Dyslexia

What is Dyslexia?

Today, difficulties with reading and writing are described synonymously as reading and writing disorder and Dyslexia. In the international environment, the term Dyslexia has become established (ICD-10 of the WHO). The disorder covers a bandwidth of symptoms which manifest themselves in different ways.

The main feature of this disorder is a defined and unequivocal impairment in the development of reading skills. Reading comprehension, reading speed, reading accuracy, the skill of recognising words read before, reading out loud and performance in tasks requiring reading skills may all be affected. Reading disorders are often accompanied by writing disorders. This may also be compounded by impairments in short-term memory, time management and learning organisation.

Dyslexia is a so-called specific learning difficulty with largely genetic and neurobiological causes (classified ICD-10, F81.0). In diagnostic terms, reading performance must fall short of what has to be expected on account of a person’s age, general intelligence and schooling.

Dyslexia can affect different individuals in very different ways and is usually diagnosed and tackled therapeutically before the start of university studies.

What support services are available for those with Dyslexia?

Counselling & Coaching

Students with Dyslexia have the opportunity to make use of the Counselling & Coaching Centre's counselling services if required.

Factsheet for lecturers

The Download Dyslexia information sheet (PDF, 125 KB) can be used when communicating with lecturers. It summarises the most important effects of Dyslexia on studying.

Special arrangements

Students with Dyslexia have the option of applying for special arrangements for performance assessments.

When applying for a special arrangement due to Dyslexia, the formal requirements of the ETH require a neuropsychological assessment by a specialist or a specialist centre. A speech therapy/developmental paediatric assessment can also be submitted.

The assessment must have been carried out in adulthood (after the age of 16). If your assessment is older, you must undergo a new assessment. As a rule, the assessment should not be older than two years.

We recommend the following contacts in the Zurich area for an assessment. Diagnostic certificates from other specialised institutions are also recognised. There are long waiting times at the assessment centres. Make sure you make arrangements well in advance.

Further links and assessment centres

• external page Special Needs Education Centre Zurich (assessments possible up to the age of 20 and free of charge)
• external page Special Needs Education Centre Winterthur (assessments possible up to the age of 20 and free of charge)
• external page Institute for Neuropsychological Diagnostics and Imaging (assessment subject to a fee)
• external page Speech therapy at the Clinic for Neurology (USZ) (assessment subject to a fee)
• external page Speech therapy and occupational therapy practice (assessment subject to a fee)
• external page Zentrum Neuropsychologie Seefeld (assessment subject to a fee)