Alison Rees Edwards BA, PGCert (Open), PGCertHE, MA

When I left school, I raised a family before considering a career. As my children started school and Cylch Meithrin, I studied for a BTEC in Child Development Studies in Coleg Ceredigion, before working as a Learning Support Assistant. During my time working in these settings, I gained invaluable experiences of working with children with a range of learning difficulties such as dyslexia, dyspraxia, and autistic spectrum conditions.

In 2005, I decided to join the flexible learning route for the BA Early Years Education degree here at Trinity. This meant working during the day and studying in the evenings. I attained a First Class honours degree in 2008 and joined the University as a tutor on the Geiriau Bach project. In addition, I was awarded a University of Wales Welsh-medium Fellowship and became a lecturer in the School of Early Years.

In 2013, I achieved the Postgraduate Certificate in Teaching in Higher Education as well as an MA in Early Years Education. In 2015, I achieved a Postgraduate Certificate from the Open University.

Due to my ongoing interest in neurodiversity, I am now a PhD student, investigating the role of teaching assistants and how they support learners with ADHD.

I have an interest in every aspect of a young child’s life, with particular interest in additional learning needs, neurodiversity, and language acquisition.

I lecture on several undergraduate and postgraduate courses including themes and subjects such as:

• Developing successful academic skills,
• Multilingual practice in the early years,
• Language and literacy in the digital age,
• Supporting children with additional learning needs,
• Inclusive leadership,
• Health and well-being of young children.

I also supervise postgraduate dissertations.

• Academic study skills for students
• Young children’s language development
• Early literacy
• Children with additional learning needs
• Neurodiversity
• Bilingualism/Multilingualism