Creative + intuitive + empathic + lateral + inventive + entrepreneurial + determined + imaginative + inquisitive + unique = dyslexic

Hello there blog readers hope you are all feeling fab

We dyslexics need support in education not because we are disabled but because our education system from primary to higher is a dyslexia unfriendly place to be. 

University Students in the UK can apply for Disabled Students allowance for example. This can be used to buy assistive technology and dyslexia support. This means we have to declare ourselves as disabled and that the issue is with us. This, unsurprisingly, forgets,how dyslexia unfriendly our education system can be for dyslexics. This issue in education is not with we dyslexics but with our education system that fails to meet our learning needs.

Parents can apply for support for their dyslexic children at school. But how many parents have to fight long and hard to get the support their child needs before they get it?

I did a little research on when and where dyslexics are getting a dyslexia assessment and it showed that only around 20% of adults were actually assessed at school. The vast majority were assessed as students at college or university. This means there must be many, many dyslexics out there who never find out they are dyslexic. This cannot be right surely?

Next year will be my 20th year anniversary as a dyslexia specialist and 23rd as an inclusion specialist. I have no idea at all how many dyslexic students I have supported or people I have supported in the workplace etc. 

All I will say is almost everything I learned and understand about dyslexia came from the students I have had the pleasure to work with. 

It wasn't work really it was total enjoyment. Here is a little feedback given to me by students:

Ally wrote:

"Stephen is extremely helpful, supporting and friendly. Over the past few months he has helped me to overcome issues which I have encountered whilst at University. I now feel able to approach my final year with confidence".

Sarah said: 

“I had one to one support with Steve from Dyslexia Pathways who was great. We worked on different techniques together such as how to effectively read and ways to develop my memory skills. This time last year I was in a mess due to stress and anxiety due to dyslexia and coping with university life. I didn’t feel able to cope. I know now that I have the ability to excel in university".

Colin said:

"The support and guidance that Steve from Dyslexia Pathways has provided has allowed me to focus my attention on strategies that enable me to overcome my dyslexia using my personal strengths."

 Margaret said:

"The dyslexia support that Steve from Dyslexia Pathways gave me increased my confidence in my own abilities and enhanced my self esteem."

 Emma said:

"For the first time I have completed a piece of work with time to spare to review it. Felt this was because I was taught how to structure time and to complete small tasks each week."

Gary Said:

"Last year before I started working with Steve from Dyslexia Pathways, I failed my course and exams. This meant I had to take my first year at university again. After receiving support from Steve, I managed to pass my exam and course work and move into my second year."

Snippets of other feedback

"Stephen, the dyslexia specialist, may seem to you to be an average person at first. But after five minutes of talking with him I realised he was not. His ability to talk with me about my particular dyslexia issues and enable me to overcome them was phenomenal."

"Dyslexia Support has helped me to progress. I feel more confident going into my exams using plans and mind map study skills. It has made me realise the importance of the little things I needed to do to be able to do my best."

"Confidence in my own abilities has increased and I have a clearer view on how to structure essays. Self esteem has greatly improved as has my confidence."

"I know where I am going and feel much more confident in my studies."

Some of you may know that about 10 weeks ago I experienced two heart attacks and had to have two stents fitted. The heart attacks impacted on my eye sight and blood sugars also. 

I am happy to say I am on the road to recovery and starting to get my head back into work mode again. 

My blood sugars are back under control again and I have my eye sight back. it has been difficult times but I have come through it with the help of my family and friends.

The Future

I have set up a gofundme page to raise funds to help keep my social enterprise going while I am recovering. To help pay for my websites and keep my organisation running.

I will be starting my dyslexia university work in October and running more training sessions etc.

I have uploaded new dyslexia and neurodifference logo designs to our on line shop and I am in the middle of writing a new business plan.


Please consider contributing to my gofundme and share it on your social media.

https://www.gofundme.com/DyslexiaPathwaysCIC

Many thanks for reading and to all those who have contributed and shared my go fund me

peace love and groovyness to all

Steve