GCSEs 2018 (18) Well that's all over, let's get the party started

DD1 not dyslexia either but we did need a report but, whereas for the initial diagnosis I was willing to pay a large sum for a top recommendation and full (2 day) assessment, for the DSA we went for the brief low budget option around £300 I think. And the rewards in terms of tech support mentoring and exam con sessions more than outwaybthat cost. The support once approved is in place for the full 4 years of her course too.

If Stickerrocks is reading this morning (might already be at work) good luck with your students, their mock and their results from previous exam

More info about DSA here, including evidence needed

Our Ed Psych report was 3 years ago. Perhaps the cost differential is a geography thing. She provided a very thorough meticulous report. I did remember thinking at the time that this was not an option for those on low incomes

I am wondering if the software packages that TheThird has mentioned might be a worthwhile investment now, rather than wait until University

Ed Psych report for DSA quoted as £350 here

Perhaps someone with more knowledge about dyslexia & DSA will know whether you can claim the cost of that back?

Sorry, TheThird, I was assuming dyslexia.

The £200 is towards the cost of the laptop. He was not asked to pay a contribution towards the cost of the other stuff provided (software, mentoring)

That's the quote I got for DS (six years ago). Maybe the Ed Psych that I was recommended was just expensive. She was booked up 6 months in advance. So, presumably, there was a long queue of people willing to pay that.

does than mean get Ed Psych report?

I don't know the answer to this as DS1 doesn't have dyslexia. His DSA package was for a long-term health condition and all we needed to provide was a letter from the GP stating that his condition was long-term and that it affects his ability to study (e.g. he was meant to take 11 GCSEs and had to drop down to 8)

I don't think our Ed Psych report cost that. Perhaps half of that

Obtain evidence from professional. does than mean get Ed Psych report? (and that costs c. £1500?)

SFE = Student Finance England (different organisation if you live elsewhere)

@whistl

The DSA process is as follows. We had to break it down into very clear steps for DS1. I've added the stuff in brackets before posting here.

Apply via SFE.
Obtain evidence from professional.
Email evidence to SFE.
Await confirmation of eligibility.
Make appt for needs assessment.
Await report & approval from SFE.
Research laptops for upgrade (optional)
Email supplier for upgrade quote (optional).
Pay excess amount to supplier (£200 if no upgrade).
Contact supplier to arrange delivery.
Arrange laptop insurance; keep receipt.
Arrange assistive technology training.
Buy printer paper & cartridges (if costs included in package); keep receipt.
Contact disability services at university.
Claim reimbursement for costs.
Visit disability services to arrange mentoring.

Correction: the audio recording appears as bars of information that can be highlighted, copied & pasted (not as text as I said earlier).

In fact she had difficulty at her enrolment interview yesterday. The guy speaking to her bombarded her with so much verbal information that she was overwhelmed and probably only took about 20% of it in

For the employer there is the added bonus that it would be a deductable expense (I'm assuming I'm sure Stickerrocks will put me right if I am wrong)

Aggh !! may be rather interesting - not my brother !!

And the DSA process is long winded - not the process of getting an ed psych report !!

DSA is disabled students allowance and covers every type of academic and non academic support required. Usually provided to the student In the form of practical support not an allowance but is centrally funded hence students are assessed on entry as to what they qualify for.

"DS really struggles with taking in what someone is saying to him and writing it down and also copying from the board (dyslexia)"

Same for dd

You need some evidence - usually and Ed psych report and it has to be less than two years old. I was planning to get one shortly partly for this purpose but also my brother interesting since last one was when he was 9 ! It is quite a long winded process to go through but the support on offer is substantial so well worth it and fairly standard across all unis and covers the whole range of support required whether for academic support, living arrangements or mh

It’s worth researching and making sure they know what’s on offer and the evidence required before they go. DS tried some speech to text software at the start of secondary school but I think it was too early and he didn’t have the maturity and tech savvy to make it worth while / I think he should try out a few things next year to have another go. A lot if things can be downloaded free for a trial.

Bluebelle that's an interesting thought. There is the disability discrimination act that would prevent you, as an employer, from taking someone's disability into account when recruiting. Then the same act would also prevent you from discriminating against them in the workplace. So, I guess theoretically, the employers would have to make reasonable adjustments.

I wonder if employers will also have to provide all these adaptations?

TheThird how does the student qualify for those things? I mean what paperwork do they need to have?

yes sorry that was a flippant comment and there are work around s he could use if he wanted too and you’re right that isn’t the main reason for his current plans. DD1 was offered a huge range of support tools when she went up uni some of which she had successfully taken up. I am conscious that he may well change his mind over the next year too.

No mishaps with first day here but did once take a call for a colleague who had dropped her son off st school a day early. Luckily it was inset so there were staff there and she slunk off sheepishly to collect him 😀

Definitely no laptop hear, infact DS doesn't even have one, he uses mine so he will definietely not be taking that in!!! As he's doing maths + sciences I imagine pen and paper will do.

gGirl I was really pleased to read your update, I hope he quickly settles at college and flourishes!

@Oratory1 if he decides to go to university there is note-taking software available e.g. Sonocent.

It has three columns: the slide or image goes on the left. The student presses a button each time the lecturer changes the slide and the software records what they say about that slide. This is stored as an audio recording (in case they want to listen again later) and also appears as text in the right hand column. In the middle there is extra space in case the student wants to type additional notes.

They can also get ClaroRead (software which reads text out loud to them) and mind-mappimg software.

The software would be provided by DSA allowance (unlike the student loan, this does not have to be paid back) along with whatever equipment he needs to be able to study with his particular needs. For example: a 16" laptop (the student pays the first £200 of this) and a printer.