I know we have a lot of really helpful academics on Mumsnet, and I wondered if perhaps this might be a good place to think about dyslexics studying at unversity.
My DS has just graduated, with a low 2.2 in a science subject. Over his 3 years his results varied enormously, from 81% in coursework to 38% in all too many exams. He was very disappointed as he had worked and revised hard (I saw him revise, and this is not an exaggeration) and was thinking of doing a masters. I oscillate between feeling sorry that he didn't do himself justice, and delight that he has a degree at all, given that it certainly wasn't a level playing field for him.
He is one of those dyslexics where the level of his dyslexia is masked by high ability, so he just comes across as someone who is flukey and possibly lazy and not as engaged as he might be. [Never had any help in secondary school. I remember his A level chemistry teacher saying he was brilliant in class but so lazy in his homework, so badly presented, typical lazy boy, and was quite surprised that dyslexia might have something to do with this.]
Looking back I can see all kinds of things that would perhaps have made a difference (although maybe not since he has low self esteem after being battered about by failure since late infants, and in general would not dream that he is worth helping: putting himself forward and asking for help is almost completely impossible). So in case anyone else is in this situation, here is what I think would have helped, ranging from individual, to institutional, to national.
- A mentor set up in advance of arrival, with an initial meeting date fixed and not presented as optional (DS has never discussed the effect of his dyslexia with any educator, but has attended every scheduled lecture, lab etc except about 5 over 3 years when sick)
- Some system in the department that looks at the range of people's results and picks up those which fluctuate so dramatically - typical of dyslexia - so that some kind of intervention is triggered. Again, many dyslexics will not go for help, just assume that they are stupid. So the intervention need not generate much more work for the academic, but would pick up those students whose lack of self-belief means they would never go and see a tutor. Any help in working out what went wrong with 2nd year exams (2 resits) might have helped avoid really bad 3rd year exams.
- Some kind of a study to see if dyslexics actually achieve their potential at university. Student Finance England etc know who they are, as they provide IT help in the form of laptops etc. Universities know who they are, as they have extra time in exams. It shouldn't be too hard to get the data. [If one exists, I haven't been able to find it.]
- All you ever get on the web and dyslexia books are wonder stories of dyslexics getting fantastic degrees at Harvard etc. Not everyone will. I have a nasty feelig most will not do as well as they could.
I'd love to hear any views on this whole subject.