I found out recently that I have dyslexia. What are some things that I can do without taking any programs?

Question

I am a first year freshman in college and I don't have the time or money to take programs that can help me

Answer 1

First off, colored films or lenses do NOT help people with dyslexia. They help with a particular vision problem that also impacts reading, and is occassionally mistaken for dyslexia. Anyone who claims that colored films or lenses can cure dyslexia needs to get their head out of their a** and quit talking about things they know nothing about.

Now, on to things that might actually help...

If you've been formally diagnosed as dyslexic, you're entitled to certain accomidations that will help you get through school. One thing is that you can get extra time on exams. That will help a lot of you're a slow reader (and if you're not, well, then I'm betting you were misdiagnosed).

You're also entitled to audio recordings of reading materials. There's an organization called Reading for the Blind and Dyselxic that provides audio recordings of most books to people with any disability that impairs their ability to read print. If they don't have a book you need, they'll actually record it for you given enough advanced warning. Personally I can't stand their recordings, but they did get me through my required 1st year humanies course. Your school library might also have books on tape, and the disability office might have some recordings of some books, particularly ones that are required of all first year students.

Your school may provide various services including note-takers for lectures if you have trouble with writing, and various tutoring services that are aimed specifically at learning disabilities (as opposed to tutoring for people who are struggling with a particular class). Those would all be provided free of charge.

Apart from that, it's just a matter of finding what works with you to deal with whatever you have trouble with. For instance, I take most of my lecture notes on my laptop so I can avoid writing things out by hand (believe it or not, an awkward pencil grip is actually typical of dyslexic people, in addition to the obvious handwriting and spelling issues), and I've learned to get through my classes doing surprisingly little of the assigned reading.

Try to pick classes that play to your strengths. If you enjoy the subject enough that you don't mind putting in a lot of extra time and effort then that's great. But otherwise, if you're really struggling to keep up with the reading in your calculus class, signing up for a course in English Literature probably isn't the best idea (unless you really love the material and are happy to spend 10 hours a day on it).

Finally, don't be afraid to ask for help when you need it. You can always go to your school's student services or disability services (whoever coordinates these things) with any problems you're having. But if you're having problems with a particular class, you can also go to the professor about it. They might be able to help you to narrow in on which parts of the reading are most important if you can do it all, or that kind of a thing.

Answer 2

I am 56 years old and didn't have a clue of what dyslexia was. But I do remember in 1st grade wondering how any one could ever learn to read. To me the letters were all mixed up. To me......the, there, them, those, these, etc all confused me.
In second grade the teacher told my parents I didn't know how to read. I had memorized all the pictures and the words that went with the pictures. It was my own way to survive.

Your own brain has probably already come up with ways to cope with your dyslexia or you wouldn't be in college.

I actually became a nurse, which considering my learning disabilities was amazing. I figured out I had to do three things to learn.......hear, write, hear again. To make it through some of the tough college classes, I would read my class notes out loud and tape them, then rewrite them, Then I would listen to the tapes in the car, while I took a bath and right before sleep. I got all A's and B's When I worked as a nurse I kept a multiplication table in my pocket to make sure I didn't make any mistakes when dosing out medication.

Figure out your best way of learning things. It might take you more work than other, but you are very smart (many of us who are dyslexic are) and you deserve a good education. And what you learn will stay with you. Don't ever let your dyslexia be your excuse for not doing anything. Learn to accept it as an extra special challenge but you are worth it.

Answer 3

I also have some trouble with dyslexia, and have all my life.

One thing you can try is putting a ring on one hand and never take it off. That will help you recognize left from right. I didn't do that, but I do have a number of scars from a fight with a barbed wire fence that served the same purpose.

Do your professors know about your problem? Maybe they can make suggestions about who you can see locally. Meanwhile, keep on pushing.

Good luck!

Answer 4

Practice reading. Take the simplest book you can find and read it until its not jumbled as much and then move up to harder books. My friend has dyslexia.

Answer 5

go to the reading dept. at school and see if they have any colored films. They are usually pink blue green or yellow. Hold them one at a time over a page in a book to find out which one if any makes the words less jumbled. I use a yellow transparency film and my son uses a green one. Something to do with the color switches our brain/eye stuff and makes it easier to read After you figure out what color you need you can get glasses with that color lenses so you do not have to keep up with the film.

Answer 6

my son also is ddyslexic and he takes strattera to help him focus better , he struggles with his school work but averages a's & b's , another way to help is to get a friend read your material to you then let you answer a few questions about what they just read , and your college might have something there that can help, like assignments on the computer , good luck