ADULTS WITH DYSLEXIADyslexia is often thought of as a problem of childhood. In fact it is a lifelong condition. It will not go away if it is ignored. If Dyslexia is not identified and if specific appropriate help is not provided the ill effects can last into adulthood. The result may well be a lifetime of underachievement and frustration. Dyslexia is not as easy to identify in adults as it is in children because adults will usually have developed ways of coping with or hiding a reading problem. The following is a list of questions for any adult who thinks she/he may be dyslexic.
Many people will say yes to some of these questions. Some people will say yes to many of them. If you are one of those people and you think that you might have a Specific Learning Difficulty/Dyslexia, then you may want to have a full psycho-educational assessment. PSYCHO-EDUCATIONAL ASSESSMENTAs an adult you have to arrange for your own assessment. There is no state provision, even for people who are unemployed or who have a medical card. The Dyslexia Association of Ireland arranges psycho-educational assessments at its Dublin Office. A fee of €400 is usually charged for this service. Please contact us for further information, or if you would like to place someone on our assessment waiting list. If the cost of an assessment with the DAI is a problem for you, please talk to us about it. We try to help wherever possible, although our resources are limited. The assessment takes between two and three hours and it is done by a psychologist. It includes intelligence testing and tests of reading and spelling levels. A feedback session is given immediately and a written report is supplied later. Advice on the type of tuition is given and referral can be made for individual tuition. There are also many independent private educational psychologists, throughout the country. A list of registered psychologists can be obtained from the Psychological Society of Ireland's website at www.psihq.ie, by emailing the Society at info@psihq.ie or by writing to the Society at CX House, 2A Corn Exchange Place, Poolbeg St., Dublin 2. TUITIONThe DAI offers tuition for adults, including third level students, in reading, spelling, essay writing, study skills and exam techniques. This tuition is designed for people with Dyslexia and is given by specifically trained teachers. A fee is usually charged. This is not part of the adult literacy programme and meets a very different set of needs. Career Paths for People with DyslexiaThis course is sponsored by DAI, and funded by FÁS, the Department of Education and Science, and DAI. It is a six-month, full-time course, with ongoing enrolment. The course is held in Celbridge, Co. Kildare. The Course Code is AT58F. The course aims to develop the literacy skills, knowledge and experience of adults with Dyslexia to a standard to enable them to enter the labour force. Course Content:
The training method consists of presentations and tutorial input which includes practical projects. Participants can work towards FÁS certification in:
This course is open to any unemployed person over 18 years of age who has been diagnosed with Dyslexia. Adults who feel they might have a Specific Learning Difficulty (Dyslexia), but who have never been formally assessed, should contact DAI to arrange an assessment. Funding may be available. For further information please contact any FÁS office and ask about Course Code AT58F, or contact any of the following: Emma Matthews, Course Supervisor. Tel: 01 6270805 and email careerpath@eircom.net
New Evening Class for Adults with DyslexiaDAI in conjunction with FÁS are now offering a new evening class for adults with dyslexia, which takes place in the Career Paths centre in Celbridge. This course is offered over 10 evenings, in a block of two evenings per week for five weeks. This course is free for unemployed adults. The course focuses on developing literacy skills and basic computer skills. The aim of this course is to enable adults with Dyslexia to re-enter the workforce and/or undertake further training skills. This course gives them the confidence to better manage their Dyslexia. For further information please contact any FÁS office and ask about Course Code Q195, or contact Emma Matthews, Course Supervisor at 01 6270805 or email careerpath@eircom.net. New Information Resources for Adults
At the 2009 Annual Conference of the Dyslexia Association of Ireland, two new information resources for adults were launched by Aine Brady, TD, Junior Minister
for Older People and Health Promotion. They are an introductory leaflet for adults on dyslexia, and a more comprehensive book called "Living with Dyslexia:
Information for Adults with Dyslexia". Hard copies are available from the DAI office. Both can also be accessed online
(PDF format) by clicking on the links below:
COMPUTERS AND ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGYRecent developments in computer technology have revolutionised the lives of people with reading and spelling difficulties. Some of the more high-tech equipment is costly, but many very useful aids cost just a few euros. LOW-PRICED TECHNIQUES Some simple techniques which have proved useful:
MEDIUM-PRICED EQUIPMENT Franklin Spellmaster - Hand Held Electronic Dictionary It is simpler to use than a conventional dictionary because if a phonetic version of a word is typed in, it will give the correct spelling. Available from Argos, Easons, Mr. Calculator, Duke Street, Dublin 2. Cost approx. €40. Quicktionary Reading Pen A hand held pen containing PCR software which enables it to scan and read single words and phrases. It has a dictionary of 200,000 words. Available from iAnsyst Ltd., The White House, 72 Fen Road, Cambridge, CB4 1UN, England. Tel: 0044-1223-420101. Cost approx. £200 Sterling. Hand Held Tape Recorder A simple micro-cassette recorder could be invaluable for recording phone messages, names, addresses, orders, instructions and any other information which would usually be written down. Available from any good electronic equipment shop. Cost up to €150 depending on model. Hand Held Electronic Organiser These come in a variety of models and prices but can provide the same benefits as the tape recorder. They are also now very socially acceptable. Available from any good electronic equipment shop. HIGH-TECH SOLUTIONS Word processors with grammar and spell check are commonplace but more recently developed items such as scanners, screen readers and voice-operated software may not be as familiar. A lot of specialist software is also available to help with reading, spelling, writing and organisational skills. Computer, Printer and Word Processor Packages These are standard office equipment. For those about to invest in a home computer, you should expect to pay from €1,000 upwards. Scanners A scanner allows any printed material to be input to a computer. This means a person with Dyslexia can scan in any document and have it read back by a screen reading programme. Scanners can cost as little as €120, but as with most things, the better, faster scanners will be more expensive. Screen Reading Programmes Screen reading programmes will read aloud text on a computer. This can include material which has been scanned into the computer, word processed documents or even the internet. Some screen readers can even read some European languages. Examples of screen readers are Kurzweil (€1,000), one of the best and most expensive, as well as more reasonably priced options, e.g. Texthelp (under €200). Voice Operated Software Voice operated software allows the user to dictate material onto a computer without worrying about spelling. One of the better voice operated programmes is Dragon Dictate (approx. €150). RESOURCESSPECIALIST SUPPLIERSAndrews Award Systems, 38 Pine Valley Park, Rathfarnham, Dublin 16. Computerspeak, Guinness Enterprise Centre, Taylor's Lane, Dublin 8. Diskovery, Unit 2, Waveney, Howth Harbour, Co. Dublin. EasyPC, Unit M7, Smithtown Industrial Estate, Shannon, Co. Clare. Edtech Software Ltd., Murrisk, Westport, Co. Mayo. iAnsyst Ltd., The White House, 72 Fen Road, Cambridge CB4 1UN, England. Jackson Technology Ltd., 23 Kiltipper Avenue, Tallaght, Dublin 24. Scanning Pens Limited, PO Box 1259, London, SW1V 4BR, United Kingdom.
Texthelp Systems Ltd., Enkalon Business Centre, 25 Randalstown Road, Antrim, DYSLEXIA ORGANISATIONSDyslexia Association of Ireland, 1 Suffolk Street, Dublin 2.
British Dyslexia Association, Unit 8, Bracknell Beeches, Old Bracknell Lane, Bracknell RG12 7BW, England. Northern Ireland Dyslexia Association European Dyslexia Association
Adult Dyslexia Organisation, 336 Brighton Road, London SW9 7AA. Adult Dyslexia Centre, Second Floor, 1-7 Woburn Walk, London WC1H 0JJ. BOOKS ON ADULTS AND DYSLEXIABartlett, D. and Moody, S. Heaton, P. and Mitchell, G. Goodwin, V. and Thomson, B. McLoughlin et al Michelson, C. Miles, T.R. and Gilroy, D. Reid, G. and Kirk, J. Arts and Dyslexia IrelandArts and Dyslexia Ireland is a new arts group specifically set up for people with dyslexia. It is a not for profit group and was established in 2009 by dyslexic adults and professional artists. The aim of the group is to establish workshops and courses for young people, teenagers, university students and adults (based on demand) who wish to develop and enhance their creative abilities in a fun and social setting. An open evening will take place on the 27th of January at 6.30pm and all ages are welcome to attend. A basic digital photography course will take place on the 3rd of February for nine weeks at the Digital Hub Development Agency. Registration is also taking place for a ten week Introduction to Drawing course. The courses will be structured according to age range and experience. A discounted fee of €100 will apply to students and the unwaged. If you are interested in the courses mentioned or would like to register your interest for other courses, a photo shoot or a social event please complete the registration form on our website; www.artsanddyslexia.com. Contact Maria McLoughlin on 086 - 664 9477 if you have any queries or would like further information regarding Arts and Dyslexia. |
