Further/Higher Education (continued)
All of the difficulties mentioned above can lead to Emotional Problems, making them easily depressed, angry, frustrated and anxious. Many dyspraxic students have low self-esteem. They can find it difficult to relate to others especially in groups and read social cues correctly. These difficulties will become more apparent in times of stress such as during and before exams and when embarking on a new project. They also tend to be erratic have 'good and bad days' in normal circumstances. Strategies that can be adopted by the college.
- Special guidance with regard to both their capability of successfully completing the course of study and the suitability of a particular course to lead to further study and employment should be provided.
- Formal tuition in the planning and organisation of work, both practical and academic. Give examples of essays, reports and projects. Break down processes to steps with an opportunity for feedback to check understanding.
- Strategies to compensate for poor memory and organisational skills, e.g. the use of mnemonics, work timetables, flow charts and mind maps, hand-outs, word processors.
- Training in relaxation techniques, assertiveness and confidence building.
- Strategies should be in place to see that students can handle cooking and laboratory equipment safely. Items that can be secured should be - in order to stop spillage and breakage.
Further information available from:
SKILL (National Bureau for Students with Disabilities) Tel: 0800 3285050
Adult Dyspraxia Helpline (can refer you to your local adult contact)
Tel: 0207 435 7891
Adult computer list - dyspraxia@yahoogroups.com
They should be entitled to extra time for their course work and exams and have access to either a word processor or somebody to take their notes and write for them if necessary. If the student needs to apply for these concessions, they should seek a cognitive assessment from a clinical or educational psychologist.
Dyspraxic students in higher education can also claim a Disabled Students Allowance - a lump sum which the student can pay for equipment or services e.g. to buy a tape recorder and/or for photocopying.
Further Reading Living with Dyspraxia , A guide for adults with Developmental Dyspraxia by Mary Colley and the Dyspraxia Foundation Adult Support Group, 2000
Further/higher education - ‹‹page 1