Dyspraxia
While most people have heard of dyslexia, fewer have heard of dyspraxia. Dyspraxia is a difficulty with motor learning that can affect aspects of study like time management, structuring work and handwriting. It is sometimes found along with dyslexia, or a student may have just one or the other.
If you think you may be dyspraxic, book an appointment to see a Study Adviser. We can advise you on assessment and study strategies.
- What is dyspraxia?
- How might it affect my studies?
- Are there strategies that can help?
- Info for new students with dyspraxia
Click here for a brief printable guide on this topic (this is designed to be printed double-sided on A4 paper, then folded to make an A5 leaflet).
What is dyspraxia?
Dyspraxia is a motor learning difficulty that can affect planning of movements and co-ordination as a result of brain messages not being accurately transmitted to the body (NHS Direct, 2008). People with dyspraxia may also have problems with language and spatial and time perception.
How might this affect my studies?
Being dyspraxic has nothing to do with your intelligence and ability to think. Having dyspraxia will not stop you from getting a good degree but you are likely to have to work harder than other students and will probably need to develop your time management skills.
When you first arrive at university you may find adjusting to new routines very difficult and discouraging.Most students find that the first few weeks are the most challenging and that being organised becomes easier as they get used to all the different ways of doing things and develop routines.
You may have also have difficulties with:
- Getting to lectures and appointments on time
- Organising your lecture notes, structuring coursework and meeting deadlines
- Slow writing in lectures
- Expressing your ideas in seminars and in oral presentations
- Practical work
Are there strategies that can help?
It will help if you can make sure your study practices are as effective as possible. Come to our Effective Study Practice workshops to learn how to study more effectively.
Thinking ahead about ways to manage your time is a good idea. Use the information on Managing your time on the study advice website to work out new strategies and approaches. Or see the LearnHigher website on Time Management for University Students.
You should be able to collect a free year planner from your department. Use this to give you an overview of your weekly timetable and of long term deadlines.
The Study Advisers are happy to see you for one to one sessions to help you to develop strategies for organisation and time management that would work for you.
New students with dyspraxia
If you have been assessed as having dyspraxia 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 Office.
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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, with a Study Adviser.
If you think you may have dyspraxia but have not yet been assessed
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Book an appointment to discuss this with one of the University Study Advisers.
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 from the Disability Advisory Service.
Dyslexia/dyspraxia meetings for Freshers
The Study Advisers run two meetings in Freshers' Week where you can ask any questions you might have about dyspraxia 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 dyspraxic but have not been tested
After Freshers' Week, if you have any questions, the best thing to do is to with a Study Adviser.
Note: If you attend one, you will not need to attend the other as the same information will be available at both.
Extra equipment or support and the Disabled Students' Allowance
- Most students with dyslexia or dyspraxia 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 Office, who can help you with the application process. More details.
For more on this topic, see...
BRAINinHE - comprehensive website on specific learning difficulties with detailed definitions.
Dyspraxia Foundation - supports individuals affected by dyspraxia.
Definition of dyspraxia - medical definition from NHS Direct.