I'm studying A-Levels at the moment and my English teacher recently asked if I have dyslexia 'or anything we can say for extra time in the exam', because it's come to her attention how slow I am at practice exams/timed essays. I told her I very much doubted it from the descriptions I'd heard. Still, lately I've been thinking about that problem. It's not that I have any trouble reading. I've usually had a reading age of more than several years above my real age and my spelling and handwriting aren't bad. I'm just slow. At everything. I'm always being nagged to hurry up with something, whether getting dressed, tidying up, or collecting my belongings. I am a day-dreamer, and have often put it down to that, but it seems however hard I concentrate, I'm several minutes behind everyone else, or getting things wrong in haste. For the same reason I very rarely finish exams or tests, however easy. I'm even the last person to understand a joke, though I don't know if that's related. This, my ineptitude at class practicals/following instructions and my difficulty maintaining focus in classes, contributed to my failure to achieve science grades that my sixth form would accept for the next year, and the subsequent defection to my current place of study. This time, I'm taking less challenging subjects with less homework and pressure and am much happier overall, so have done better, but the ever looming threat of time ineffectiveness lingers on. I've gained back enough confidence this year to apply for another science course, but I know attentiveness to the degree needed for it may still be a problem and practicals will not be any easier the second time round.
By chance I discovered some information about dyspraxia and found that I have these problems and other traits in common with people diagnosed 'dyspraxic'. On further research I found that I also resonate with 'dyscalculia' and they seem very similar, so I'm going to ask for a formal assessment for learning disabilities. I don't know how many you can be tested for in one sitting. I've already tried phoning the relevant people but got an answering machine. If a diagnosis might get me more support or at least understanding (or stop people bugging me to dance
), it's worth it. If I'm not diagnosed with it, I hope you all won't mind if I stay, as I do in effect seem to have much in common with you anyway.Thanks for reading,
SP
When I said she might have to give me information about by childhood she started reeling off early milestones there and then! I thought she'd be against it because she didn't like me suggesting that my sister get tested for dyslexia, I suppose because she doubted the benefits of a diagnosis. Today my personal tutor handed a reference to the people who'll give me an assessment. Just a matter of waiting now. 
