Disability & Learning Support Service

Welcome to the Learning Support Service for students registered with the Disability & Learning Support Service at DCU.

We support you as you acquire the skills to learn independently.

Our services cover:

For any queries relating to Learning Support or Specific Learning Difficultie please contact Learning.Support@dcu.ie

For any queries relating to any other disabilities please contact disability.service@dcu.ie

Learning Support for Individuals and Small Groups

The Learning Support Officer meets students with specific learning difficulties to discuss their needs.  Further sessions involve help with study related issues.

We require you to attend at least three learning support sessions either in a small group or individually. This helps you to get the most out of your supports and we get to know your particular needs right from the beginning of your time here in DCU.

We aim to help students overcome individual learning differences, so we will concentrate on the most relevant strategies which help you with Notetaking, Time Management, Reading Techniques, Essay Planning and Exam preparation.

Our Learning Support Officer and Assistive Technology Officer Officer work with groups and with individual students to make sure your needs are met. We will arrange appointments for you to attend Learning Support.

Information on Learning Differences

Information on Dysgraphia & Dyspraxia

Information on Dyslexia

If you think you may have a specific learning difficulty like dyslexia consider these questions

• Do you spend more time on reading and writing tasks than others?
• Do you avoid reading if you can?
• Do you find it hard to express your ideas on paper and to structure a written task?
• Are your spelling and grammar poor?
• Is it hard to pronounce long words and chop them into sounds?
• Do you confuse written symbols?
• Do you find it hard to take lecture notes?
• Is it a strain to write by hand?
• Is it hard to break a large task into stages and work through these?
• Are you disorganised and forgetful?
• Do you find it hard to concentrate?

If you have answered “yes” to any of these points, you may have a specific difficulty, or the pressure of your course may be making you aware of your particular skills or weaknesses. 

You may just need a little help with written language skills or structuring and organising your work.

You can start addressing your worries by talking to your personal tutor. 

If you would like to discuss your difficulties with the Disability and Learning Support Service, you can fill in a hard copy of the questionnaire below.  Bring it to the Disability and Learning Support Office.  Then we will arrange a time to meet you to discuss any difficulties you experience.

For the Screening Questionnaire, please complete Screening for dyslexia (word)