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Support for a
dyslexic student.

Nervous?

As a dyslexic student you may be nervous about approaching your tutors. Your tutor is paid to teach and support you, and it can be helpful to go and see them.

Let them know that you are dyslexic, so that they are aware of any particular difficulties in connection with their subject or teaching method. They may be able to put you in touch with any special facilities that exist in your college or university.

Your personal tutor.

This is the person to approach on personal matters such as changes of course, study probems, or difficulty coping with the work. This tutor may also advise you on academic matters, or your college may have appointed a separate academic tutor to advise on your studies. It is common for dyslexic students to experience crises during their course, and your personal tutor is the person who may be able to counsel you through a difficult period.

You may not wish to make it generally known that you are dyslexic; if this is the case, your personal tutor will speak to you in confidence.

You need to make a decision about whether you are going to 'come out' as a dyslexic person or not. Although you may have suffered from bullying at school, in general, the reaction of other students to a dyslexic person is one of sympathy and support. A dyslexic student is valued by other students for their personality, support, management skills, sporting ability, etc., rather than for their ability to spell.

We all have strengths and weaknesses: some people are color blind, some people have poor time management skills, some people have a history of emotional problems, some people are lacking in confidence, some people missed out on a satisfactory education, and so on.

Dyslexia is just one of many disabilities which people encounter in the workplace. You could try saying to people that you have difficulties with text but that you manage fairly successfully if you take your time. Rather than putting people off, showing your human side can endear people to you, and allow you to come across as a more sympathetic person to whom they will speak more openly. None of us are perfect!

Learning Support department.

Some colleges and universities now have a Learning Supportdepartment. There may be specialists in dyslexia, who will be able to advise you on any grants available in your country for you to buy software, a computer or to pay for photocopying. (In the UK, for example, (and in some other countries) there are grants for a dyslexic student to have all of these, and to pay for an assessment by a psychologist. These grants are available from your local education authority - ask at the Learning Support department at your university,)

A special needs department will also have staff who can assist you in such areas as essay writing, study techniques and exam preparation.

Your lecturers.

Your normal lecturers and professors may be able to help by supplying copies of lecture notes or of the overhead displays on their PowerPoint program. It is always advisable - however nervous you feel - to approach a teacher at the end of a lecture to clarify a confusing point. Make sure that that they are aware that you are dyslexic.

If a tutor makes an appointment to see you, make sure to be on time. It can upset people if you are late. Also, do not telephone your tutor late at night or at the weekend. It will not be appreciated!

Other dyslexic students.

There must be lots of dyslexic students in every college and university. There may be a way of meeting them, for example, through a special needs tutor. If you can find a way to meet up - you might put a notice on a board for people to contact you on your cellphone or mobile - it can be good to share concerns and to know that you are not alone!

Although the level of support for dyslexic students in universities around the world is poor - including the USA - many UK universities provide support:

• Information about Higher Education for dyslexic students - Outline by the British Dyslexia Association of provision for dyslexic students in UK universities, including the Disabled Students Allowance.

• Disabilities and Dyslexia Service - University of North London, UK.

• Disability Services - Are you dyslexic? - Nottingham Trent University, UK.

• Dyslexia Support Service - University of Birmingham, UK.

• Student Support - Department for Education and Skills, UK.

• Scholarship Programs - Scholarships for Students with Disabilities.

• UK Grants for Dyslexic Students - Scholarships for UK Students with Dyslexia.