Characteristics of dyslexia
You may have difficulty processing texts quickly or summarising their content. It may be hard for you to focus on content, style and spelling all at once. As a result, it probably takes you extra time to read something. You may also find it challenging to take tests or exams that involve a lot of reading, such as comprehensive reading portions or multiple-choice questions, or to write a paper. This causes you to make many mistakes, and you frequently run out of time.
Each of the obstacles listed above can have a negative impact on your studies or internship.
This is what I deal with
Obstacles faced by students with dyslexia
As a student with dyslexia, you may find yourself facing a variety of obstacles:
- Problems taking part in education. You may have trouble taking effective notes during lectures. Preparing for lectures can present an obstacle as well, because you will need to read texts more often than other students in order to understand their meaning.
- Problems with tests/exams and assignments. It can be difficult for you to take tests, for instance when a test involves a lot of reading. You might need adjustments in order to take the test or attend class in a way that works for you.
- Anxiety and stress. Because you need so much time to study, you feel pressure in connection with deadlines. This can cause tension and stress. You are often afraid to make a mistake, which could present as fear of failure and/or a fear of tests.
- Concentration problems. Concentration problems are especially likely to be present when reading and writing.
Even though these obstacles may cause difficulties, you can rest assured that more than enough tools and solutions are available that can help you successfully complete your degree programme. In the preceding section, click on the obstacle you are facing with which you could use some help. You can then read a lot more about that topic and find additional tips and tools. If your specific obstacle is not mentioned above, please refer to the comprehensive list of obstacles.
This is what I might need
Support and facilities for students with dyslexia
A variety of adjustments and/or facilities are available that may be helpful to you during your degree programme at a research university or university of applied sciences. While there are national schemes, your educational institution will offer its own forms of additional support, too.
As a student with dyslexia, you might have a need for the following:
- Educational aids. This might include a laptop or text-to-speech/dictation software. There are also facilities for adjusted testing, such as extra time or a larger font. Examples of educational aids can be found on this page under ‘Tips’.
- Study materials. Maybe you need support in the form of accessible study and course materials.
Have a look at the other facilities that might be helpful for you, too.
Tips
Do not wait to ask for help
Antwoord
Every student is different, and every individual needs a different type of help. It is important to explore the options and find what works for you. Do not be afraid to ask for help at the first signs of trouble. Asking for help is actually a sign of strength, because it lets others know how much you want to succeed in your degree programme. Talk to a student counsellor, study adviser, academic career counsellor or your mentor in your programme and ask them about the possibilities available to you. It is a good idea to take a moment first to write down what you need and what kind of support you think would be helpful to you.
Digital and other aids
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- ICT tools and aids for students with dyslexia:
- You can use text-to-speech software such as Kurzweil, TextAid or Balabolka.
- The conversion tool Robotekst converts non-accessible digital files into accessible information.
- Digital and other dictionaries.
- Text editor: use a ‘basic’ text editor to avoid distractions. The ‘Outline’ function, found under the ‘View’ tab in Microsoft Office® Word, can help you organise text for a paper or thesis in a more structured way.
- The institution where you are enrolled may have specific computers with ICT tools and aids for dyslexic students. See if you can find more information about this.
- The ‘Mind Mapping’ technique can help you organise and summarise information. Examples of Mind Mapping software are bubble.us, Coggle and Mindmaster.
- Textbooks from Dedicon, provided in adjusted form. Dedicon has a collection of over 7,500 accessible textbooks for students at research universities and universities of applied sciences, for instance in spoken form or with enlarged print.
- Computer
- Personal laptop: a laptop with the right font, size, colours and lay-out for your needs.
- Reserving a computer: you may be able to reserve a computer with permanent settings and software adjustments from your educational institution.
- Training for using aids: your educational institution may offer a training course on how to use digital accommodations or software. Ask your student counsellor, study adviser or academic career counsellor about this.
Rights and possible adjustments
Antwoord
- The adjustments, which the educational institution makes in the educational process and examination, are real. Examination is representative of the situation in professional practice. Adjustments must also be realistic for potential employers.
- When granting a deviating method of examination, schools should not compromise the requirements and content of the qualification dossiers/profiles. Adjustments in examination only concern the mode of examination. Serious arithmetical/mathematical problems and dyscalculia are exceptions.
- When granting deviating ways of examining, educational institutions must follow the guidelines from the Examination Boards.
Organisations
Through the tool 'Hulpwijzer'[Help Guide], you can find organisations that have expertise on your support needs. Check out the possibilities.