1. Dyslexia Why am I here?

2. Who am I? Name:- Heather Name:- Heather Age:- ? Age:- ? Occupation:- Student midwife (nearly finished, Yes!) Occupation:- Student midwife (nearly finished, Yes!)

3. Qualifications 7 GCSE’S 7 GCSE’S NNEB (Nursery nursing) NNEB (Nursery nursing) Pre-primary Montessori teaching diploma. Pre-primary Montessori teaching diploma. Adult nursing diploma Adult nursing diploma Degree in Midwifery (nearly) Degree in Midwifery (nearly)

4. How I found out I had dyslexia. Never a good speller. Never a good speller. Had to work really hard to “keep up” Had to work really hard to “keep up” Always used a dictionary. Always used a dictionary. First year of nursing we had a talk on dyslexia. First year of nursing we had a talk on dyslexia. Spoke to the speaker. Spoke to the speaker.

5. How I got assessed. Spoke to the special needs adviser. Spoke to the special needs adviser. Went to Coventry. Went to Coventry. Asked a load of questions. Asked a load of questions. Conclusion. You have dyslexia. Conclusion. You have dyslexia. So what am I to do now then!!! So what am I to do now then!!!

6. What I got!!!! 25% extra time in exams 25% extra time in exams A computer A computer A palm computer A palm computer Programme for the computer Programme for the computer Franklin spell master (my new dictionary) Franklin spell master (my new dictionary) Quickionary pen. Quickionary pen. Mini disc record. Mini disc record. Lap top in exams. Lap top in exams. Some one to proof read my work. Some one to proof read my work. Money for internet connection, photocopying etc. Money for internet connection, photocopying etc.

7. What is dyslexia? First described in 1895 as word blindness. In 1972 the dyslexia association was founded. Not really known why, research suggests that there are missed placed neurons in the left of the brain and extra one in the right hand side. Effects nearly 30% of the population. 4 times more likely in boys.

8. The Good and the bad. Good. Good. Highly aware of the environment around them. Highly aware of the environment around them. More curious than average. More curious than average. Creative and think laterally. Creative and think laterally. Intuitive and perceptive. Intuitive and perceptive. Good at sport and music. Good at sport and music. Imaginative4 and skilful. Imaginative4 and skilful. Practical. Practical. Great imagination Great imagination Bad. Bad. Difficulty sequencing. Difficulty sequencing. Problems with numeracy. Problems with numeracy. Poor concentration. Poor concentration. Low self esteem. Low self esteem. Trouble with letter sounds when reading and writing and spelling. Trouble with letter sounds when reading and writing and spelling. Good and bad days. Good and bad days. Have to work harder and longer than others to achieved Have to work harder and longer than others to achieved

9. Common sign in adults. May hide reading problems. May hide reading problems. Spell poorly. Spell poorly. Often very competent in oral language. Often very competent in oral language. Relies on memory, has a excellent memory. Relies on memory, has a excellent memory. Avoids writing. Avoids writing. Often have the occupation of a physician (surgeons), mathematicians, engineers, architects, artists. Often have the occupation of a physician (surgeons), mathematicians, engineers, architects, artists.

10. Some comments from dyslexia students. When I’m under pressure I can never remember the relevant words. When I’m under pressure I can never remember the relevant words. I know I have all the information I need, but I can’t get it down in the correct order. I know I have all the information I need, but I can’t get it down in the correct order. Computers make sense to me- like a visual tray. Computers make sense to me- like a visual tray. I see things from a different angle. Problems are often easy to solve and I don’t understand why others struggle with them. I see things from a different angle. Problems are often easy to solve and I don’t understand why others struggle with them. It takes me a few minutes to solve a problem and then all day to explain how I did it. It takes me a few minutes to solve a problem and then all day to explain how I did it.

11. Do you feel you need help. The student enabling centre in the MB building is the nearest source of information in this university. The student enabling centre in the MB building is the nearest source of information in this university. Speak to the educational needs advisers. Speak to the educational needs advisers. If in doubt, ask. Don’t struggle, it may prevent you from doing what you have always wanted. If in doubt, ask. Don’t struggle, it may prevent you from doing what you have always wanted. Apply for the disability students allowance, this goes hand in hand with all the equipment I got. Don’t be put of by the forms, there is now an all singing all dancing version on wolf which will guide you through. Apply for the disability students allowance, this goes hand in hand with all the equipment I got. Don’t be put of by the forms, there is now an all singing all dancing version on wolf which will guide you through.

12. Thanks for listening!!! Enjoy the rest of the day. Any questions??? Any questions???