David, I have set up a file in which to keep print-outs of your wise
postings.
Having had to advise students in a similar manner to those you report, I
agree with you about the moral and ethical aspects.
I do however have a qualm about the WAIS. Do you remember Tim Miles' article
entitled 'Do dyslexic people have IQs?' a few years ago? His point was that
it is dangerous to base a judgement of a dyslexic person's 'intelligence' on
their scores in tests which are bound to put them at a disadvantage. Now I
know you've just given precise examples of sub-tests which have a bearing on
HE, but I am thinking more of LEAs which look for the magic IQ/attainment
discrepancy and turn people down for the D.S.A.
Only this week, I was supporting a Design Management student with a long
piece of work. He was clearly full of ideas, information and enthusiasm for
the course, and used complex vocabulary about it. His E.P. report had
however said that he was not dyslexic, on the basis that WAIS scores are
indicators of 'potential' reading/spelling ability and he showed no
discrepancy.
At DMU, our inclusivity and widening participation values mean that we admit
quite a lot of students for whom HE study is not easy. It is of course our
responsibility to support them. However, as Margaret Herrington has pointed
out in the RaPAL Bulletin, there is a clear inequity in the way some qualify
for the 'dyslexic' label and get the D.S.A. whereas others who also need
help do not.
David
Dr David Pollak
Student Learning Advisory Service
De Montfort University
Leicester
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