Dyslexia at uni

[cleo333]

My son has just been diagnosed with dyslexia ( he's struggling with this feeling sad) . Can you tell me what help your children have had from uni ?

Students apply for DSA which funds the cost of support at Uni (this can be specialist equipment and software and or dyslexia tuition). The latter is completely student led. Your DS can turn up with an essay question, a half done essay or with the full essay completed. I think sessions can be face to face or virtual.

I was also diagnosed at Uni nearly 10 years ago. There was soo much support available. The disability services at Uni will be able to help your son apply for grants & DSA. He will get priority for printed lecture notes before the lectures and other reasonable adjustments can be made along with extra exam time.

When I was at uni I got extra printer credit, a dictaphone, extra time and lecture notes in advance.

I didn’t apply for DSA as It could only be used for equipment and I had everything I needed as I was already 2 years into uni.

The feeling sad bit is totally normal, I went through this too. I was advised to seek support through the Uni counselling services. Does his Uni have some counselling services he could talk these feelings through with?

Thank you so much for your reply . He's currently in his last year of a levels and we are battling them to get him extra time in exams - don't get me started on that one .

I'm thinking I may suggest counselling too , did it help ? .

He's hoping to go to Sussex and we've been advised to fill in a form for support but we don't really know what help he may get or is entitled too

Thats Shocking that you have to fight for extra time.

In my assessment the psychologist specifically wrote that 25% extra time in exams is required. Have a look at the wording of the assessment.

I am also autistic so counselling did not help for me but you will never know if it helps without trying it. Even though Counselling didn’t help me it did help me work out what other support I needed.

@cleo333 you won’t know exactly what support he will get until after he has completed the DSA form and sent in evidence, after this they will send him for a study needs assessment (his support needs will be discussed and identified during this appointment), after this a report will be compiled outlining recommendations (your son will receive a copy as will the DSA team) and your son will then receive a DSA2 letter notifying him about what support will be funded. After this he will order any equipment etc.

His University will have a Disability Dept and a website with all this information on.