DYSPRAXIA:
a factsheet for students
Contents
What is dyspraxia
1
What are the symptoms
2
Some tips for university
3
Useful websites / books
5
1. What is dyspraxia? “ Developmental dyspraxia is an impairment or immaturity of the organisation of movement. It is an immaturity in the way that the brain processes information, which results in messages not being properly or fully transmitted. Dyspraxia affects the planning of what to do and how to do it. It is associated with problems of perception, language and thought.� (www.dyspraxiafoundation.org.uk) So it affects co-ordination and planning, both in space and in time. It also often affects spelling and writing. It is not related to intelligence. Many people with dyspraxia are creative, lateral thinkers with a lot to offer at university and can do very well with the right support.
2. What are the symptoms? In childhood: Late to sit, stand, walk and talk Difficulty learning how to run, hop, catch a ball Tend to avoid sports, especially team games Poor sense of balance Difficulty in learning to dress, tie shoelaces, knot a tie Fall over a lot, drop things – known as „clumsy‟ Untidy handwriting and difficulty in copying
Still clumsy, dropping and breaking things – accident-prone Difficulty with shaving, putting on make-up Difficulty with organisation, untidy Difficulty with time management, meeting deadlines Difficulty with spelling, punctuation, organising an essay Difficulty keeping their place when reading Poor memory and sequencing.
Later: Difficulty with co-ordination, sense of direction, telling left from right Difficulty in learning to drive
For a full list of symptoms, see www.dyspraxiafoundation.org.uk
3. Some tips for university Make an appointment with the Disability and Dyslexia Service: 018952 65213, email disability@brunel.ac.uk
Make a colourful, weekly timetable to plan your time and put in social and leisure things first; review it weekly until it‟s realistic
Apply for a Disabled
Allowance
Write a ‘To Do’ list in order of priority; tick things off as you do them
Use your study skills support regularly
Stick post-it note reminders on your door or your mirror
To organise your life, use diaries, calendars or your mobile phone calendar
Finish one task before you start another
Student‟s
Use mind-maps and flowcharts to help plan work Go over your notes immediately after a lecture and then again later, and again…. it‟ll make revision easier
Read exam questions at least twice and highlight key words
Plan each answer before you start to write
When revising, make big posters and stick them up in your bedroom
Give yourself rewards for getting an assignment in on time, or getting a particular job done
In exams, give each question a certain amount of time and watch the clock
Don’t be hard on yourself – you can do it
Useful websites: www.dyspraxiafoundation.org.uk www.dyspraxicadults.org.uk Useful books: “Dyspraxia: The Hidden Handicap”, Dr Amanda Kirby, 2002, Souvenir Press. “Living with Dyspraxia”, M Colley and the Adult Support Group, Dyspraxia Foundation.
Disability and Dyslexia Service Tel: 01895 265213 | Email: disability@brunel.ac.uk | Web: www.brunel.ac.uk/disability Opening hours: Monday-Friday 9am to 4.30pm | Drop-ins: Wednesday 1-4pm