Student Support Services

Specific Learning Difficulties (Dyslexia, dyspraxia, dyscalculia)
 
What is Dyslexia?  
Could dyslexia affect you?  
How Dyslexia can affect your study?  
What to do if you think you are Dyslexic  
Declaring Dyslexia  
What to do if you are assessed as a student with Dyslexia  
   
For information on the help you can get from Canterbury Christ Church University regarding specific learning difficulties click here  

What is Dyslexia?

The word comes from Greek meaning 'difficulty with words'.  Research suggests that there is a difference in the autonomy, organisation and functioning in the area of the brain which deals with language. Dyslexic people often have a larger right hemisphere in their brain.

The BDA state that '...Dyslexia is a combination of abilities and difficulties that affect the learning process in one or more of reading, spelling and writing.'
Dyslexia can occur at any level of intellectual ability. The effects of a specific learning disability can be mitigated by skilled specialist teaching and committed learning.
Dyslexic people often possess strengths in visual and spatial abilities, original thought and creativity. These strengths enable them to excel in a wide range of careers

Dyslexia isn't A reading difficulty alone
  A result of low intelligence
  An impediment to an academic career
  A result of poor eye sight or hearing, or emotional problems

Back to top


Could dyslexia affect you?

Maybe you are having problems with reading - or spelling, or writing, or it could be with organising your work. Do you seem to work harder than other people on your course and still get poorer results? Has a friend or tutor has suggested you might be dyslexic? Or you find out that a member of your family is dyslexic. What do you do?

Back to top
 

How Dyslexia can affect your study?

Students with dyslexia may experience difficulties in one or more of the following areas:
- reading
- note-taking
- spelling, grammar and punctuation
- organising and expressing ideas in writing
- handwriting
- time management, and/or
- memory
There may be other issues related to a specific learning disability that can prevent a student from achieving their full potential.

Back to top


What to do if you think you are Dyslexic

The first thing to do if you think you are dyslexic is to contact the student advisor for dyslexia and neuro diverse conditions within Student Support and Guidance Department, we will do a screening test with you to see if you may have a specific learning difficulty.
As with all students with specific needs, we treat each person individually.

Back to top
 

Declaring Dyslexia

The first step is to formally notify us that you have dyslexia. If you did not declare on your application form; you may declare dyslexia at anytime during your course.
If you have already started your course, you should contact Student Support and Guidance Services to arrange an appointment with the student advisor for dyslexia and neuro diverse conditions (bring a copy of the educational psychologist report with you to the appointment).
Students with reports from School or College should be aware that In order to claim funding for any support at higher educational level you will need an up-to-date report. Meaning a report that has been completed since the age of 16 by an independent Educational Psychologist.
Once you have received a report that clearly states you are dyslexic, you must then contact the advisor for students with dyslexia and neuro-diverse conditions and contact your funding body to apply for the Disabled Students Allowance.

Back to top


What to do if you are assessed as a student with Dyslexia

You are encouraged to make you tutors aware of your particular needs. If you feel uncomfortable with this, or wish the information to remain confidential, please discuss this with the Dyslexia Adviser.
For those on courses with written examinations, it is important that you contact the Dyslexia Adviser to discuss what concessions may be possible.
International and European students will need to approach their national funding body, to see if they can support your dyslexia needs. Then make an appointment with the student advisor for dyslexia and neuro diverse conditions

Back to top