Primary School
What's this all about?
For many people with dyslexia, school can be a tough, daunting and often confusing place. We also know that these feelings can occur for the parents or guardians of that child too. In this section of our website we will go through useful tips, tricks and links that may help an individual to start breaking down these emotions and actually start enjoying and getting the most out of school! This section will specifically be for the journey of going through primary or secondary school.
Talk Talk Talk!
It may sound so simple, but one of the most important first steps to a dyslexic's educational journey is talking. Teachers spend a considerable amount of time with children and may start to spot behaviour that could be signs of dyslexia; if this happens, they may want to sit down with you and talk you through why they think your child is dyslexic. However, you may start to see symptoms in day-to-day life; if you do think your child may have dyslexia, it is so important to go and talk to their teacher so that they can investigate it further. All schools should have a designated disabilities lead so if you feel the teacher may not be listening to your concerns, you can go directly to the disability lead.
For many reasons, signs and Symptoms can be highly different for every child. Dyslexia isn't just shown in struggling to read or spell, as many may think! Something as simple as struggling to tell the time on a traditional clock could be a signal of dyslexia.
Here is a link to the British Dyslexia Association signs of dyslexia https://www.bdadyslexia.org.uk/advice/children/is-my-child-dyslexic/signs-of-dyslexia-primary-age
Getting a Diagnosis!
This, for many people, can be the most emotionally challenging part of having a learning disability, not just for the child but for the parents/guardians too. There is a stereotype that the second you get medically diagnosed with something, you will forever be stuck with that label for LIFE, which can scare many people. Commonly, this can lead to parents/guardians avoiding getting their child diagnosed due to the fear of stigmatization. Unfortunately, it is a perfect example of how society has such a long way to go in accepting people with disabilities with open arms!
Now we know it's scary, and you can read about our founder Tamsin's diagnosis journey in her blog. Still, there are so many positives to getting an official diagnosis that really can be a game changer for a child with dyslexia in the educational sector. Once you have an official diagnosis, it will then be a legal right under the Equality & Disabilities Act 2010 that your child should receive any additional help they may need in school; they will be assessed more regularly and have the opportunity to access programs that they wouldn't have without a diagnosis.
A diagnosis must be carried out by a certified dyslexia assessor, who they will go through a diagnostic assessment. Unfortunatly for an official diagnosis you can expect to pay around £300- £500 but after that you should not be expected to pay for another assessment again.
Below are a few useful places in Gloucestershire where you can find more information, book official assessments and get more help.
- GDA ( Gloucestershire Dyslexia Association) - https://gloucestershiredyslexia.org.uk/assessments/
- Dyslexia services for Gloucestershire - https://www.dsfglos.com/
- Sarah Cowell - https://sarahcowell.co.uk/assessments/
- Glos Families Directory - https://www.glosfamiliesdirectory.org.uk/kb5/gloucs/glosfamilies/service.page?id=UNFZG4C9km4
- Chase - https://www.chace.ac.uk/
- NHS Guidance - https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/dyslexia/diagnosis/
The Dreaded Word EXAMS!
The time that most dyslexics and their support systems tend to dread is when exam time comes along. Understandably for a child who has not been diagnosed with dyslexia, therefore not getting the extra help in exams that they may need, this can be one of the most stressful times in the educational career.
In this section, we will go through some things that schools and parents/guardians can implement to help a child through their exams. Now it's important to remember that every child's dyslexia will be different, so something that works for one may not work for the other. Finding the methods that help takes time & patience and will sometimes be stressful but well worth it!
and finally
Embracing Differnce
As mentioned in the diagnosis section, being labelled "Different" can be scary, upsetting and confusing for everyone involved. Stigmatisation, stereotyping and victimisation are still prevalent in current society regarding learning disabilities. Everyone with a learning disability will updoughtably face it at some point in their life.
Reminding and educating yourself on the beauty of dyslexia is crucial to lowering the negative impact it can have on an individual's mental health. Dyslexics view the world differently and uniquely uniquely, allowing them to have strengths that others don't. For example, did you know that NASA... yep, NASA specifically will look to employ people with dyslexia for roles because people with dyslexia are renowned for being exceptional at problem-solving! Or that most people with dyslexia are in leadership roles due to their ability to communicate effectively in person through body language and tone of voice. Just because someone has dyslexia does not mean their IQ is lower. It just simply means they process that data differently. Starting a positive mentality and outlook on an individual's dyslexia at a young age can positively affect their current and future mental health and self-esteem.
You can read one of our founder's blogs on harnessing her dyslexia as a superpower to read more about empowering your or an individual's dyslexia. There are also growing communities of fellow dyslexics that you can join that may help; please see the links below.
Link to support groups- https://www.activeimpact.org.uk/
Facebook support groups - https://www.orcam.com/en-us/blog/dyslexia-facebook-support-groups-to-join
Should I start my talk group for 13 years and above????
Where to begin!
For most of us, taking the step from primary to secondary school is very daunting, but for a dyslexic, that is amplified. In this section, we will go through things you should be aware of when going through secondary school, especially when you start doing your GCSEs. Along with the added complexity of dyslexia, most children in secondary school are also beginning to experience a hormonal change in their bodies which can cause stressful and upsetting situations to become heightened. It is important to remember that everyone is different. Every secondary school deals with dyslexia in slightly different ways, but hopefully the below can help you know what you are entitled to and help if you need it.
Re Assesment
Extra help in exams
Extra help in exams
Something fundamental to know/be aware of is that every new educational institution you go to will need to carry out its dyslexia assessment. This, for many people with dyslexia feels like they have to keep proving they have a disability which can affect mental health if not managed properly. The reason schools do this is so that they can make sure the dyslexic gets the appropriate help they need whilst studying at the school. If a dyslexic goes to a school and doesn't have this assessment asap, then you can request one to be done.
Here is a useful document that may provide more insight into dyslexia at Secondary School Level - https://www.kirkleeslocaloffer.org.uk/media/mosjxyz1/supporting_pupils_with_spld_-_mini_guide_1.pdf
Extra help in exams
Extra help in exams
Extra help in exams
Having extra help in any exams you do at the secondary school level is crucial. Once you have had your dyslexia assessment done by the school, you should be led through a development program outlining what the school is putting in place to help the dyslexic. It's important to remember that the person with dyslexia has a right to allow, so don't be afraid to ask or voice if you don't think the right help is being implemented.
Things that could be put in place for everyday learning could be coloured overlays, coloured paper, reading rulers, the extra time and separate rooms for any exams. Additional 1-1 learning sessions can also be implemented with the school learning disabilities lead.
Text to Help have a great section on their website about help in exams especially GCSEs - https://www.texthelp.com/resources/blog/supporting-students-with-dyslexia-in-an-increasing/
GCSEs
Extra help in exams
Mental health
Before you start your GCSEs, you must be re-assessed for dyslexia (yep, again). This should happen when you start year ten and is a way for the examination board to check you qualify for this extra assistance like extra time, a scribe or a reader.
If this hasn't happened, you must go to your school's disability lead and check if it has been booked and when. If the dyslexic is not officially diagnosed, this process will be much more complex. Unfortunately, something significant to know is that they can say that you aren't dyslexic enough for additional help.
AQA is the organisation that will decide whether a person with dyslexia qualifies for the appropriate support. If you disagree with their decision, you can contest it. Your school should help you with this,
Here is the link to the AQA Aceess arrangments page - https://www.aqa.org.uk/exams-administration/special-requirements/access-arrangements
Mental health
Tricks & Tips
Mental health
Unfortunately, individuals with a learning disability like dyslexia are more prone to possibly suffering from a mental health condition. At this age, young people undergo many changes that can also affect their mental health. Hence, it becomes more vital to be aware of what support is out there to help any child experiencing a mental health condition but also on this website, specifically someone who has dyslexia.
Our founder, who is Level 2 trained in Children and young people's mental health, really wants to bring a focus to how aware and open-minded of mental health we need to be to support people with dyslexia.
Here is an excellent section if the British Dyslexia Association on where you can access help - https://www.bdadyslexia.org.uk/dyslexia/neurodiversity-and-co-occurring-differences/anxiety-and-mental-health
Community
Tricks & Tips
Tricks & Tips
It may sound simple, but for a person with dyslexia at this stage in their life, sometimes realising they are not alone and other cool like-minded people with dyslexia can be crucial in their self-confidence!
We hope that this website becomes a safe community for people to share their stories and experience so please do check out our blog section and read any you find relevant. If you use social media, many platforms have positive-minded groups that may help a dyslexic feel like they are part of a community.
Here is the link to some highly recommended Facebook pages - https://www.orcam.com/en-us/blog/dyslexia-facebook-support-groups-to-join
Discovering Dyslexia Monthly Meet Up - LINK TO PAGE
Tricks & Tips
Tricks & Tips
Tricks & Tips
These little tips and tricks are just personally submitted from fellow dyslexics that may help a dyslexic student in secondary school!
Digital watch - Even when older some Dyselxics can struggle to quickly read an traditional clock, this can lead to them stressing about missing lessons or being bullied for not knowing the time. Having basic digital watch would help this and to develop helping them read a traditional clock.
Colour Coordinate - Some dyslexics when writing out notes or emphasising important text may find it easier to have different colours for different things. This could be anything from pens to highlighters but other way it could make it quicker and easier for a dyselxic to differentiate text.
Words Into Song - Some dyslexics will find it easier to remember words or important information when put into a familiar rhytham or pattern like a song, this will be different for each dyslexic but might just help them to remember something important.