Supporting Adult and Adolescent Students with Dyslexia

Understand what it’s like to study with dyslexia

It’s estimated that around five to 15% of the world’s population is dyslexic. Despite being such a widespread condition, dyslexia continues to have a significant impact on students’ learning and wellbeing.

On this three-week course from Central Queensland University, you’ll discover what it means to study with dyslexia. You’ll learn about the causes and impacts of the condition, and explore how the curriculum could be made more accessible to dyslexic students.

Delve into the causes and impacts of dyslexia

Dyslexia is a neurodevelopmental condition affecting a person’s ability to read, write, and spell.

You’ll start by investigating the causes and impacts of dyslexia, focusing specifically on difficulties associated with reading.

Home in on the characteristics of dyslexia in adults

Adults with dyslexia may feel less comfortable discussing their condition and the difficulties it causes.

You’ll take a closer look at how dyslexia presents in adults, and identify ways of supporting adult students.

Understand Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and its recommendations for accessibility

Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is a set of guidelines designed to improve accessibility in education. You’ll gain an introduction to the UDL framework, reflecting on how its recommendations could be incorporated into the curriculum.

You’ll finish the course inspired to make education more accessible to dyslexic adolescents and adults.

This course is designed for educators working with dyslexic adults and/or adolescents, as well as anyone with a broad interest in dyslexia.

• What is Dyslexia?
• Course Introduction
• Introductory Quiz
• Dyslexia as a Neurodevelopmental Condition
• Reading and Dyslexia
• Characteristics and Identification of Dyslexia
• Characteristics and impacts on adults with dyslexia
• Identification of dyslexia in adolescents and adults
• Learning Support for Adults with Dyslexia
• Approaches for learning support
• Targeted Learning Support
• Resources for learning support staff and language teachers
• Additional resources
• Reflection
• Bringing everything together
• Quiz
• References