Helpline
Helpline Q & A
Question:
My employers have failed to put Reasonable adjustments in place to support me at work even though I disclosed my dyslexia to them. Where can I get legal support and advice?
Answer:
Dyslexia is recognised as a disability under the Equality Act 2010 and as such, should be supported in the workplace. We have general information about support for employees with dyslexia, including information about performance reviews and tribunals on our website however, we would always advise getting specialist legal advice. You could contact your Union representative or ACAS for further information: In the workplace - British Dyslexia Association (bdadyslexia.org.uk)
Some universities run free clinics where law students give advice and support to people and there are several organisations which give free legal advice. You can find details below:
Advocate (formerly the Bar Pro Bono Unit) www.weareadvocate.org.uk – free advice from trainee barristers
Free Representation Unit www.thefru.org.uk free representation for social security and employment hearings
LawWorks www.lawworks.org.uk free advice from volunteer lawyers
Question:
I am a 32 year old adult. What’s the point of me getting a Diagnostic Assessment?
Answer:
Many adults find that a diagnostic assessment helps them to understand the challenges which they have faced throughout their life and this can help them to alter and develop coping strategies which focus on their strengths. If you are unsure if you want to have a full diagnostic assessment then you could consider doing an online screener which would provide you with an identification of traits which could indicate dyslexia.
If you are returning to Higher Education then you would be able to apply for Disabled Student Allowance and some professional qualifications require evidence of dyslexia in order to get exam support.
You can request a Workplace Needs support without a formal diagnostic assessment but the information from a report can help you to target adjustments to support your strengths and weaknesses.
Question:
I believe that all school-aged children should have access to a funded full diagnostic assessment if necessary. What can I do to highlight this issue?
Answer:
The British Dyslexia Association works towards creating a dyslexia friendly society for all. You can find out more about our work and our involvement in the All Party Parliamentary Group for Dyslexia and Special Educational Needs plus you can find out how you can support our work on our website: https://www.bdadyslexia.org.uk/about. You could consider writing to your local MP.
Question:
I believe that all school-aged children should have access to a funded full diagnostic assessment if necessary. What can I do to highlight this issue?
Answer:
The British Dyslexia Association works towards creating a dyslexia friendly society for all. You can find out more about our work and our involvement in the All Party Parliamentary Group for Dyslexia and Special Educational Needs plus you can find out how you can support our work on our website: https://www.bdadyslexia.org.uk/about. You could consider writing to your local MP.
Question:
I work for a support agency for adults and have a client who wants to learn to read. Where can I signpost them?
Answer:
Your local FE college may run adult literacy courses and some Disability services in Jobcentreplus offices may have information about support in the area. Read Easy is a nationwide charity where volunteers will work one-to-one with clients teaching them to read: https://readeasy.org.uk/ Your local dyslexia association would have information about support groups or mentoring schemes in your area: https://www.bdadyslexia.org.uk...
Question:
What should I say to parents who feel that the school should implement all the recommendations from a child’s diagnostic assessment?
Answer:
Parents need to understand that there is not necessarily any additional funding or additional resources available following a diagnostic assessment and it can be difficult to explain why some of the recommendations cannot be implemented and that others can be only partially accommodated. Eg if the report recommends that a child needs a computer you might need to explain if the school cannot provide one but offer to share ideas for programs which the child can use at home like touch typing or spelling resources.
It is important to listen to the parent’s concerns and to give positive feedback about the child’s progress and attainment in class as well as the areas where he or she still need support. In some cases, the parents may not be aware of the nature of any existing support so you will need to describe what is in place and the rationale behind it and link it to areas of the formal assessment. For example, parents might not appreciate that small group work in class or differentiation in teaching or learning outcomes is targeted to the needs of their child and addresses some of the areas highlighted on the assessment report
By sharing the child’s targets and giving the parents ideas of activities which, they can do at home to support learning parents can be actively involved in supporting their child and referring directly to the report recommendations helps the parents to appreciate that their child’s needs are being addressed.
Question:
I’m dyslexic and I’m struggling to find work or even to know what job would suit me. I don’t know how to get career’s advice that would help me work out what my own strengths or weaknesses are.
Answer:
Exceptional Individuals is a social enterprise that supports people who are dyslexic (or neurodiverse) into employment. They provide free mentoring and coaching programmes, dyslexia workplace needs assessments and will even check your CV for you.
Website: https://exceptionalindividuals.com/
Question:
I have recently had a Workplace needs assessment but none of the recommendations have been put into place. What should I do?
Answer:
An employer has a legal duty under the Equality Act 2010 to make appropriate reasonable adjustments to reduce the impact that a disability has on a person's ability to perform effectively in their role. You can find further information about the role of the employer on our website: https://www.bdadyslexia.org.uk/advice/employers
In some instances, there can be confusion between the employee and the employer about who is responsible for implementing reasonable adjustments so it is important to meet with your manager or HR department to clarify what actions will be take and by whom. In some cases, the employer or employee may prefer not to implement all the reasonable adjustments in one go and this is fine as long as there are dates in place to review current provision and to discuss any next steps which the employee feels are necessary.
Examples of reasonable adjustments can be found here: https://www.bdadyslexia.org.uk/advice/adults/in-the-workplace/reasonable-adjustments-in-the-workplace
Funding for workplace support can be obtained via an application to Access to Work: https://www.gov.uk/access-to-work
Question:
I was diagnosed with dyslexia when I was in school but I can't find my report, can you help?
Answer:
There is no central register of people who have had diagnostic assessments and schools and Universities must adhere to GDPR regulations so do not have records dating back more than 7 years.
If you could remember the name of the assessor it may be possible to track down him or her but again, they may no longer have copies of the assessment after a long period of time.
For further information about booking a diagnostic assessment please see: https://www.bdadyslexia.org.uk/services/assessments
Question:
How can I find dyslexia support in my area?
Answer:
You can use this link on our website to find a Local Dyslexia Association:
https://www.bdadyslexia.org.uk/contact/find-a-local-dyslexia-association
There are likely to be additional support groups in your area and you could contact your local library or search online on sites such as Facebook.
Question:
I am due to start University in September and want to make sure that I am accessing all the support available to me. Where should I begin?
Answer:
If you have a diagnostic report by an appropriately qualified assessor, you can apply for the Disabled Students Allowances and access a range of support through them: https://bit.ly/3uDkJP8
We also recommend that you contact the Student Support Services in your university to ask about any services which they offer. You should also make sure that you contact your course tutors and ask them about subject specific help and guidance.
If you wish to request exam access arrangements for your course, you should discuss how to apply for this before the exams and if you have concerns about the timing of the exams or the due dates of course work then it is vital to discuss this in advance. If, for example you have exams and course work due at the same time you could discuss an extension or completing your course work before the due date so you are not overwhelmed by the volume of work at one time.
Question:
Can adults be assessed by Specialist Teachers?Answer:
Both Specialist Teachers and Educational Psychologists can diagnose dyslexia in adults and children and can make recommendations about how individuals can best be supported. There may be some instances where an Educational Psychologist needs to be used instead of a Specialist Teacher, for example where an individual has complex or multiple needs. Where an assessment is being used to support disciplinary/dismissal/tribunal activities we would recommend an Educational or Occupational Psychologist carries out the assessment.
Question:
I am learning English but think that I am dyslexic. How do I arrange a diagnostic assessment?
Answer:
To be assessed for dyslexia a person needs to have been regularly speaking English for a reasonable amount of time. This is because the tests used are heavily influenced by an English-speaking culture. In addition, you need to be able to read, write and spell in English. If an assessment is carried out before then the assessor can’t make a definitive diagnosis which would mean a re-test may be needed at a later date.
Question:
What is the difference between a Screener and a diagnostic assessment?
Answer:
A screener can give an indication of dyslexic traits but the only way that dyslexia can be formally identified is by a qualified assessor who can determine the precise nature of difficulties and outline how they can best be supported.
Question:
What is dyscalculia and how can I be tested for it?
Answer:
Dyscalculia is a specific difficulty understanding and recognising numbers which can cause difficulties with Maths. We have more information on our website: Dyscalculia and maths difficulties - British Dyslexia Association (bdadyslexia.org.uk) Additionally we have a free webinar in our shop called, "What is dyscalculia?"
The BDA has a booking service for assessments and you would need to request one of our assessors who is able to assess for dyscalculia on the booking form. We will then be able to put you in contact with a BDA approved assessor who can organise and carry out an assessment for you. All arrangements including payment are organised directly with the assessor: www.bdadyslexia.org.uk/services/assessments/diagnostic-assessments
Question:
How can we make sure that our child gets appropriate Access Arrangements for GCSE and A Level exams?
Answer:
In order to have access arrangements for GCSEs, A Levels and a range of other qualifications, testing for the exam application has to be completed internally by the school or college. A diagnostic test is not accepted.
Here you can see a YouTube video which we produced to explain the process for applying for exam access arrangements and the Form 8 required as evidence.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3hgRcGVwn4g
For up to date regulations the school would be well versed with the JCQ Guidelines https://www.jcq.org.uk/exams-office/access-arrangements-and-special-consideration/regulations-and-guidance/
Question:
Where can I find information about booking an assessment for dyslexia?
Answer:
We have information about Assessment and a booking pack on our website: Assessments - British Dyslexia Association (bdadyslexia.org.uk)
Question:
How can I access support from my University?
Answer:
A learner with dyslexia has to apply for funding through the Disabled Students Allowances (DSA) and the needs are then assessed through an Access Centre. Your Student Disability Office or University Learning Support Services should be able to provide more information about this. We also advise that you share any challenges you are having with your course Tutors so they can direct you to any course-specific support.
We have further information on our website: Higher Education - British Dyslexia Association (bdadyslexia.org.uk)
Question:
We are keen to support a colleague with dyslexia and would like some guidance about the kinds of reasonable adjustment which would help them. Please can you advise us?
Answer:
We have some information specifically for Employers about creating a dyslexia friendly workplace and supporting dyslexic colleagues on our website: Employer - British Dyslexia Association (bdadyslexia.org.uk)
You may also wish to consider a Workplace Needs Assessment which would assess your colleagues needs at work and give specific advice: Workplace Needs Assessment - British Dyslexia Association (bdadyslexia.org.uk)
Question:
How could I find and access local support for adults with dyslexia?