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1. |
If they still need help - discuss the problem with them. If they agree, go ahead and find appropriate help. If unwilling, wait. |
2. |
Discuss with the school the choice and number of subjects to be taken in exams. Important factors are their interests, previous success and their hopes for the future. Success in fewer subjects could be preferable to taking too many, with added pressure and possible failure. |
3. |
Encourage success in activities out of school e.g. football, chess, games, hobbies etc. It is helpful if these activities include mixing with other people, as some dyslexics can find this a problem. |
4. |
The school may, at their own discretion, offer concessions during school exams and at Key Stage 3 assessment. Contact the Principal and discuss this. |
5. |
In the summer term, before they begin their two year GCSE courses, contact the school and ask for details of the examining boards they will be using for different subjects. Telephone or write to discover the allowances they make for dyslexic students and how these can be obtained. Discuss the pros and cons of having extra time with your child and abide by his wishes. This may need a full scale report from an Educational Psychologist and this must be done within a given time limit. |
6. |
At a later date, when applying for jobs and colleges and universities, discover as much as is possible about the job or the courses so that the young person will have the maximum chance of fulfilling his potential. Many colleges of Further Education and Universities have specialist dyslexia support units - inquire when deciding on which College or University to choose. |
7. |
When considering future careers look into all the possible ways of obtaining the chosen goal. Often it is helpful to choose an HNC and HND course, rather than a degree. It may take longer to achieve the goal, but the steps would be easier. If the chosen course includes practical work and a written project, which can be done at the candidate's own pace and counts towards the exam, it could be very helpful. |
8. |
People with dyslexia often seem to mature later than their friends, so they still need a great deal of listening to, and encouraging to keep them going. |
9. |
This can be a hard time for concerned parents because so often all that can be done is to stand back and watch. Young people can be very stubborn about accepting help and if they do not want it, then it will not benefit them at all. This probably causes further distress all round if they are made to receive it. Rejoice greatly with their successes and commiserate with their failure. Be as positive as possible. |