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Original poster

It's not likely I'm dyslexic, is it?

51 replies

TippyTinkleTrousers · 09/08/2017 17:44

I posted on here recently (chat probably) about struggling being able to proof read my essays, I struggle with grammar, spelling and generally proof reading despite buying books in grammar using spell check and carefully and slowly proof reading.

I contacted my uni and my local Fb page as a call out for a proof reader as clearly I'm useless.

I lost marks constantly during my last degree and came out with a bare 2:2

The uni doesn't provide a service, just one for students who's first language isn't English but I found loads of people willing to be paid via Fb.

The head of health science has asked me to a dyslexia test (which I already completed 7 months ago) and I told her it said I was borderline.

Now I'm in a tangle trying to figure out a time to take an actual test.
I will do it but I feel like it's massive waste of time.

Surely I can't have got this far in life not knowing I'm dyslexic? I'm 34.

On the other hand it was asking me questions that are fitting for me, unable to follow written instructions, inability to sit still, very fidgity and some other things.

All nothing to do with spelling and grammar Hmm

Any insight I'd be grateful for.

OP posts:
BanginChoons · 09/08/2017 17:48

So you've done the screening, but not the actual test? It's absolutely possible.

I found out this year I am dyslexic, I am a similar age to you and in my first year of my degree. I was told that it's not that I don't have the symptoms, but that I have learned to compensate well for them by adapting my behaviours and learning style.

Didiplanthis · 09/08/2017 17:52

I discovered I was dyslexic in my first year of uni. Had got by skim reading and remembering by ear. This didn't work when faced with pages and pages of close typed biochemistry. I pretty much had to learn to read properly all over again and used coloured overlays which really helped.

Original poster
TippyTinkleTrousers · 09/08/2017 18:01

Yes I've just done the screening.

Was that your first step Bangin and Didi?

Was your answer borderline out did it give you a more definitive answer?

OP posts:
Tobebythesea · 09/08/2017 18:04

I was diagnosed at 30. Can you ask to be re-tested? I had a basic screen by a non-professional and was borderline then I had three hours of tests and was found to be moderately dyslexic.

Tobebythesea · 09/08/2017 18:05

I should add it was by an Educational Psychologist

MirabelleTree · 09/08/2017 18:09

DS sailed through some screening thing at first school but we felt something was not quite right plus there is a strong family history so we got him tested by an Ed Psych and he does have dyslexia. His cousin was picked up in her final year doing her dissertation. She said the extra support really helped.

Original poster
TippyTinkleTrousers · 09/08/2017 18:10

Yes this will be with the educational psychologist. I'm waiting for the receptionist to call me back with times after she has spoken to her because I'm currently on placement.

3 hours!! I'm glad you warned me of that because I have the kids. I will have to book them some childcare.

3 hours 😮

OP posts:
whatwouldrondo · 09/08/2017 18:11

It didn't dawn on me until I was 42 and my children were diagnosed. I had a severely dyslexic brother who was diagnosed, even, in the 70s. He was taught to read by a special tutor when he was 11, left school with a CSE in woodwork. School was a bit of a daze, teachers knew I had good ideas but variously accused me of being lazy, forgetful, dreamy, naughty and stupid, or all of the above and made it a misery. I was slow to read, got into very selective Grammar School because I was good at reasoning tests, funked O levels, got OK A levels and a 2.1 in my first degree and just missed a distinction in an MBA. I knew I was bright when it came to understanding and analysing things, thinking out of the box and having good ideas but my spelling, grammar and syntax, memory and speed of processing are awful. Throughout my career (Marketing) I spent 50% of the time thinking I was stupid, especially in being able to respond quickly to new knowledge in meetings and the other 50% knowing that I was a match for anyone when it came to analysis and generating new ideas. It never occurred to me I could be dyslexic like my brother because I had managed to achieve, more so when I could focus on analysis and ideas in my degree and job. . However when reading my daughters' diagnosis I realised that explained everything.

I would add that I realised when I worked freelance facilitating CEOs of medium and large businesses in development of strategy I realised that a lot of them are too. A lot are almost illiterate on paper.

My brother by the way is Head of Engineering for Europe for a company that makes components for some famous brand engineering products so he got there too.

I really recommend a diagnosis. I now realised I had developed a lot of strategies to cope with the difference in the way my brain works but I wish I had actually understood that it was a difference with positives as well as negatives and that I was not stupid......

Didiplanthis · 09/08/2017 18:12

Borderline on screening moderate of ed psych. My dd sailed through screening and has got some pretty profound issues on ed psych test ( 4 hours ! ) masked by high IQ.

Original poster
TippyTinkleTrousers · 09/08/2017 18:12

IF I am then I can be funded to have a tutor proof read my work. Rather than have to pay for it myself privately.

That sounds too good to be true. Which is another reason why I'm doubting this.

Plus, I don't remember struggling at school, only with my spelling.
I enjoyed English and was in the top sets and generally got B's when I tried hard. C's and D's in GCSE though unfortunately.

OP posts:
GlitterNails · 09/08/2017 18:13

I too had a very similar thing - had a long test for about four hours with the educational psychologist. She said I had loads of coping mechanisms and it was really common for intelligent people to get by then struggle at university.

So it's totally possible, particularly if you identify with the other issues you mention not just spelling etc.

GlitterNails · 09/08/2017 18:15

Just to add in English I got two Bs at GCSE. Then B at a level.

However at university my essays went from 2.3 or 2.2 to firsts after I got a tutor who helped collect my thoughts with essays - she didn't do any work for me.

Didiplanthis · 09/08/2017 18:16

I got ABB at A level ! And straight A's at GCSE. Still couldn't read the text books at uni.

BanginChoons · 09/08/2017 18:18

Yes, I initially did the screening and the the 3 hour diagnostic test with the psychologist. I was found to have moderate dyslexia and a slow processing speed which is inconsistent with my excellent problem solving skills. Hence the inconsistency is due to how I process information.

BanginChoons · 09/08/2017 18:21

My main indicators at the screening were things like struggling when driving in places I don't know. Being unable to visualise a journey from a map. Struggling to judge how long a string of tasks will take or how long a journey will take.

Crumbs1 · 09/08/2017 18:22

I'm getting two of my staff tested. One is 42 and the other 46.

whatwouldrondo · 09/08/2017 18:26

My DD has severe problems with working memory, processing and speed of writing, she is in the bottom 9% of the population. She got A* in English at A level and just graduated with a 2.1 in the subject. It is not that you can't do well in English if you are dyslexic, it i just that you face a longer learning curve and need the right teaching styles, and coping strategies that help you to overcome the challenges that you face as a result of memory and processing problems. The reason that I am bad at proof reading is not that I don't know the rules, it is that a mistake on the page simply does not get processed into my long term memory, it gets lost somewhere. Some words simply never make it in at all unless i can think of a tag that makes them memorable like dis ease.......

fourcorneredcircle · 09/08/2017 18:29

Lots of bright dyslexics slip through the net in childhood - they discover ways to compensate without specialist input and just get on with it. Lots of the same young people come unstuck in HE - which is why as a SENCO I'm very keen for any child with the slightest symptoms to be tested. Even if their diagnosis means nothing to them at 14, or GCSE, or even A level, it may in the future.

I just wish the process was easier, or even possible, for parents who can't afford to pay for an independent ed psyche. Severe shortage in our LA and "coping" kids don't get a look in.

whatwouldrondo · 09/08/2017 18:34

Everyone is different in terms of their issues though, it is more a syndrome than a single set of problems. In the course of my DDs' various assessments they changed the definition of Dyslexia as applying to people with specific issues with literacy but under a wider umbrella of Specific Learning Difficulties that also includes Dyscalclia (can't spell it!) Dyspraxia, and other less defined profiles. My other DD has a photographic memory which made academic success come very easy up until University and the subsequent difficulties all the more of a psychological as well as learning challenge.

ghostyslovesheets · 09/08/2017 18:39

it might not be dyslexia - I'm not dyslexic but I do have a specific learning need that impacts on my ability to proofread things - I used to ask friends to read my essays and I get work mates to give official stuff the once over now

If it's impacting on your grades can you discuss it with your tutors?

Dlpdep · 09/08/2017 18:45

One thing I could recommend that you do immediately is get some kind of software that will read out your work. It's much easier to proofread if it is read out to you in a voice that is different to your. AFAIK there are some free ones online and your laptop may be able to do it with some settings.

Blueberriemuffin · 09/08/2017 18:48

I have dyslexia and have developed many coping strategies. The only real problem I have is retaining the spoken word or reading complex text. Apparently it's audio dyslexia. I performed well in the number tests, I also had physical symptoms. Get tested and get the help. Ps colleagues used me as a proof reader, if I had the time I'd help, paid or not

turkeyboots · 09/08/2017 18:54

1 in 10 people are dyslexic, so if you suspect anything it is worth getting tested. Especially if Uni will cover the costs as its an expensive one.

Daisymay2 · 09/08/2017 18:54

My son got A in English and History A levels and had just got a 2.1 in Hisotry. Like PP's daughter, he has a bad working memory but very high IQ ( top 2% at 17 when he was diagnosed) . Can't handle a train or bus time table and managed to miss a Uni exam by misreading the time table - turned up a day late so lost those marks.! The support from the Uni Learning support was invaluable.
I have proof read work for him- as a scientist who gave up history in the third form I can't be much help, but can check spelling and consistency of tenses etc.

Ewanwhosearmy · 09/08/2017 19:02

My colleague (an Engineer) got diagnosed dyslexic in his late 40s. He was training an apprentice who was dyslexic and they were ticking off the symptoms list when he had an aha moment and went off to be tested.