Dyslexia
.Specific learning difficulties like dyslexia are more common than many people realise - for instance, the British Dyslexia Association have estimated that 1 in 10 of the population have some degree of dyslexia. At the University of Reading there are at least 700 students who know they have dyslexia and many more who have it but do not yet know.
Students with dyslexia can achieve good degree results, but will need to develop strategies to deal with the demands of Higher Education. The Study Advice team carries out assessments for dyslexia and provides support in developing your learning strategies. Contact us if:
- you have already been diagnosed with dyslexia and would like to speak to a Study Adviser about effective practices at university
- you think you may be dyslexic and would like to discuss a possible assessment
Print a copy of our brief guide (this is designed to be printed double-sided on A4 paper, then folded to make an A5 leaflet).
- What is dyslexia?
- How does it affect your studies?
- Strategies that can help
- Info for new students with dyslexia
What is dyslexia?
Dyslexia is a difficulty with written language: reading, writing and spelling. People with dyslexia may also have problems with organisation, memory and with spoken language.
BRAINinHE (2007) suggests that:
The word 'dyslexic' is used to identify a person who has a recognisable kind of brain. This is not simply about spelling difficulties, or not being able to read and write fluently. It is a preference for certain ways of processing information, and has nothing to do with intelligence.
Half of the 850 students at Reading who are dyslexic (one person in 20), did not find out until they reached University. Bright individuals can often develop strategies which help them to cope with the reading, spelling and writing needed at school. When students reach university different study practices are needed and many individuals with dyslexia who have managed well at school or on access courses begin to have difficulties. Dyslexic students often struggle with expressing their ideas clearly in writing, with keeping up with the reading and with working rapidly.
If you are having problems with communicating your ideas in writing you might like to talk to a Study Adviser about whether an assessment for dyslexia would be appropriate.
How does it affect your studies?
Being dyslexic has nothing to do with your intelligence and ability to think; it only means your reading, writing and spelling are not as good as would be expected for someone of your general ability. Having dyslexia will not stop you from getting a good degree but you are likely to have to work harder than other students.
Everyone is different but most people with dyslexia are likely to have difficulties with some of the following:
| Reading | Spelling | Writing | Speed of processing information |
| Organisational skills | Short-term memory | Motor co-ordination | Numeracy |
In terms of your studies, this may mean, for instance,that you:
- take longer to complete reading
- fail to notice spelling errors
- find it difficult to structure your arguments
- find it difficult to take notes while listening to lectures
Strengths of people with dyslexia
Having dyslexia may give some advantages over people with conventional ways of working. For example, if you have dyslexia then you haveprobably achieved your place at university in competition with people who do not have dyslexia. Therefore, you are likely to have particular strengths which help you to achieve good grades.
Students with dyslexia often have some of these strengths:
Innovative thinking
Solve problems in original ways
Creative in many different ways
Make original connections
Work harder than their friends
These are qualities which are particularly valued at university. However, you may find some support helpful (especially in the first year) to adapt your way of working to fit in with the expectations of your tutors.
"Will I have to tell other people?"
All assessments and advice sessions are confidential. You will need to give permission for us to tell your department if you would like to take up your special provisions. This will not appear on your degree certificate.
Strategies that may help
Talking to a Study Adviser can help you to work out strategies for making the best use of your time; for example by developing your note taking, reading and essay and report writing. Some techniques which may help are:
- making notes in a more visual way e.g. on a spider diagram
- recording information and playing it back
- discussing ideas verbally before writing them down
- breaking work down into individual tasks
- thinking about outcomes before you start reading
- alternating modes of study (between reading and writing)
- using coloured overlays when reading
- using effective proof reading techniques
Different things work well for different people, so it is always a good idea to see a Study Adviser to discuss specific strategies that might work for you.
"What support will the university give?"
Study Advisers are there to advise all students in developing their academic practices. Many students with dyslexia also receive support from a specialist Dyslexia Tutor. For more information about support, contact the Disability Advisory Service.
Students with dyslexia receive extra time in examinations. They usually receive stickers for exams and coursework which require the marker not to penalise for poor spelling and grammar or for poorly expressed sentences. These stickers are available from the Disability Representative in your school.
New students with dyslexia
If you have been assessed as having dyslexia before starting your course at Reading:
- send a copy of your most recent full assessment by a psychologist (NOT an Access report) to the Disability Advisory Service.
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contact the Disability Representative in your School to collect labels for your coursework. List of Disability Representatives
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if you wish to discuss special provisions or strategies for study, to see a Study Adviser.
The Study Advisers run two meetings in Freshers' Week (the dates are on your Freshers week timetable) where you can ask any questions you might have about dyslexia at university, including:
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how it can affect your studies
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strategies that may help
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how to get an assessment if you think you may be dyslexic but have not been tested
After Freshers' Week, if you would like to discuss anything to do with dyslexia, to see a Study Adviser.
Extra equipment or support and the disabled students' allowance
- Most students with dyslexia are entitled to support from their Local Authority under the Disabled Students Allowance, to pay for specialist equipment such as computers, specialist software and Dictaphones. Sometimes one–to-one tuition can also be funded.
- If you have not already applied for the Disabled Students Allowance, please contact the Disability Advisory Service, who can help you with the application process.
If you are concerned that you may have dyslexia but have not yet been assessed:
- Book an appointment to discuss this with a member of the Study Advice team.
If you are concerned that you may have Asperger Syndrome but have not yet been assessed:
- Make an appointment to discuss this with annabel.avery@reading.ac.uk or k.a.french@reading.ac.uk at the Disability Advisory Service.
For more on this topic, see...
Adult Dyslexia Access - a really useful site with targeted advice for students in higher education.
BRAINinHE - a comprehensive resource on dyslexia and other specific learning difficulties at university. Includes a detailed definition.
British Dyslexia Association - information and advice on dyslexia.