[senco-forum] request

Hi Stuart.
My son has dyslexia but it wasn't not diagnosed until he was 13 partly
due to the fact that the LEA at that time didn't consider it to be a
problem. By that time he had given up on education and considered school
to be just a place for social contact with friends. He flitted from job
to job. In fact I reckon he had more jobs than I had hot dinners. 

Eventually he came to me and said he wanted to go back to college to do
an access course as he felt there was more to life than doing what he
was doing. He was 20 at this time. He went to a local college where they
offered support in his studies. He found it hard work but for once he
stuck to it and eventually got a HND in media studies. Although he did
some work in local radio he still wasn't happy and started working in an
old peoples home where he often attended the hospital. He eventually
decided to work as an auxiliary nurse in the intensive care unit. Within
12 months he decided that was what he wanted to do. He is now in his 3rd
year at Uni and, although it is always hard work, he loves what he is
doing. The support he has had from the university has been brilliant.
They have helped with all aspects of the work both English and Maths. He
acknowledges that he may well not have got through it all if it hadn't
been for the staff. He was also prepared to ask for help when he wasn't
sure about things. 

The use of a computer has been invaluable. He hasn't wanted the speaking
programs that many students use but I know it is available to him if
ever he decided he wants it.

Any student but particularly one experiencing problems must first and
foremost want to do the work. Next they really need staff who understand
and who they can work with. Not all the staff Paul had treated him like
an adult and this he objects to. 

As a starting point I suppose for Paul it was going on an Access Course
at the local college and getting success. There is nothing like success
to breed success.

My son is now 29 and I think has eventually found his place in life. It
has been a long hard road but tell your young man not to give up. He has
a good brain and there is something that he will find interesting. 

I wish I could be of more help as I know what this young man and his
family are going through. I do wish him all the luck in the world.

Angie D

-----Original Message-----
From: senco-forum-bounces at lists.becta.org.uk
[mailto:senco-forum-bounces at lists.becta.org.uk] On Behalf Of Stuart
Lucas
Sent: 13 June 2007 16:59
To: senco-forum
Subject: [senco-forum] request - adult dyslexic

Just had a wee request pass by my desk -

Person now 25 -

Dyslexia and cannot read or write - now self-esteem issues -

Cannot hold down a job - father in high powered job -

Have tried school/private tuition and so forth -

Before I start my search - oh, this is the start - go to the best first!

Any ideas for a young man at his wits end - not to mention the family -

Will put together an email to father and mention -

Dyslexia Scotland - have also got a tutor lined up to try again for the
reading -

And BDA helpline -

Tks for any who have first hand account of similar type difficulty 

Ta very mucha

Stuart