Helene Berntsen

Helene Berntsen is an Associate Professor in Special Education at the Department of Pedagogy, University of Agder. Her research focuses on dyslexia, reading difficulties, and multilingualism, with a particular emphasis on identifying decoding challenges in multilingual contexts. She holds a doctoral degree from 2024, completing her thesis titled 'Reading difficulties and bilingualism. Can decoding difficulties be identified in a second language?'

Her teaching and professional experience spans special education roles in Employment and Inclusion sectors, adult education centers, and as a special education coordinator in primary and secondary schools. Research contributions include experimental linguistics and special education, often addressing systemic educational challenges such as late detection of dyslexia and equitable support for multilingual learners.

Publications highlight her work in peer-reviewed journals, podcasts, and media contributions (e.g., NRK radio and TV appearances), emphasizing public engagement with educational issues. Recent work (2023–2025) critiques educational downsizing and advocates for better documentation of adult dyslexia cases.

• Key Research Areas: Dyslexia in multilingual populations, reading interventions, special education policy.
• Affiliations: University of Agder, Lovisenberg Diakonale Høyskole collaborations.