, the publication of SASC guidance for the assessment of specific mathematics difficulties and dyscalculia, ongoing requests for greater flexibility to be built into the format and the impact of the publication of new test batteries. 

Caroline and Alice will also discuss the reasons for merging the previous pre-16 years and 16+ years formats into one document and the inclusion of rationales and research evidence. They will show how and explain why additional guidance and information regarding use of the format is now built into the document.

The new report format will be published on the SASC website in advance of the SASC Conference and there will be a chance to ask questions at the end of the presentation.

Wednesday  4 June 2025 2:30pm 

Mapping the Test List to the Report Format

Armande Fryatt

Experienced assessor and member of the STEC Committee, Armande Fryatt, will talk through how to map tests in order to meet the requirements of the report format. Armande will discuss how to select a test for each section of the report, together with their pros and cons, following SASC guidance. Guidance will be given on how to select tests according to clients' individual needs. 

Thursday 5 June 2025 10am

Mathematical Cognition: Latest research and implications for assessment

Camilla Gilmore & Janet Goring

Professor Camilla Gilmore will discuss recent research into mathematical cognition that explains the cognitive and non-cognitive skills involved in learning mathematics. Mathematics is a varied discipline and individuals can struggle in different ways. An understanding of the wide range of factors that influence maths learning is needed to identify an individual's difficulties. The presentation will include a framework which draws together these disparate skills and discuss what this means for supporting learners. This framework informed the structure of assessment in the SASC Guidance on Assessment of Mathematics Difficulties and Dyscalculia 2025.

Janet Goring will then summarise the implications for assessment in the 2025 report format. 

Camilla Gilmore is Professor of Mathematical Cognition at Loughborough University and leads the ESRC Centre for Early Mathematics Learning.

Thursday 5 June 2025 12pm  

Understanding Maths Anxiety

Janet Goring and Tom Hunt

The link between Maths anxiety and maths difficulties is recognised in the SASC 2025 definition of a specific learning difficulty in mathematics. Therefore, a thorough understanding of the relationship between maths anxiety and maths difficulties is needed when conducting a maths assessment. 

Dr Thomas Hunt will present current thinking on maths anxiety including categories of definitions/descriptors, presentation and how risk and protective factors influence the impact or provide resilience. The presentation will also look at how maths anxiety may be evaluated and how individuals may be supported.

Following this recorded presentation, Janet Goring will briefly summarise how maths anxiety should be considered as part of a SpLD maths assessment.

Dr Hunt is  Associate Professor in Psychology, University of Derby.

Friday 6 June 2025 10am 

Updated Visual Difficulties Guidance

Aleks Mankowska & Jim Gilchrist

Further information TBC

Friday 6 June 2025 2:30pm 

Language in the new report format: developing understanding, avoiding misunderstanding and knowing our boundaries

Jane Yeomans

This seminar will explore some key elements of language that are relevant for navigating this section of the new report format. The seminar will begin with a brief overview of language acquisition then go on to think about links between language, literacy and maths. I'll briefly touch on typical and atypical development, including current definition of DLD. Misunderstanding will be explored in relation to assumptions and conclusions about the individual’s language and its relevance to the diagnostic process. The seminar will suggest some assessment approaches, links to intervention and will also consider the extent of professional boundaries, particularly in relation to onward referral to speech and language therapy services.

Dr Jane Yeomans is an independent Educational Psychologist, member of STEC and a Licensed Tutor for Speech and Language UK Talk Boost and Early Talk Boost programmes.

The conference events are free of charge to all SASC members. 

Note the sessions will all be recorded and made available to those unable to attend at the original broadcast time.

***All who book will have access to recordings of the sessions for 1 month after the events. If you cannot attend on the day you should still book to be able to access the recordings after the event.***

Supporting papers will be available to download from this page the week before the conference. 

SASC has a policy to support development of additional quality CPD from other providers and does not give authorised credit hours for its own conference and presentations. So please note SASC Conference sessions do not count as SASC approved CPD. They can count as supplementary CPD.