Dyslexia

mows

I don't know what education stage you're at, or whether you're at school,college or uni, but do know that usually you can be referred to an educational psychologist or specialist dyslexia teacher - normally through student services or equivalent. If you're not part of an educational establishment then normally anywhere offering adult literacy or numeracy classes (often local colleges) will be able to refer you to someone who is trained to diagnose a variety of learning difficulties (dyslexia, dyspraxia etc etc). Once you've obtained a diagnosis, quite often unis, colleges etc will provide additional support for exams - for example extra time, or use of a computer rather than having to write by hand.
My brother is very badly dyslexic, and has trouble with maths if he has to write them down, as get confused between left and right, so may add things in the wrong sequence or similar, although has no problem grasping the concepts.
Even if you're not diagnosed dyslexic, often colleges and unis will make extra provision if you have particular difficulties which mitigate against good exam performance...
Hope that helps, and best of luck...mows

Zziggi

jazzyjustlaw wrote:

I want to know how about getting assessed for dyslexia. Although I am academic I struggle with exams and although I do get some high marks its not easy. I have never got a mark above E for GCSE maths and in lessons were fine. Conversely I am brilliant at spelling. Does this mean I might not be dyslexic.

If numbers are a problem more than spelling i think it is called "discalculor". My cousin was "diagnosed" with this at secondary school and got additional help with Maths.

It depends on your age about how you would get ''diagnosed''. If you were school age then this can be arranged through a school. If you are 16+ then this might be more tricky. I was ''diagnosed'' when i was 17 (in full-time FE) when a teacher commented to me about my spelling (11 years of schooling and no-one had said a dicky-bird!). This was 1992 so things may have changed. As i was 16+ i had to go via my GP (for some reason) he referred me to a clinical psychologist (not an educational psy) who did the dyslexia tests and said i had it and a reading age of an 11 year old (which i found very embarrassing). I went on to higher education and took further exams. Every 3 years i had to have the dyslexia test re-done for exam boards to accept the dyslexia statement so i got extra time in formal exams. Later on this was done free through the adult education dept. where i was taking the exams. So i suppose the way of getting tested depends. If you are post 16, are you in FE/HE? taking adult education courses? if so maybe approach them as they may find ways of getting you tested through them (and probably for free). I believe there are dyslexia institutes who will do testing but at a cost.

BTW dyslexia does not make you thick. I had a real hang up when i saw written in black and white my reading age was an 11 year old. However it is the difference between your reading ability and your oral ability which is a good indicator of dyslexia.

jazzyjustlaw

I am 33 and I have a Business Law Degree. I am currently about to take my level 6 Ilex (i.e. to be a Legal Exec) as I could not afford the LPC to become a Solicitor so aim to be a Legal Exec for 5 years and save money to do LPC.

I get by with exams but I do well in assigments and in class but really badly in exams - I always have been. I did really well in RSA Numeracy got 80% but couldnt get above an E in GCSE Maths so I dont understand. I really get distressed about it. The harder I try the worse I become. At school I was in set two for maths after every exam they put me in the bottom set which was 5 and then after a week put me back up to set two as I was clever in class but crap in exams. I feel so distressed about it I feel like i hate myself. I want to do better.

elisebutt65

That's me to a 'T'!!! Been doing a degree for Marketing Mgt - Yr 2 starts soon, but previously did Yr1 of the HND - Got Student of the Yr award for it - Yeay!!!

However - my exams always let me down - big time!! I get A's or Distinctions on the classwork and assignments but B's max on the exams - it's like my brain can't hold in the information!!! I find revising a real struggle as well - I can only do 20 mins at a time before i have to go and do something to let my brain let off steam - IYKWIM?

Thing is with a 'vocational' subject - ie - you have to relate the studies to the real world - why exams??? I bet I never use the theory when I'm out in the world of work - isn't knowing how to do the job enough????

Prudent

A full assessment for Dyslexia can cost around £300. The British Dyslexia association has a checklist on their website that might help you assess whether you are likely to be dyslexic. See: http://www.bda-dyslexia.org.uk/

jazzyjustlaw

Prudent wrote:

A full assessment for Dyslexia can cost around £300. The British Dyslexia association has a checklist on their website that might help you assess whether you are likely to be dyslexic. See: http://www.bda-dyslexia.org.uk/

Thanks, I did the checklist and ticked yes to 9 but only 4 were on the 12 important. I think I am dyslexic but i am not sure about paying £330.00 which is what I have been quoted. I think that is a lot of money. I do to mind paying to find out but that seems a lot to me and then what? I do not see how anyone can help me.

Prudent

I agree it is a large amount of money.
If you are taking exams you may get help, extra time or additional marks allowance if you are dyslexic. It may also mean that when a course makes entry requirements they take into account you have specific difficulties that do not reflect your overall abilty.
I live in Scotland and there can be a fair bit of regional variation in provisions for testing for dyslexia, so can't really help with your local situation.

Be aware also that not everyone will take on board the recommendations that come out of privately done assessments.

I am certain my own daughter is dyslexic. I am a teacher of special needs and have done all the screening tesing with her. I am having a long and frustrating time getting the LEA to agree to get an assessment done. I suggested to them I would get it done privately and they refused to recognise private testing. However fortunately new legistation is just kicking in here and they can no longer refuse to get an assessment done themselves.

NixNoo

Anyone know of a good chat room for adults with dyslexia? Been searching and can't seem to find much.

Thanks in advance.
Nix

kindanice

Have you tried https://www.beingdyslexic.co.uk? They have a forum on there.

HTH

NixNoo

Thanks Kindanice - you are as your username suggests!