DYSLEXIA: a handbook for students

University contacts Disability and Dyslexia Service Opening times: 9am - 4.30pm Mon to Fri (6.30pm on Tues during term time) Tel: 01895 265213 Location: Rm 315, Bannerman Centre Email: [email protected] The Academic Skills Service (ASK) See website for details. Location: Ground floor of the library Email: [email protected] Library Opening times: See website for details Tel: 01895 266154 Location: Bannerman Centre Email: [email protected] Assistive Technology Centre Opening times: 9am-10.30pm Mon –Fri, 12-5pm Sat, 12-7pm Sun Tel: 01895 266348 Location: Rm 313, Bannerman Centre Email: [email protected] West London Assessment Centre Opening times: 9am - 4.30pm Mon to Fri Tel: 01895 266704 Location: Rm 313 Bannerman Centre Email: [email protected] Placement & Careers Centre Opening times: 9am - 4.45pm Mon to Fri Tel: 01895 266840 Location: 1st Floor Bannerman Centre Email: [email protected]

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Contents What is dyslexia?

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How do I get support?

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What support can I get?

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Study skills support

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Frequently Asked Questions

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Glossary of terms

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Further contacts

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What is dyslexia? Dyslexia is a specific learning difficulty (SpLD), a term given to a range of conditions also including dyspraxia, dyscalculia, dysgraphia and attention deficit disorder. These conditions often overlap but dyslexia is the most common. Most people with dyslexia will have struggled with reading and writing at school. This is because they find it difficult to break words down into individual sounds, and to remember sounds in the right order. They also find it difficult to find the right sound for a letter, and vice versa. It is a lifelong condition, and for most adults with dyslexia, reading, spelling and writing are not automatic. Speaking and organisational skills are also sometimes affected. Dyslexia runs in families and is thought to affect between 5-10% of the population. All people with dyslexia have strengths and many have amazing talents. Dyslexia is not related to intelligence. There is nothing ‘wrong’ with a dyslexic brain – it simply learns and thinks in a different way. There are two sides to the brain – a left and a right hemisphere. The left side is better at reading, writing, maths, logic, details, lists etc - while the right side is better at art, colour, intuitive ideas, creative and practical tasks, and seeing the ‘big picture’. People with dyslexia tend to be right brain thinkers.

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How do I get support? Step 1: Screening Unless you have a full dyslexia report, dated after the age of 16, the first step is to see an adviser for a ‘screening’ appointment. If you do have an up to date report, go straight to step 3. Screening will take about an hour and if the adviser thinks you might be dyslexic, they will refer you for a diagnostic assessment. At this time the adviser may recommend some support – for example, extended library loans. If the screening does not show signs of dyslexia, help can be provided by the university’s Academic Skills Service (ASK). Step2: Diagnostic Assessment A diagnostic assessment takes about three hours and includes a discussion about your education, health, family history as well as a number of tests. After about 2 weeks, you’ll receive a report which will give a diagnosis, describe your strengths and weaknesses and make some recommendations for support. Step 3: What next? Once you receive your report you should make an appointment with an adviser who will talk it through and help you apply for Disabled Students’ Allowances (if applicable). The adviser may also record some recommendations for support on a Support Profile, which is then sent, with your permission, to your academic school and passed on to your lecturers and anyone else who needs to know. Step 4: Disabled Students’ Allowances (DSAs) As a dyslexic student you can apply for DSAs to cover the cost of any support you require. This may include:  computer/laptop  software  study skills tuition  printer, scanner, recording device, spellchecker  readers, scribes, note-takers, proof readers  software/hardware training  book, photocopying and consumables allowances

DSAs come from your funding body (usually Student Finance England or the NHS) and do not need to be paid back. If you would like assistance with applying for DSAs, please get in touch.

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Step 5: Needs Assessment If your DSA application is approved, you will be asked to have a needs assessment to work out, in detail, exactly what support you need and how much it’ll cost. The assessment lasts about 2 hours and takes place at an assessment centre such as the West London Assessment Centre, based at Brunel. Step 6: The Needs Assessment Report You’ll then be sent a report which will also be sent to your funding body for approval. Once you receive this, you should get in touch with us to discuss the recommendations and get help with ordering equipment and putting support in place remember, we won’t arrange any support without discussing it with you first.

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What support can I get? Assistive Technology The Assistive Technology Cente (ATC) provides a range of equipment that can make studying easier for people with dyslexia. Equipment:  mind-mapping software  text to speech software  voice recognition software  portable note-taking devices  recorders to record lectures  networked PCs, printing, photocopying and scanning facilities  a range of equipment to loan to students. In the ATC, help is at hand if you want to learn more about the different types of assistive technology - you can either drop-in to try things out, or make an appointment. Exam Arrangements If you are recommended support for exams you will need to contact the Disability and Dyslexia Service (DDS). Support may include:  extra time and/or rest breaks  exam support worker (usually a scribe or reader)  use of a computer  use of an individual room It is strongly recommended that you contact your academic school one month before your exams to check arrangements are in place. Library Support The following services can be provided by the library:  Extended loans: you can have the loan period for borrowing some books extended  Mediated photocopying: request items for photocopying and collect the following day  Book fetching: submit requests for books online and collect them the following day  Borrowing non-loan items: in exceptional circumstances you can even borrow some reference books  coloured photocopying paper: coloured paper can be provided.

For library contact details seepage 2.

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Support on Placement Help is also available on placement. You can discuss what support you may need, as well as whether you wish to disclose your dyslexia or not. This is up to you but do remember that if people don’t know, they can’t support you. We can advise on when to ‘disclose’ - on the application form, medical questionnaire, the equal opportunities form, in a covering letter, before or at the interview. We can also help you describe your dyslexia in a positive way, highlighting what your dyslexia has taught you and focusing on your strengths, experience and skills. Support that could be available on placement includes:  pre-placement visits  use of assistive technology  guidance on managing your workload  spoken rather than written instructions  templates for report writing  extra time to read reports  a ‘proof-reader’ for checking important documents.

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Study skills support Study skills tutors provide specialist one-to-one study support. They work with students to help them develop strategies for their studies. Study skills sessions include: Strategies to develop skills in:  Planning assignments  Spelling and grammar  Reading and note-taking  Preparation of presentations  Revision and exam techniques  Time management and organisation  Numeracy In addition, tutors may help with developing motivation, concentration and selfesteem. Study skills sessions do not include:  Subject-specific support  Proof reading  Correction of essay and assignment content  Counselling. How can I make the most of sessions? Be very clear what you want to achieve by the end of the session. Take an active part in your own learning.  Bring all relevant materials with you (e.g. assignment briefs, feedback etc).  Bring your diary to every session.  

You can also work on developing your own independent study strategies. Some suggestions can be found in the list below.

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Study tips for dyslexic students 

Use your creative mind to the maximum. Use colour and labelling to identify key points. Separate sections of information into different subject areas.

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Use highlighters, coloured stickers, paper, dividers and page markers etc.

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Colour code your timetable so you can see at a glance what subjects you have each day.

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Make a wall chart to show assignment deadlines. Then you can plan specific times to work on tasks.

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Use mind maps and spider diagrams to set out your work. They can be used for planning essays, summarising notes, seeing where your work fits into the module as a whole, and for revision.

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Make good use of extended library loans. The Disability and Dyslexia Service can arrange these for you.

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Try to be organised. Use labelled and colour coded box and lever arch files and filing trays. Sort your notes and handouts into subject areas and modules.

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Remember to date all of your written notes and add the module title and lecturer.

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Have different files and shelf/table areas for different subjects so you can find all you need easily.

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Frequently Asked Questions Should I be worried about being labelled as ‘dyslexic’? When you are diagnosed with dyslexia, it is important to remember that the diagnosis is confidential and is not shared with anyone outside the Disability and Dyslexia Service without your permission. It is also worth remembering that the diagnosis simply gives a name to difficulties you’re already aware of. Nothing has changed and you have earned your place at university regardless. What’s the point of having a diagnostic assessment? A diagnostic assessment provides you with an official diagnosis of dyslexia or other SpLD. This can then be used to apply for DSAs and other support such as extra time for exams. Additionally, it describes your areas of strengths and weaknesses so that you can better understand how you learn and what strategies work best for you. Will my degree certificate indicate that I have dyslexia or received extra time in exams? No, degree certificates are the same for all students regardless of disability or support received. Can I get extensions for my assignments? No, university policy does not allow extensions to be given for assignments unless there are mitigating circumstances. If there is anything that prevents you from submitting work on time, you should contact your academic school to discuss the situation. Is having dyslexia a mitigating circumstance? No, but if you have any problems with accessing the recommended support then this may be a mitigating circumstance and you should contact the Disability and Dyslexia Service.

Can students indicate their dyslexia on exam papers? No, at Brunel all exams and assessments are marked anonymously.No indication is given that a student has dyslexia or any other disability. The university is committed to ensuring that all students receive the appropriate support throughout their course and during exams to ensure they are able to work to the best of their academic ability.

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How long will it take for me to get my DSA? It varies. We can help you through the process but you need to respond to funding body letters as quickly as you can. Leaving letters unread will make the process longer. While you’re waiting, some support can be arranged –such as equipment loans, extra time in exams and extended library loans. Will the DSA pay towards my tuition fees or living costs? No, the DSA will only fund additional costs that a student has as a direct result of being disabled.

Who can I contact for more information? The Disability and Dyslexia Service – see contact details at the top of this document.

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Glossary of terms Assistive technology - computer software and hardware which helps support your study needs. Consent - letting us tell others about your dyslexia so they can support you. Diagnostic assessment - a formal assessment carried out by a psychologist or specialist teacher that provides a diagnosis of a specific learning difficulty. Disclosure – telling other people about your dyslexia. DSA - Disabled Students’ Allowances – funding which helps to pay for the extra support you need on your course as a direct result of your dyslexia. Academic Skills Service (ASK) - offers students support with essay writing, time management, presentation skills, and statistics. Mitigating circumstances – any difficulties or unforeseen events that may have affected coursework/exams. Needs assessment - a formal assessment to decide what technology and support you might need at university. Reader - a person who reads the questions aloud in an exam. A reader can also read back what you have written. Screening - an informal discussion to decide if a diagnostic assessment is needed. Scribe/ amanuensis - a person who writes or types what you dictate in an exam. Support Profile - document used by the Disability and Dyslexia Service to inform your academic school of your recommended support.

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Further contacts Abilitynet (information on dyslexia and technology) Tel: 0800 269545 Email: [email protected] Web: www.abilitynet.co.uk

Study Skills for Students with Dyslexia (University of Sheffield) Web: http://dyslexstudyskillsgroup.shef.ac. uk

Adult Dyslexia Association Web: www.adult-dyslexia.org

Technology for dyslexia Web: www.dyslexic.com/

Being Dyslexic www.beingdyslexic.co.uk

Using English for Academic Purposes - a guide for students in Higher Education (University of Hertfordshire) Web: www.uefap.com/writing

British Dyslexia Association Tel: 0118 966 827 Email: [email protected] Web: www.bdadyslexia.org.uk Dyslexia at College Web: www.dyslexia-college.com Dyslexia A 2 Z Web: www.dyslexiaa2z.com Dyspraxia Foundation Tel: 01462 454986 Web: www.dyspraxiafoundation.org.uk

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in their own words... “I have dyslexia and having the one to one support has ensured that I didn't throw all my books out the window and actually wanted to stay on the course. My first year, which I have completed, was a lot more reading and written work than I had ever attempted before. The tutor assisted me by listening to my difficulties and helping me to keep grounded and focused on the work with various study aid techniques.” Jenny, Occupational Therapy “The Dyslexia and Disability Service have been fantastic, they supported me through the system of applying for funding to be tested for a specific learning difficulty and pushed me to follow through on my assessment. Upon receiving my formal diagnosis of dyslexia they prompted and guided me to apply for DSA. This has meant I am able to meet regularly with a study skills tutor who has helped me to understand language construction and to develop my written skills.” Eleanor, Occupational Therapy

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