For Students
Information for Further and
Higher Education students with Specific Learning Difficulties
Specific Learning Difficulties is an ‘umbrella’ term, which includes
dyslexia, dyspraxia, dyscalculia, ADHD and specific language impairment.
Do you have specific learning difficulties?
If you answer ‘yes’ to a number of the following questions, you should
contact the Learning and Support Department at your university to enquire about
a possible specific learning difficulties screening interview.
· Do you take longer than you should to read a page of a book?
· Do you find it difficult to remember the sense of what you have just read?
· When saying a long word, do you find it difficult to get all the sounds in the right order?
· Do you find forms difficult and confusing?
· Is your spelling poor?
· Is your writing difficult to read?
· Do you have difficulty copying from a board or Powerpoint presentation?
· Do you have difficulty planning and structuring essays and assignments?
· Would you describe yourself as disorganised and poor at time management?
· Do you have difficulty telling left from right?
· Do you process information slowly compared to your peers?
When studying, specific learning difficulties impact upon the ability to:
· Read accurately
· Read quickly
· Spell
· Plan and structure work
· Sequence words and ideas
· Process text without the need to re-read
· Memorise facts and/or formulae
· Organise written work
· Follow complex instructions
· Take notes
· Organise and plan personal study
· Develop good study skills
· Concentrate and focus on work
· Transfer learning from one situation to another
· Make inference from a text
· Perform well in timed examinations
Arranging
an assessment
Your university may be able to arrange an assessment for you. This usually takes the form of an initial
screening interview with a Disability Officer to discuss the types of
difficulties mentioned above. An
assessment with an Educational Psychologist may then be recommended. Part, or all, of the cost of the assessment
may be funded through sources available to the university.
The
Assessment
Many students have developed
coping strategies to overcome their difficulties and these often work at school
but may collapse under the increased pressure of university life. Educational psychologists are able to
identify what the problems are and to pinpoint strengths which can be used to
enhance your skills. They have the
expertise to help you become an effective learner. The psychologist will use all the information
available to build an understanding of your learning history.
The assessment is likely to include:
· An intelligence test – don’t worry, this is not about ‘passing or failing’. Your performance on a range of items will allow the psychologist to consider your strengths and weaknesses and this may highlight why some styles of study are better for you.
· A literacy assessment – reading, writing and spelling in order to formulate an understanding of your achievements in these areas.
At the end of the assessment, the psychologist will provide you with
feedback and give you an indication of your learning profile.
The
Report
The final report will allow the university to consider any recommendations made by the psychologist. The recommendations include (based on the outcome of the assessment):
· Ensure your tutors are aware of your difficulties
· Advice/tuition to improve study skills and written assignments
· Examination considerations such as extra time
· Access to assistive technologies
· Access to readers/scribes
Disabled
Students’ Allowances (DSAs)
When your specific learning difficulty has been identified you may be
eligible for the DSA. The DSA is a grant
to help you meet the extra costs you will face as a result of a disability, on-going
health condition, mental health condition or specific learning difficulty. Part time post-graduate students may also be
eligible. The grant does not need to be
paid back and can cover the costs associated with assistive technologies, a
reader or a scribe. For more information
about the DSA, what it covers and who is eligible please follow the link to www.direct.gov.uk (link)
Once you are in receipt of a report from an educational Psychologist then an application can DSA can be made. The Disability Officer at your university will assist you with this. Following this, an Assessment of Need then identifies how to improve your academic performance.
Final
year students
As a student’s academic career comes to an end and attention is starting to shift towards future employment, it is common to be reticent about disclosing a specific learning difficulty at application, interview or new position stage. This is understandable, but it may be disadvantageous in the long run. The Equality Act 2010 protects against discrimination at all stages of the recruitment process for those with a specific learning difficulty profile. For more information on the rights of the individual and the obligations of the employer, follow the link to our sister company www.kadeconsultancy.com/students
Assistive
technologies
There are many applications available to assist you in your
studies. Below are just a few examples
of what is out there. However, the best
people to advise you are the learning support staff at your university
Text to Speech – An example of which, and one of many, is Microsoft’s
‘NaturalReader’. Select text and the
application will read it back. Especially good when a lot of reading is required. Lecture notes can be listened to instead of
read. Very good for reading back essays
to assist with proof-reading and context.
Speech to text – An invaluable tool if writing essays is
challenging. The software converts the
audio into text enabling the speaker to get all their ideas on to the page. There are many out there – ‘Dragon Dictate’
being but one. Ask your learning support
department for their recommendations.
Readable – An excellent tool for those that find web browsing stressful on the eyes and can be useful for the visually impaired http://readable.tastefulwords.com
Organisational tools – Planning is an important part of student life and
a skill that is particularly hard for those with a specific learning
difficulty. Technology in this area is
developing by the day and there are plenty of free apps for your mobile and/or
PC that can help you prioritise and diarise. Your learning support department will be able to advise which
applications are suitable.