Dyslexic

At Kolding Gymnasium, you will receivequalified assistance

This page is for dyslexics and their parents. It contains information about dyslexia and other useful information about how the reading guidance program at Kolding Gymnasium offers special help to dyslexics.

What is dyslexia?

Dyslexia is a functional impairment that causes problems with decoding sounds. This can present particular challenges with written language when reading, spelling, or writing.

Approximately 5-7% of the population is dyslexic. Dyslexics are at least as intelligent as others, and dyslexia does not have to be a limitation. There can be significant individual differences in the challenges faced by dyslexics, which is why assessment and appropriate assistance are important.

Dyslexia is a permanent condition and does not disappear or improve. However, with the right help, you can receive teaching and aids that alleviate and compensate for the things you find difficult.

Famous people with dyslexia

Many dyslexics think differently and creatively. In many contexts, this can be a particularly valuable trait. There are many famous dyslexics who attest to this. For example, John Lennon, Pablo Picasso, Leonardo da Vinci, Albert Einstein, Jennifer Aniston, Jamie Oliver, Tom Cruise, Thomas Blackman, and Ghita Nørby.

READING GUIDE AT KG

All classes at Kolding Gymnasium have a reading and writing tutor who is available to the class.

Helene Louise Damgaard Iversen
Reading tutor
HLE@kolding-gym.dk

Rune Staun Søndergaard
Reading tutor
RSS@kolding-gym.dk

Emil Baagøe

“It was only in high school that I found out I was dyslexic. That hasn't limited me – neither in high school nor in my choice of studies. I've always been supported by my parents, and being dyslexic wasn't taboo. My mother always read through my assignments and supported me in that way.
The reading guidance at KG helped me see how I could improve my written assignments. The reading guidance counselor and I read the assignment together and corrected it together. That way, I got some tips on what to remember when writing assignments. Getting extra time for exams also helped me face the exams with confidence. It gave me the peace of mind to focus on the assignments. But the most important thing for me was to recognize that I need more time than others to read a text or write an assignment. But I know that I can achieve the same goals as everyone else."

Who will be tested?

All students who start at Kolding Gymnasium undergo a reading and spelling screening to determine whether they need special assistance. We offer, for example, reading speed courses, spelling courses, or assistance for students with Danish as a second language. Students who show signs of dyslexia in the screening are offered a dyslexia test to determine whether or not they are dyslexic.

Assistive devices for dyslexics at Kolding Gymnasium

People with dyslexia have the opportunity to receive:

Software package for PC or Mac or IT backpack. The programs are spelling and reading aids and are available in all languages relevant to your studies.
Help with installing programs and instructions on how to use them
Scanner pen
Access to Nota's digital library (option to borrow e-books and audiobooks)
Framework authorization for ordering books from Nota
Study support hours (SPS hours) per semester for special support
Extra time for written and oral exams as needed
Help with structuring and planning larger written assignments
Networking with other people who are word blind
Advice and assistance from a reading tutor

To receive assistive devices, you must be dyslexic and consider which assistive devices you need.

What happens when you are dyslexic?

After the dyslexia test, you get the results immediately, and the reading instructor provides information about the various aids available. Most people order reading/writing tools for the school right away. This is the IntoWords program. We can also order access to Nota (Word/Blind Library), where both academic and fiction literature are available as e-books and audiobooks.

We can apply for extra time for exams.
In some cases, we can apply for access to IntoWords (reading and writing tools) and Nota (library for the blind/dyslexic = audiobooks/e-books). This can be helpful if, for example, you have difficulty concentrating.
If you and your parents wish, there can also be contact between your SPS coordinator and your parents (start-up meeting/status meeting and ongoing contact).
Your SPS coordinator can participate in network meetings with the municipality, psychiatric services, etc.

How can families provide support?

It is important to acknowledge that your child is dyslexic. You can do this by supporting them and encouraging them to accept the various aids/help available.

IT backpack and programs

Once the software package or IT backpack has been delivered to the school, students receive help installing the programs. They are then instructed in how to use them.

What are SPS lessons (Special Educational Support)?

All dyslexic students have SPS lessons available each semester. These are used for remedial teaching with a teacher. These lessons focus on compensating for the specific things you find difficult, and you learn to find useful solutions that meet the needs of the individual student. This could be, for example, understanding concepts, structuring tasks, and correction and writing strategies.

New dyslexic students are invited to a meeting where they are informed about how to utilize the lessons and what they may need. The reading instructors assist in establishing contact with the teachers who teach the support lessons. The student and the SPS teacher coordinate when the lessons are held, but as a rule, they must be scheduled when the student has no other classes. The student uses the SPS lessons as needed (max. 20 per semester).

How can you use the NOTA library?

The digital library contains both non-fiction and fiction. People with dyslexia can download both e-books and audiobooks, allowing them to have books read aloud on their computer or mobile phone. Nota also has apps for both Android and iPhone, making it easy to use audiobooks on your phone.

Most of the books used in teaching at Kolding Gymnasium can be found in Nota. People with dyslexia can have books scanned that are not already available in Nota. Contact your reading advisor if you need this service.

What do you do for exams?

The reading guides will call an information meeting before the annual tests and exams, where you will receive information about how the process will work.

What do you do after completing your secondary education?

If you are continuing directly into the education system, you may keep your assistive devices.

Otherwise, you must return all assistive devices to the school, and your license for assistive programs will expire. Keep in mind that you have the same opportunities to receive SPS support in higher education, and that educational institutions have affiliated reading advisors.

You can always contact a reading advisor.

All students at Kolding Gymnasium have the opportunity to contact a reading advisor, so there is always the option, both for students and parents, to contact a reading advisor if there is anything you are unsure about or need help with.