Dyslexia and university education

[Copper]

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.

1. 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)
   

1. 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.
   

1. 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.]
   

1. 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.

[BestIsWest]

Copthallresident, so interesting to hear dyslexics are over represented amongst Historians. My DD has just completed her second year of a History degree and exactly like the OP's son, her results have varied enormously with a first, a 2:1 and a 3rd from this year's exams. Similar variable results at A level too.

She had loads of equipment from DSA but won't approach the Universty for support. She has developed great coping strategies but I think confidence and low self esteem plays a great part in this reluctance. I love the idea above about stickers to put on work to indicate SpLD


Makes me so angry when people think Dyslexia is a cover for being stupid. DS (also dyslexic) is really struggling at school at the moment and one of his teachers accused him of hiding behind his dyslexia as an excuse for producing poor work. If he could only see the effort DS puts in.

[MariscallRoad]

Excellent and congratulations to your DS .

There are diversities between dyslexics and dyslexics have certain strengths which you DS would like to read about.. It is a very complex area and you might wish to do some reasearch on it. The dyslexics learn in diverse/different ways than others. So depends what study they do. There is a lot you and your DS can read and research.

The experts on dyslexia are the Ed Ps or other licensed specialists who diagnose the condition and can can write a report on the potential of your DS. The A Level teacher of your DS misunderstood dyslexia; though there are teachers, PATOS specifically trained to diagnose and make assessments.

Myself and Ds, we are dyslexics, I studied subjects that suited my learning style. DS is top 1pc ability. DS has a mentor and excellent support in the uni and the dept where he studies. But he also chose a subject suited to his learning style.

[MariscallRoad]

Copper Your DS has rights. He is protected against discrimination by the Equality Act 2010 here I suggest you read the document and find out the obligations of various bodies and HE towards people with 'protected characteristics?;your Ds is amongst them. In particular, Section 20 on 'duty to make adjustments? is of interest to your DS. You can PM me if you wish.

[LRDYaDumayuShtoTiKrasiviy]

I would say ... I have spent a lot of time being told how important it is for dyslexics to restrict themselves to subjects that suit their learning style. I am sure that's not your intention, mariscal, but if the OP's son finds his subject hard, he still has just as many rights to access proper support to study it.

My subject is in some ways about as bad a match for a dyslexic as could be - but I love it, and when I've had good support, I've been able to cope. I think it's all very well to channel dyslexics into certain subject areas, but this lad is at the stage of doing a Masters - I think he should do what he genuinely enjoys and wants to do, not something different because it seems a better match.

[MariscallRoad]

LDR, I did not mean what you said, but you raised some interesting points . I said that students have rights to adjustments under the Equality Act 2010 and this is starting point. Personal mentoring for dyslexics is great and in place for all but there is a need for avalable academic mentoring as well to help with the particular subject in a way that makes the subject accessible. HE budgets should be planned for this type of academic mentoring, I do not know if this has been done.

[LRDYaDumayuShtoTiKrasiviy]

I didn't think you did! Just thought it was very much worth adding.

Good point about mentoring - I think with the OP, the issue is he didn't seek it out. Now, my feeling is, it should have been brought up several times during the course ... and perhaps it was. But it does make a huge difference, that sort of thing.

[MariscallRoad]

I have been trying to fing UK research on comparisons and how adjustments for LDs helps; If I do find I will post it.


I did find research abstracts from US saying that extended time for students with LDs does make a significant difference for them in grades. So at least one should ask for exam extended time 25% and or rests/breaks or anything that is in the Needs Assessment Report. Writing on laptop at exams is something that helps.

[LRDYaDumayuShtoTiKrasiviy]

Well, yes, it makes a big difference.

If he ends up doing an MA where there is a written exam (not all of them have these), he should certainly make sure he has extra time if that's appropriate.

But it is also perfectly ok to write to potential MA programmes and say he has dyslexia, he didn't have any extra help, and he believes he may have scored lower than he should as a result.

In a postgrad programme, there should be far more room for him to get special help, really.

[MariscallRoad]

DS should go ahead and apply for MA. He needs to try to find departments with good teaching as he might wish to go further than Masters later. A student with dyslexia can request to video the lectures as well and look at them at home. Universities become more and more aware of the need for support for students with dyslexia. My Ds says in certain subjects it takes him longer time to go over but when his knowledge becomes secure he goes faster than the average.

[SlowlorisIncognito]

Firstly, well done to your son. A 2.2 is still a real achievement.

I think it is probable that not all dyslexics do as well in their degrees as they should, because not all students do as well in their degrees as they should, for a wide variety of reasons.

I do think uni support varies widely for people with dyslexia and other similar conditions. I know people who have had it diagnosed whilst in uni, and got lots of support. Equally, I know people who were expected to ask for all the help they needed (including extra time in exams) and found this quite difficult.

One of the major issues though, is that most universities are very large institutions, who have many focuses outside the needs of their students. This means students have to be "self starters" and seek out any help they need.

I would imagine, if questioned, the university would say that you son should have discussed any issues with his personal tutor, or the disability office, especially the disparity in grades. There is no-one really looking after students, they way teachers do in school. I am not saying this is fair or right, just how the system works, if your son chooses to go on to further study.

The focus of most universities is research, as this is what brings in major money and prestiege. This is where most of the money will be allocated. Unless the university is solely a teaching university (and this is rare), undergraduates are often much less of a priority.