Trainee Teacher with Dyslexia

squidykins

I'm currently a trainee ICT teacher with dyslexia, one of the problems I have is reading paragraphs of text on a computer screen (Literacy) and listening to the information being spoken from the computer in order to absorp and process quickly (Maths). :eek:

The question I have is, I have to do TDA Skills tests and the Literacy and Maths one need people to do both of the above tasks with ease. I have passed the ICT one of course, but can't pass the other two. Any suggestions of how to get round this problem?

Thankyou

Suzie

nanokitten

I guess the first thing we need to know is whether the university is aware of your disability?
- as you would normally receive extra support (extra time, assistance in exams, coloured filters etc). The university is obliged to make reasonable adjustments and there are normally procedures in place for people with dislexia.

JoolzS

I don't think (I really, really hope there isn't) a way to "get around" passing a course that then entitles you to teach children.

If you can't pass the courses, then you simply shouldn't be allowed to teach.

Julie

moo2moo

You might find this article interesting reading.
http://www.bdainternationalconference.org/2001/presentations/fri_s6_c_8.htm

blackeberg

Not sure if you've already claimed it but you are entitled to 25% additional time. To set this up you need to register via the following page:

http://www.tda.gov.uk/skillstests/specialarrangements.aspx

hellokitty08

I work at a college, i dont teach at the moment, and they have been awesome in giving me extra support. Any of the packages that they have available for the students, they have offered to put on my computer, if i think it will help me. For me its not a presenting (therefor teaching issue) it would be preparing the paper work that i have trouble with.

nanokitten

JoolzS, I have to say that I don't agree with you.
In general there are plenty of things which can be done to level the playing field without giving someone a 'free pass'. As blackeberg states there are extra time allowances, also colour filters, screen readers, even personal assistants, masses of ways which can allow someone with dislexia to sit an exam and then carry out their job.

I agree that in some cases a disability may prevent someone from performing certain jobs (I for example would make a terrible brickie) however the disability discrimination act requires any reasonable adjustments to be made.

Squidykins: I suggest that you talk to your tutors / examiners and the disability support unit at yor uni about what can be done.

If you don't find a way that helps, get back to us - as there are plenty of creative thinkers and a fair few experts who pass through.

Oldernotwiser

nanokitten wrote: »

JoolzS, I have to say that I don't agree with you.
In general there are plenty of things which can be done to level the playing field without giving someone a 'free pass'. As blackeberg states there are extra time allowances, also colour filters, screen readers, even personal assistants, masses of ways which can allow someone with dislexia to sit an exam and then carry out their job.
.

It might have been better if the OP had asked about "overcoming" his/her problem, rather than "getting round" the tests. There is a difference, I think.

heather8

There is nothing to stop anyone who wants to achieve in life, and I think the post about you can't being a teacher with dyslexia a disgrace.

My Son has Irlen, which requires the use of special filters. Some people with Dyslexia need these lens too, but some don't. It is important that you get yourself assessed to see how bad your Dyslexia is. You need to contact the Dyslex institute if you haven't done already.

If you are dyslexic, then you will have or should have been statemented at school, and seen an educational pyschologist.

You now need to speak to the Uni about this, as the statement if you have one may be out of date, and you may need to get an up to date one.

My son does not have dyslexia, but he does have problems writing, nd reading as the words on the page dance around. I took hime to a specialist dyslexia teacher, who is serverly dyslexic herself. She managed to get herself a degree in teaching, taught at school for over 15 years and now specialises in helping other children achieve their potential. In just 5 hours she taught my child to write joined up, the school had spent 5 years! She just taught him a different way.

So pls speak to the uni and get the help you need. Schools need people like you to unlock the potenial of all children. You just need more time to help you with the exam. The more teachers that understand Dyslexia and Irlen the better for all of our children. I have been battleing with my school for 5 years to get my son the help he needs and got nowhere. So I had to seek private help. He has now moved up from a level 2b in writing to a 3c in just one half term. As he can now write joined up, and writes longer & more interesting stories. He's in year 5. So he still has a long way to go, before he gets to where he needs to be. In science and maths he is predicated for a level 5 in year 6. So I know he is bright, he just needs to the chance.

The likes of Richard Branson, Jamie Oliver and Steve Redgrave are all Dyslexic. So follow your dream and don't give up on being a teacher.

Google Irlen Institute for details about lens, and Dyslexic Instutite about Dyslexia, tehy are both seperate conditions.

Sorry for the long post