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I found out that I am dyslexic following gaining a first class Honors in 2004, despite my own suspicions that I might be dyslexic throughout school and university. In first school my mother was told I was behind with reading due to being ‘thick as two short planks’; middle and high school I was averaging B’s and C’s and was always told I could do better. At University, I strived to achieve highly, making huge time commitments and social sacrifices. When I asked to be assessed for dyslexia, I was laughed at and told I was in line for a ‘first’ and no way was I dyslexic.

Had my dyslexia been diagnosed in school I believe I would have achieved higher grades through the appropriate support and help with coping strategies.

On deciding to enrol on a Masters in 2005, I paid for a private dyslexia test; the outcome was that I do have dyslexic tendencies especially with respect to my spelling ability, reading and comprehension and processing of information. It was discussed that I have found my own ‘coping strategies’ without support, through my own determination, however this is time consuming and stressful in respect to studying. I also have obscure auditory dysfunction, making audio processing a challenge.

I am now studying Psychology at University (alongside having three small children and a job). As a mature student, I have found the support available to me excellent and responsive so far. I visited the Disability Service team a bit too late for any effect for this term, however am planning to have a top up assessment next term, and hope to get some support in place to make my studies more time effective and efficient! I have yet to undergo the full dyslexia assessment as I was so close to my exams when I discussed my dyslexia with the university, that I decided to wait until my return this semester, when I will pursue the assessment. My communication so far has given me confidence that there is a lot of support available, if I choose to take it up, in respect to my dyslexia, however because I was diagnosed so late on (after my first degree) I have developed my own coping strategies, therefore may find that I am actually now coping with my difficulties without further support.

My employment experience is mainly within the equine industry where, even through my instructor’s training and exams, dyslexia was barely recognised, let alone supported. I did disclose my dyslexia to employers, however this was usually in an informal context, and I was never offered any support. It would have been helpful to have had my dyslexia recognised, and support offered within the work place - perhaps computer packages tailored to my specific learning difficulties, extra time allowances for completion of work, or even someone to check over spellings and numeracy for me on completion of work would be beneficial.

During employment, there was no offer of support or understanding, and it was just a matter of ‘getting on with it’ or ‘struggling, and ‘muddling through’. I coped with this by just working long hours to read through and comprehend the information I needed to learn. Within my job, I teach on a practical level and also have lectured; here my coping strategies were to type lecture notes where I could spell-check, and to practice my lecture content before the lecture to ensure I was able to communicate confidently.

I also have experience working in the equine insurance industry, where my dyslexia was not acknowledged, and certainly not accepted as an 'excuse' for numeracy or spelling errors. The attitude of my employer felt like 'it’s your problem... make sure you don't make mistakes!' Easier said than done with dyslexia, but my coping strategies consisted of checking, checking and double checking my work, using spell-check, and sometimes troubling colleagues to check work for me. The problem this caused me was that my pace appeared slow (but without mistakes)! If I worked at a fast pace without such rigorous checking of my work, I would slip up with spelling and numeracy errors.

I aim to undertake a PGCE next year, and would love to become a psychology teacher, however I constantly worry that my dyslexia will not be recognised or will hold me back. For example I worry that reading assignments will take me a lot of time, I will miss spelling errors of students, and even make spelling mistakes in the classroom! But I am still determined to pursue teaching as a career. I will certainly be understanding and supportive to any students I may encounter with learning difficulties themselves!


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