RLO: Dyslexia and workplace learning: Impact on students

School of Nursing and Academic Division of Midwifery

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Impact on students

Some students tell staff they are dyslexic, because they think they will get more support. Others only disclose if it is appropriate, necessary, or if they think it’s going to be a problem.

However, students experience problems in their relationships with other staff, if dyslexia is misunderstood. On one placement Liz’s mentor and the staff knew she had dyslexia and any jobs concerning writing such as care plans and admissions were either given to another student or her mentor was constantly over her shoulder, watching what she was doing. This made her lose confidence and she felt undermined. She felt that she did not get a lot out of the placement. This experience meant that she decided to be less open about her dyslexia in the future.

Because of the fear of encountering negative attitudes, some students choose not to disclose their dyslexia and disguise their difficulties, Alex explains the need to write everything down because she is “having a bit of a morning”, rather than disclosing her dyslexia. Other students ask people to check what they have written without saying why. Some may mention they are dyslexic in an offhand or jokey way, which may be confusing to staff. However, hiding dyslexia can add to stress.