Dyslexia

Bigguy201_2

studentphil wrote: »

It is striking how much help dyslexics get compared to other disabled people at universities.

If you get your dyslexia comfirmed then you are talking about 6-12 weeks for the DSA process to get sorted.

phil I could not agree with you more on that one, it really angers me so much when they class me as 'disabed' as I am nothing of the sort. I will say it again 'DYSLEXIA IS NOT A DISABILITY' and the people in power should really re-think how they approach this subject. I know alot of people who have dyslexia and some get really depressed to think they are disabled when there not. I been trying to make them aware of this issue at my university, but sadly thay are just focused on the day to day. I think we should set up and action group or something. I always wanted to be successful one day just to tell everyone 'guess what i am dyslexic' just like richard branson.

dook_2

I was diagnosed dyslexic just before xmas. Just got all my equipment through and it helps so much!
I completely agree with the dyslexia=disabled thing. When the tester told me I was dyslexic I was like 'NO. I'm NOT.' And that was due to the link with being disabled and having to go through 'diasability assist' for all the help, it feels very stigmatising.
Definately have the test, it tells you a lot about your learning style also which is helpful info even if you're not diagnosed with anything.
Freebie Junkie, do you mind me asking why you are not allowed to drive? Is it due to the dyspraxia? I'm intrigued, hope you don't mind me asking.

freebie_junkie

dook wrote: »

I was diagnosed dyslexic just before xmas. Just got all my equipment through and it helps so much!
I completely agree with the dyslexia=disabled thing. When the tester told me I was dyslexic I was like 'NO. I'm NOT.' And that was due to the link with being disabled and having to go through 'diasability assist' for all the help, it feels very stigmatising.
Definately have the test, it tells you a lot about your learning style also which is helpful info even if you're not diagnosed with anything.
Freebie Junkie, do you mind me asking why you are not allowed to drive? Is it due to the dyspraxia? I'm intrigued, hope you don't mind me asking.

my diagnosis is dyslexia/dyspraxia the dyspraxia makes me have almost no co-ordination or spatical awareness so i cant catch a ball, im full of bruises from walking into the side of my bed, doorways etc. and i cant drive. before i was diagnosed i went through £600 of BSM lessons and didnt even learn how to turn left properly (was either into teh other lane or so close to the curb the car stopped!) and once me and my instructor were nearly gonners when i hit a curb on a natiopnal speed limit road and teh car went into teh other lane! once i got my diagnosis it all fell into place!

This is from the Dyspraxia Foundation website ''To be able to steer a car, concentrate, judge distance, use both hands and feet together and remember how to carry out a sequence of tasks all at the same time is very daunting. It is hardly surprising that many of us who have dyspraxia decide that driving a car is beyond our capabilities.''

i have a different experience of being diagnosed, i wanted the diagnosis as i was fed up of my tutors saying 'why cant you spell?' and not having any reasons for the fact that my hands go togther to catch a ball way after its either hit me in the face or landed at my feet! its not seen as a disability on my course neither is my OCD which is the other thing i get DSA for becuse its a creative course and the tutors understand the benefits. i have people in my scriptwriting classes who cant write a play without literally getting four people getting them to say dialogue and move around and then write that down, all that is done in my head instead (and most people say theyd love a bit of OCD at dissatation time too!)

Firehorse

Both Phil and Junkie have valid points re course choice. What I would say is that, yes if you REALLY struggle with large quantities of reading, perhaps it should be a consideration. However, the course you choose has to be of personal interest. My degree is in law, and I do struggle with the quantity of reading at times, but that is more because I'm a non-campus student with four dependents who is pushed for time, rather than the fact that I can't do it.

As for being classed disabled and this really annoyed me recently. Looking at Local Council application forms, offering to help applicants with disabilities etc. Listed was dyslexia. I am really sorry, but I do not consider myself incapable of successfully performing at my chosen career because it takes me a little longer to read something. I appreciate that with all things there are different degrees, and it does depend on the employment type.

Some employers actively seek out dyslexics because we think "outside the box" and have natural creativity, like junkie.

studentphil

Firehorse wrote: »

Both Phil and Junkie have valid points re course choice. What I would say is that, yes if you REALLY struggle with large quantities of reading, perhaps it should be a consideration. However, the course you choose has to be of personal interest. My degree is in law, and I do struggle with the quantity of reading at times, but that is more because I'm a non-campus student with four dependents who is pushed for time, rather than the fact that I can't do it.

As for being classed disabled and this really annoyed me recently. Looking at Local Council application forms, offering to help applicants with disabilities etc. Listed was dyslexia. I am really sorry, but I do not consider myself incapable of successfully performing at my chosen career because it takes me a little longer to read something. I appreciate that with all things there are different degrees, and it does depend on the employment type.

Some employers actively seek out dyslexics because we think "outside the box" and have natural creativity, like junkie.

Just look at it as another difference then rather than a disability. Just as some people are different heights you have a different way of thinking to some people.

You do have to admit that our world is "left brain strong" in terms of it depends on high Literacy skills. So there are a lot of issues there for dyslexics.

freebie_junkie

studentphil wrote: »

Just look at it as another difference then rather than a disability. Just as some people are different heights you have a different way of thinking to some people.

You do have to admit that our world is "left brain strong" in terms of it depends on high Literacy skills. So there are a lot of issues there for dyslexics.

it depends on how you define disability, some people would see my menatl health problem as a disability but i dont, i prrefer to utilise its positive aspects. if i had wanted to i could have sat at home on IB forever but i decided that i wanted to finish my degree and becoem a teacher and i am gonna do it!

penguin_queen

Don't ever give up !! My friend and i are in 1st year at uni and we're the only ones in our class who are under student support.- she does fantastic essays and i read thro them and correct the grammar and spelling for her. In exchange, she gives me pointers when i get stuck writing.

We both give each other as much support as we can and neither of us think of ourselves as disabled (i'm entirely deaf in one ear and have lowered hearing in the other).

Student support gives us both extra time and the use of a computer, and she gets money each month for an english tutor (i got a digital hearing aid !! well funky- i can hear in lectures !!)

Seriously- it's not a disability, just something you have to accept you do differently than other people. Go to student support- they're great and will help you all they can.

Hope everything works out well for you hon !!!

smileitconfusespeople_2

richt71 wrote: »

You can get checked for it. I struggled at school for years until I was 14 when they realised I had dyslexica in both words and numbers. I'm sure they can support you if this is the case!

:j :beer: :T Hi i was so happy when i read this as for aslong as i can remember i have had difficulty with left and right, ie right uptill i was just about to go to secondary school I used t put my shoes on wrong and numbers were just a blur i mean i was really ok Still am bad at maths even basic maths as numbers dont comput and if Im Streassed then forget it ,:mad: I cant even remember my date of Birth (i get it back to front or my telephone number, when i had a accident a little while back i couldnt even ring home coz i couldnt remember my telephone number well the numbers , Money for me was awful even now thank god the tills tell u the change , dont get me wrong i had good schooling and obtained good o levels just not maths i got 10% that was CSE??! and also was never good at school sports as for catching the ball it would just land at my feet and as for hitting it well......:rolleyes: It took me 6 attempts:eek: on my driving test as the driver would say on your next left take the third right ..:eek: Even when i havent driven for a little while it takes me a little while to remember which side of the road to drive on........;) but having said that i have driven for 13years without a accident, i just cant talk and drive or have any distractions going on the kids dont talk when Mummy drives ..for years people have laughed at me and I thought i was the only one ......there must be loads of us :cool: