Students with Dyslexia

Here are some comments from students with dyslexia:

• I may need to read a page many times before I understand the meaning.
• I'm dyslexic, but I get support from college.
• I get a lot of complaints about my spelling and grammar.
• I have developed strategies which allow me to get round many of my dyslexic difficulties.
• I find it hard to organise my ideas in an essay.
• I cannot keep up when taking notes.
• I use technology aids to help with my work: I'd be lost without them.

Support at college or university.

Colleges and universities usually have a department responsible for student support services, which can guide students to dyslexia support. If you cannot find a dyslexia support service at your college, try searching the college website. This should tell you what services are available to dyslexic students. Some university websites also include useful advice on study skills techniques which may be particularly helpful for dyslexic students.

It is not uncommon for students who have never before been identified as dyslexic to be diagnosed at college. If you have a concern about possible dyslexia, ask if the college can provide a dyslexia screen and advice.

Dyslexic students usually benefit from learning study skills techniques and may use specialist software or equipment to help with taking notes and writing assignments. Colleges are required to make 'reasonable adjustments' to the way courses are delivered and assessed, to ensure that dyslexic students are not placed at an unnecessay disadvantage.

Dyslexic students on higher education (degree-level) courses may be eligible for a Disabled Student Allowance (DSA), which meets extra costs of study which arise as a direct result of dyslexia. (See government information on DSA)

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