My Dyslexia Story: Grace Barham

Diagnosis and early awareness

I was diagnosed with dyslexia in January 2024, which was during my first year of university, where I study dance. I have always struggled with reading, writing and maths. From year 8, my history teacher tried to get me extra time at school, as I could never finish any of my exams. It wasn't until year 13 that my school granted me extra time for my last set of A levels, as I apparently wasn't on the system yet for my mocks. I never got told the reasoning for my diagnosis. It wasn't until speaking with my academic advisor in first year university about my extra time when they mentioned about seeking help and support from the learning and disability team, which is what started my diagnosis journey. 

Challenges and strengths

Dyslexia has negatively impacted me academically and has caused mental health problems. It has also caused physical problems, which aren't spoken about or researched enough. I am a dancer so things such as memory, left right confusion, directional changes, spatial orientation, processing, and reversals. However, strengths include: creativity and imagination, visualisation, personal qualities and empathy.

Support and what helped

I only received support during my third year of university, where I was given technology and equipment to help with my studies, along with a one-to-one tutor. The difference of having a one-to-one tutor and technology made such a huge positive impact, which was reflected in my grades and mental health. I wouldn't have completed or survived third year without my one-to-one tutor.

Achievements and milestones

I have recently completed my dissertation essay on “What are the potential impacts of contemporary dancers' technical training in higher education?” and my presentation was “What are the effecting teaching strategies to support students with dyslexia." The practical side of dyslexia isn't researched, spoken about enough or treated the same way as academia. The rationale for completing this topic was to educate myself and others on how dyslexia affects me in a dance setting (which can be related to other practical settings), raise awareness on the challenges and strengths, and try to pave the way for a more dyslexia-friendly teaching style in dance. It was my dissertation that has led me to get in contact with the BDA to raise awareness on the matter but also to see what can be done to help and educate others on this matter. 

Advice to others

Dyslexia is your superpower; don't let it define you! Yes, it can be challenging, but it makes you unique and enables you to become who you are. You can achieve anything you put your mind to, it just might take a bit more time and effort to do so. Educate yourself and others around you about what it is and learn how it impacts you. Speak to others about it, don't be afraid.

Reflections and message

Dyslexia is so much more than reading and writing. More conversations and research needs to be done on the practical side of dyslexia.