What does the service do?
Who can use the service?
If you are experiencing study difficulties - how can we help?
If you already have an assessment for dyslexia or some other
formally identified learning issue
How can our services help after you have DSA (UK students) or
after identification of a specific learning difficulty (non-UK
students)
On your first appointment
Contacting the Service
Dyslexia specialist tutors
Weekly study group
We are an academic learning and
study advice service based in the Language and Learning
Centre. We have extensive experience of assisting students who
experience difficulties with aspects of their academic tasks.
As an important part of this role, we provide specialist
advice and services to students with Specific Learning
Difficulties such as: dyslexia, dyspraxia, ADD/ADHD and
conditions such as Asperger’s Syndrome.
Any student registered at the University who is seeking advice
relating to individual study/learning issues. Such concerns
might focus on: organisation and time management, academic
writing, note-taking from lectures, dealing with reading
material, worries about exams (tick-box
profile you could bring to an appointment).
The issues do not have to be extremely serious to merit coming
to us, the fact that you are concerned about them means that
we will respond. We understand that some students are striving
for excellence and we are well placed to offer support and
guidance whatever your current level of progress. We can
re-direct you to other Language and Learning Centre or
University services if we are unable to meet your needs
directly.
Students who use the service range from those studying for
foundation programmes, HNDs, or undergraduate degrees through
to postgraduate researchers. Many of our students are high
achieving in their academic performance.
We recognise that people learn differently and have varying
academic strengths and weaknesses.
We can:
- listen to your concerns, discuss these with you and offer
advice about how you might deal with these
- talk with you about your learning profile and advise you on
whether further specialist assessment is advisable
- carry out initial screening evaluation to help you
understand your individual learning profile
- offer you feedback and advice based on your individual
learning profile
If screening suggests your concerns may be due to dyslexia or
another learning related issue we can:
-
arrange for you to have an educational psychologist’s
assessment (EPA) or advise on an assessment by another
suitable practitioner (please note, EPA reports incur a
professional fee)
- offer guidance on applying for Disabled Student Allowance (DSA)
through your Local Education Authority (UK students)
- provide a Study Needs Assessment which will recommend
adjustments that will help you access your course of study and
can be funded through DSA (UK students)
On arrival at Aberystwyth University you should contact the Language and Learning
Centre as soon as possible to discuss your requirements. We
are also available at the University Open Days and at Freshers’
Support Services Information Fayre in the Main Hall at the
Arts Centre. We can be also contacted directly before
admission.
If you have had an educational psychologist’s assessment in
the past, but have been asked by your LEA to provide an
updated literacy based assessment or Performance Attainment
Assessment (APA), we can arrange to do this here.
On your first appointment:
Please bring the following:
- recent examples of your written work if available (e.g notes
taken during lectures; drafts or completed essays with tutor
comments)
- copies of any previous assessments reports
- copies of any correspondence with your LEA/SLC about your DSA
claim
- a copy of your timetable so that we can arrange future
appointments
How can our services help after you have DSA (UK students) or
after identification of a specific learning difficulty (non-UK
students)?
We can provide:
- ongoing individual specialist tuition with qualified tutors
who will work with you to strengthen your performance, devise
individual learning plans and develop your
confidence in tackling the study tasks
- a year one, credit-bearing module, Effective Management of
Academic Tasks, aimed at increasing your understanding and
effectiveness in the skills you need for university study (ask
about this prior to entry to university or at the Support
Services Information Fayre at the beginning of Freshers’ week)
- weekly study sessions (Wednesdays) where you can meet other
students, exchange ideas and experiences and look at coping
strategies for a range of study experiences
- weekly informal physical exercise sessions aimed at
improving: concentration, memory, coordination and relaxation.
- liaison with your academic department or others within the
University, with your permission
- updates on information about this service through the email
discussion list 4u (with your agreement)
- reviews and updates of your current study needs, with your
cooperation
Contacting the Service
- Call in between 10am and 4pm at the Language and Learning Centre office any
weekday to register for services, arrange an appointment or
seek advice
-
Phone: 01970 621906
-
Fax: 01970 622546
-
Email: dyslexia@aber.ac.uk
Or write to:
Pauline Worthington
The Coordinator: Academic Learning Curriculum Access/Dyslexia
Service
Language & Learning Centre
Llandinam Building
Penglais Campus
Aberystwyth University
Ceredigion
SY23 3DB
Dyslexia specialist tutors
Pauline
Worthington
Janet Rolands
Barbara Jones
Jennifer Horgan
