Starting College with dyslexia strategies to help with note taking

[swaninbay]

DS just did badly in his highers He got an A in computer science which is his best subject. He refused to retake any of the other three subjects so he is off to college to start an HNC/HND in computing science and see where that takes him. However he is dyslexic , I cannot imagine him taking notes. I read that students often record lectures. What do they do this on? Their phones or what?What accommodtations can he ask for from the college. A quick reddit search one person asked for any powerpoint presentations in advance and then annotated a print out of those. Any other ideas to help?

He really needs to make this work.

We're not in Scotland and DS isn't Dyslexic but he does get DSA for ADHD abd part of that is getting a laptop with a program that will record lectures.

Don't know if DSA is available in Scotland or if he's willing to apply? My DS needed support to apply but that ls ADHD for you

Yes I believe DSA is available here. How long did it take to get the funding for the laptop? Do you need an official diagnosis? We have the results of some test the high school did with him, it was pretty conclusive.

okay I have just found information about DSA in Scotland - it can take up to three months, oops. He starts in September, it was a last minute change of plans. It says to talk to your college disability adviser, we need to do that. He is 17, would it look awful if I went with him to discuss with the adviser? He has major social anxiety.

Speak to the college. They can offer certain adjustments without DSA. What colleges can offer will vary college to college so it is worth talking to them as soon you can. It wouldn’t be unreasonable for you to go with DS.

Apply for DSA ASAP. I don’t know the rules on Scottish DSA so I wouldn’t like to advise on what is needed.

Some use dictaphones to record lectures.

If DS finds organisation difficult, look at something like Brain in Hand. In England, that can be funded by DSA. I don’t know if that is also the case in Scotland. DSA in England can also provide a mentor. If that is the same in Scotland, that would help.

Like I said I don't have any experience of Dyslexia but DS finds the mentoring very useful.

Hi, we’re in Scotland too. My DD 16 is autistic rather than dyslexic, but is also heading to college now having done badly in Highers! I would really encourage you to make an appointment with the student support team, and don’t feel bad about accompanying him. I went along with DD due to her immaturity/anxiety, fully expecting to wait outside. But the support worker encouraged me to come in and take part in the meeting. It was good because I could fill in the gaps she was unable to tell her about. They will need details of his diagnosis for example.
Colleges seem much more proactive than school in their student support, I’m sure your DS will be supported to achieve in his course. Best of luck! We’re hoping this year will be really good for DD after a miserable couple of years at school.

I'm not in Scotland - but I've just been through the Uni system in England (as a very mature student) and was diagnosed with dyslexia toward the end of my first year.

Get the DSA wheels rolling as soon as you can - I got, as a result of mine:
Access to note taking and recording software (Sonocent Audio Notetaker - think you might be able to get a free trial of it) and you can basically upload the powerpoint slides, and then it'll record while you type notes and you can move it onto the next slide each time
I had Dragon Dictate for me to dictate into my computer - complete with embarrassing headset - but I'll be honest, I didn't really use that much as my dyslexia is very visual and processing/retention of text
Read and Write Gold which was a screen reader, screen ruler etc to read stuff out to you - until you get that, try the Immersive Reader function in Word to read back what you've written - I still use that in my working life.

PowerPoint's in advance of lectures was the other big one, plus extra time and a quiet room for exams.

How is your DS getting on @swaninbay?