Reflection on my dyslexia at university, researching, reading, research logs, assistive technology. In addition to supporting Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC) university students as a Mentor, Study Skills Tutor and Assistive Technology Trainer via Disabled Students Allowance (DSA). Here is my profile at the University of Greenwich.
Here I am a mature Educational Doctorate student, having had a 25 year career in local government. I then decided to undertake academic study, at the University of Greenwich to change my career to a teacher. This has bought me to this point researching for my Ed D after 11 years of studying. As much as you may find this difficult to comprehend I too find that this is unimaginable now I look back. This is especially so when it was suggested by a lecturer, that I seek assessment for Dyslexia, a neurodivergence as discussed by the British Dyslexia Association (BDA), whilst undertaking the Masters in Education (Education Technology)!
Taking stock of this possibility I swung into action and sought support from the Wellbeing Team at Greenwich University. The reason for taking action was that I did feel this may be a possibility because I was aware of some of the traits as poor reading skills, higher verbal than written skills and poor working memory (explained here by British Dyslexia Association). I now see that I noticed some of the traits in myself at school for example reading words backwards and letters back to front and having no interest in reading stories, as I could not follow the plot! Also, English language and literature were my poorest subjects, the stronger ones being sciences and maths. No assessment was made or suggestions at school about this possibility as I coped
Therefore, I embarked on getting support to find an assessor get a diagnosis and then apply for DSA. The university was very supportive and awarded some funding towards the assessment. The assessment was completed and I did indeed assess as dyslexic, working memory being the most prominent component for me. I then applied for Disabled Students’ Allowance as quite straightforward.
After the assessment and application for DSA I received my support package (Study Skills and assistive technology support and training). I have not looked back since. Except I am now a DSA non-Medical Help supporter for Autistic University Students myself too. A role that suits me and gives me a genuine understanding of their needs in addition to giving me the flexibility to work and study.
A recent development has been learning how to read with “Visual Reading” a package available via DSA that helps improve reading due to the way dyslexic and other neurodivergent people read differently. This is based on eye movement and saccades when reading. That is me mentioned on the website!
What students say about Visual Reading
“Since I started Visual Reading, I’ve read 7 novels. Before this, I don’t think I’d read 7 novels in my entire life!”
Ann, dyslexic PhD student.
There is another online version of this too which is called Bionic Reading that may benefit online reading shown here below.
I am hoping to complete The Ed D by 2024, so watch this space.
Thank you for reading
Below are other schemes and information available for neurodivergent people.