© Dyslexia-Research.com - Dr Neil Alexander-Passe - Contact at: neilpasse@aol.com

Dyslexia-Research.Com - The home of humanistic dyslexia research

SENCO, SEN Teacher, Author (academic & Fiction)

Like many dyslexics, Neil found school hard and he lacked the skills to make a success in school environments. This was until he discovered he was good at art and design, which he excelled in, and importantly this was beyond the level of his non-dyslexic peers. This was his salvation, and allowed him to go to Art College (university) to gain a BA Hons in Graphic Design, and was the start of a 19 year career as a graphic designer in banks, advertising companies, magazine and travel companies (1990-2009).

The need to be better prepared for his own children, if they developed dyslexic, led him to undertake an MPhil, a part-time research masters in dyslexia and emotional coping (1999-2004). This was the start of a transition into SEN (special educational needs). First as a disability employment adviser for Remploy (2010) and secondly training to be a teacher (2010-11).

He was then asked to write chapters for two books on ‘Women and Depression’ and ‘Children and Depression’ both from a dyslexia perspective. The book chapters were the start of Neil’s in-depth research into the human side to dyslexia, leading to a sole authored book entitled ‘Dyslexia and Depression: The Hidden Sorrow’ (2010) and editing a book on ‘Dyslexia and Mental Health: from Differing Perspectives’ (2012).

His ‘Dyslexia and Depression’ book lead him into researching and sole authoring a book on ‘Dyslexia: Dating, Marriage and Parenthood’ (2012) which continued his work on the human aspects of dyslexia.

As a typical dyslexic he has many knowledge areas: art, design, photography and writing. He wanted to investigate such positive aspects by editing ‘Dyslexia and Creativity: from Differing Perspectives’ (2010), which like his other edited book, aimed to bring many researchers, educators and scientists together to brainstorm differing topics, many such contributors were professors and leaders in their fields, from the UK, US, Brazil, Italy, Finland and Sweden.

He is now promoting the books by ‘Alex Nile’, a dyslexic fiction author, who also writes on the human aspects of dyslexia, but in a more user friendly media (paperback and kindle via amazon). He sees this as important to convey that dyslexia is never cured, but develops throughout the life of individuals.

Since 2011 Neil has been a Secondary SEN Teacher working in mainstream and special schools, along with two PRUs (pupil referral units). He has taught dyslexic/SpLD students along other learning differences: ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder), ASD (Autism, Aspergers), SEBD (social, emotional and behavioural difficulties), PMLD, Tourettes etc.

In 2013-14 he was a SEN Teacher (Dyslexia Specialist) in a mainstream East London School, developing a dyslexia policy for the school and teaching and mentoring severe dyslexics in a range of subjects, along with students with visual and hearing impairments.

He is now 'Head of Learning Support' at a prestigious public school in North London, where he is developing new skills in supporting dyslexic students, and managing dyslexia policies.

His new book, launching in August 2015 is entitled ' Dyslexia and Mental Health: Helping People Identify Destructive Behaviours and Find Positive Ways to Cope through Jessica Kingsley publisher. This book is aimed at teachers and educational professionals.

This is an important and much needed book - the emotional impact of dyslexia has been neglected for too long.  In this comprehensive and accessible analysis, Neil Alexander-Passe skilfully draws upon contemporary theory and research from a range of disciplines to explore what we know and what we can do to best support the well-being of those living with dyslexia.’

Professor Neil Humphrey, Director of Research
for the Manchester Institute of Education

This book provides an original perspective on the socio-emotional aspects of dyslexia and will be welcomed by professionals working in the field.  It provides a refreshing addition to the plethora of books focusing on the theories and causes of dyslexia and complements these by turning to the important question of what it feels like to be dyslexic.

Professor Maggie Snowling, President,

St John's College, University of Oxford

This book provides a comprehensive picture of the many manifestations of emotional and affective domain challenges that might be encountered by dyslexics. It uses a wealth of pertinent research to provide a comprehensive background for understanding these problems and proposes a structure to manage and overcome them.

Professor Steve Chinn, author of Addressing the Unproductive Classroom Behaviours of Students with Special Needs, founder and former Principal of Mark College for dyslexic pupils, Chair and co-founder of the Council for the Registration of Schools Teaching Dyslexic Pupils (CReSTeD), Visiting Professor, University of Derby