DD newly diagnosed as dyslexic at 19 in university

[Blushingm]

As the title says.

DD has extra time in school exams from year 8 - she had a form 8.

In first year of uni she was embarrassed as didn’t ask for extra time or assessments but she struggled with recent exams.

I suggested she ask for an assessment and it came back confirming she has quite severe dyslexia

Shes quite upset - the report gives some suggestions of how university can support her - recording devices, no being asked to read aloud in class (her reading was assessed as well below average)

What can I do to support her?

I guess it will be hard for her to come to terms with how hard she’s had to struggle for all this time without any help.

The university disabilities office should see the report and set out the ‘reasonable adjustments’ that all her lecturers will have to make. This is usually formalised into a statement that can be sent to each new lecturer. It might include things like getting lecture slides sent to her in advance of lectures, making sure all set readings are made available in form compatible with digital reading device etc. Also either extra time for exams or a scribe depending on severity.

you could probably help her best with moral support and money towards Ed tech? The university might provide eg a laptop but The Dyslexia Shop has all kinds of other helpful gadgets. Figuring out if she prefers to do all her reading on a device like a kindle… or if she wants the tech that will ‘read’ a pdf out loud to you… I doubt that a uni disability service could stretch to that but it might make her life easier.

A meeting with the university’s disability services would be a good idea. Can you support DD to make contact with them if she hasn’t already?

DD can also apply for DSA. You could help her do that.

She did eventually contact them to ask for the formal assessment. It’s only take 3 weeks and the report is back already. I’ve said now she’s had the report - a copy was sent to the university too - she should get in touch again

I’ve never heard of the Dyslexia Shop - thank you!

she has struggled but I’ve tried to say she’s done incredibly well to be at university studying law with having the help she’s needed

As above, she should apply for DSA - they will fund a package of technology and a specialist study skills tutor.