Dyslexia

Effects / Difficulties

• Difficulties with spelling and fluent word reading
• Slower verbal processing speed
• Slower reading
• Reduced verbal memory and working memory

Strengths

• Can view things from a different perspective
• Problem solving skills
• Empathy
• Creativity
• Visual/ good pattern recognition

Students

• Extra time in exams 
• Quiet area to write notes
• Use of software such as text to speech and speech to text, Grammarly, spellcheckers
• Study skills support 
• Reading pen
• Recordings of lectures
• Access to handouts prior to lectures
• Longer library loans
• Recognition of difficulties when marking

Students should expect that their university and placement providers provide reasonable adjustments. Further support can also be accessed through Disabled Students Allowance.

Employees

• Use of a notebook 
• A list of commonly drugs and how to pronounce common terms
• Allow time for processing of questions, don’t just repeat it or rephrase
• Coloured paper and overlays/coloured lens in glasses may be useful for those with stereoscopic sensitivity/ Irlens syndrome
• May need to be told several time to remember something or need to practice multiple times to complete a skill but once embedded will usually achieve successfully.
• Give clear notes of meetings to help with memory and not having to listen and write at the same time