I&#x27;m a third year disabled student AMA

Original post by Kingston University

Hi Ella2b,

Yes I have a mental health mentor that I work with weekly. It depends on what I need that week, sometimes we work on planning out my week so I don't get too overwhelmed, we've done some work on CBT (behavioural therapy), gone through assignments, planned assignments with time frames etc. I think it's a personal thing and a mentor should work with you on your specific needs.

I hope this helps

Chloe
Student Ambassador

Is this similar for other mentors do you know? for example one of my none medical helpers is a mentor, and same with all the others I don't understand what all the names mean and so what they will actually do. It's just a list of words.

OP

Original post by dipka

Is this similar for other mentors do you know? for example one of my none medical helpers is a mentor, and same with all the others I don't understand what all the names mean and so what they will actually do. It's just a list of words.

Hi dipka,

I think it depends on what your condition is as well. My mentor I have for my anxiety and depression, so my work with her reflects that. I do have a Dyslexia helper too which helps me go over other, more specific things. I would suggest contacting your university for clarification of what each helpers role is.

If you have any other questions please let me know,

Chloe :smile:

Student Ambassador

Reply 6

Original post by Kingston University

Hi dipka,

I think it depends on what your condition is as well. My mentor I have for my anxiety and depression, so my work with her reflects that. I do have a Dyslexia helper too which helps me go over other, more specific things. I would suggest contacting your university for clarification of what each helpers role is.

If you have any other questions please let me know,

Chloe :smile:

Student Ambassador

Hi chloe

So its either like yours and they do whatever you need? Or they will say I am because of X condition and so there is something I must do because of it? Is that right or what other options are there?

What do you do with the dyslexia one? I got tested for and diagnosed with Dyslexia and Dyspraxia last week. She mentiond a few things but I already have my DSA for another disability so I dont know how these other things are going to happen? I have not got any report from it yet though so I hope when I get that it will explain it. But would be good to know what you get.

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OP

Original post by dipka

Hi chloe

So its either like yours and they do whatever you need? Or they will say I am because of X condition and so there is something I must do because of it? Is that right or what other options are there?

What do you do with the dyslexia one? I got tested for and diagnosed with Dyslexia and Dyspraxia last week. She mentiond a few things but I already have my DSA for another disability so I dont know how these other things are going to happen? I have not got any report from it yet though so I hope when I get that it will explain it. But would be good to know what you get.

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Hi dipka,

I can only speak from the experience of myself and my friends. From my experience there are obviously guidelines but it is suited to your needs. As far as I'm aware you shouldn't be told you have to do anything, there are merely suggestions. You also don't have to work with someone at the uni, you can be provided with a private approved helper if you're not comfortable with the helpers at the university.

I haven't started with a Dyslexia worker yet, I will be for my final year, it was a personal choice not too this year because I got my diagnoses paperwork half way through second year. I do, however, use some of the special requirements such as longer loans on my library books and extended time on course work (this would be the same for exams if I had any).

I would definitely have a look at your report, mine explained so much to me that I didn't understand and was such a huge relief. It also helped me narrow down what help I wanted this year and I now have an idea of what I want to focus on.

I hope this helps and feel free to ask me any other questions!

Chloe :smile:

Student Ambassador

Reply 8

Original post by dipka

What do you do with the dyslexia one? I got tested for and diagnosed with Dyslexia and Dyspraxia last week. She mentiond a few things but I already have my DSA for another disability so I dont know how these other things are going to happen? I have not got any report from it yet though so I hope when I get that it will explain it. But would be good to know what you get.

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That kind of support will help you to understand SPG better and proofread your work generally as well as helping with organising academic work (at least thats what mine did).

Reply 9

Original post by Kingston University

Hi dipka,

I can only speak from the experience of myself and my friends. From my experience there are obviously guidelines but it is suited to your needs. As far as I'm aware you shouldn't be told you have to do anything, there are merely suggestions. You also don't have to work with someone at the uni, you can be provided with a private approved helper if you're not comfortable with the helpers at the university.

I haven't started with a Dyslexia worker yet, I will be for my final year, it was a personal choice not too this year because I got my diagnoses paperwork half way through second year. I do, however, use some of the special requirements such as longer loans on my library books and extended time on course work (this would be the same for exams if I had any).

I would definitely have a look at your report, mine explained so much to me that I didn't understand and was such a huge relief. It also helped me narrow down what help I wanted this year and I now have an idea of what I want to focus on.

I hope this helps and feel free to ask me any other questions!

Chloe :smile:

Student Ambassador

Hello.

Thats all good to know, like basically I dont have to do anything, and there are options to change what is put and what person if I dont like them. I had someone horrible in year 1 of college and although they said they were trialling him on supporting people to christmas other studentd with no support need loved him because he would help them when he asked and so never had time for me. I of course told people all this, but I was stuck with him or no support all year. Hope uni would listen more if it happened again.

I dont have the report from the tests yet, so cant look at it but when i get it I will.

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Reply 10

Original post by claireestelle

That kind of support will help you to understand SPG better and proofread your work generally as well as helping with organising academic work (at least thats what mine did).

What is spg?

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Reply 11

Original post by dipka

What is spg?

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Spelling,punctuation and grammar.
I found this description online which i think covers everything a dyslexia mentor can do:

•

Essays – decoding the assignment, planning, structuring, editing and proofreading skills

•

Revision – planning, finding resources, memory aides, exam techniques

•

Reading – techniques to make reading easier, reading for purpose, using assistive technology

•

Researching – demonstrating search engines, finding sources of information

•

Referencing – general guidance, using referencing software

•

Placement – reflection, professional practice, prioritising

•

Time management and organisational skills – breaking down tasks, meeting deadlines, work – life balance, using assistive technology

Mine mostly helped me with essays but have a new person next month and with a new course i ll see what off the list i ll use :smile:

Reply 12

Original post by claireestelle

Spelling,punctuation and grammar.
I found this description online which i think covers everything a dyslexia mentor can do:

•

Essays – decoding the assignment, planning, structuring, editing and proofreading skills

•

Revision – planning, finding resources, memory aides, exam techniques

•

Reading – techniques to make reading easier, reading for purpose, using assistive technology

•

Researching – demonstrating search engines, finding sources of information

•

Referencing – general guidance, using referencing software

•

Placement – reflection, professional practice, prioritising

•

Time management and organisational skills – breaking down tasks, meeting deadlines, work – life balance, using assistive technology

Mine mostly helped me with essays but have a new person next month and with a new course i ll see what off the list i ll use :smile:

Wow, thats quite a list. So I choose out of those whatever I need that week? Thats really good.

Is this just for dyslexia though? So will I end up with a dislexia mentor and the one I already have, so 2 seperate things or do I just get one that will do this and whatever it was already to do? I dont know what they are doing yet as noone has told me what the difference between all 6 of my none medical helpers are, cant work it out other than the obvious from the names ones.

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Reply 13

Original post by dipka

Wow, thats quite a list. So I choose out of those whatever I need that week? Thats really good.
Basically yes :smile:

Is this just for dyslexia though?
Dyslexia,dyspraxia and i think ADHD too.

So will I end up with a dislexia mentor and the one I already have, so 2 seperate things or do I just get one that will do this and whatever it was already to do? I dont know what they are doing yet as noone has told me what the difference between all 6 of my none medical helpers are, cant work it out other than the obvious from the names ones.

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Do you have the names of the types of each support tutor on your needs assessment report, i do know what the majority do off the top of my head so could try and describe them for you?

Generally each one is only trained for a certain thing so a study skills/dyslexia tutor only does that stuff so it is possible you could have 6 different people.

Reply 14

theres a list of every kind of non medical helper in this document, from page 10 onwards
https://www.dur.ac.uk/resources/duac/non_medical_help_manual.pdf

Reply 15

Pathway

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Original post by claireestelle

Do you have the names of the types of each support tutor on your needs assessment report, i do know what the majority do off the top of my head so could try and describe them for you?

Generally each one is only trained for a certain thing so a study skills/dyslexia tutor only does that stuff so it is possible you could have 6 different people.

Do you (or the OP) happen to know what a "specialist mentor" does? What I've read is conflicting. I have been told that I'm getting one for next year for MH issues.

Reply 16

Pathway

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Original post by claireestelle

theres a list of every kind of non medical helper in this document, from page 10 onwards
https://www.dur.ac.uk/resources/duac/non_medical_help_manual.pdf

Thank you. :h:

Reply 17

Original post by Pathway

Do you (or the OP) happen to know what a "specialist mentor" does? What I've read is conflicting. I have been told that I'm getting one for next year for MH issues.

I think when they call them that they are a Band 4 one so are supposedly the most trained of them all i think. My study skills one is supposedly a type of specialist mentor but theres a few other ones that are specialist mentors too.

Reply 18

Idcatgirl

I've just posted a new discussion but I'll reply to this one as well! When you applied for DSA did you apply for dyslexia or mental health or both, and how does the support work - like do you get the same amount of 'funding' as someone with only dyslexia or mental health or do you get any more? Thank you xx

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Reply 19