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Courses
Courses
Choosing a course is one of the most important decisions you'll ever make! View our courses and see what our students and lecturers have to say about the courses you are interested in at the links below.
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University Life
University Life
Each year more than 4,000 choose University of Galway as their University of choice. Find out what life at University of Galway is all about here.
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About University of Galway
About University of Galway
Since 1845, University of Galway has been sharing the highest quality teaching and research with Ireland and the world. Find out what makes our University so special – from our distinguished history to the latest news and campus developments.
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Colleges & Schools
Colleges & Schools
University of Galway has earned international recognition as a research-led university with a commitment to top quality teaching across a range of key areas of expertise.
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Research & Innovation
Research & Innovation
University of Galway’s vibrant research community take on some of the most pressing challenges of our times.
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Business & Industry
Guiding Breakthrough Research at University of Galway
We explore and facilitate commercial opportunities for the research community at University of Galway, as well as facilitating industry partnership.
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Alumni & Friends
Alumni & Friends
There are 128,000 University of Galway alumni worldwide. Stay connected to your alumni community! Join our social networks and update your details online.
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Community Engagement
Community Engagement
At University of Galway, we believe that the best learning takes place when you apply what you learn in a real world context. That's why many of our courses include work placements or community projects.
Developmental Coordination Disorder
Developmental Coordination Disorder/Dyspraxia
Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD), commonly known as Dyspraxia, is a complex neurological condition affecting fine and/or gross motor skills, motor planning and coordination in children and adults.
People who have Developmental Coordination Disorder/Dyspraxia will tend to have coordination and perceptual difficulties and often find routine tasks difficult. Gross motor skills (related to balance and co-ordination) and fine motor skills (relating to manipulation of objects) can be hard to learn and difficult to retain and generalise.
Impact on learning
Students with DCD/Dyspraxia may experience challenges in some of the following areas:
- Handwriting or typing, as a result of difficulty with fine motor coordination skills
- Concentration
- Difficulty organising ideas and concepts
- Students with DCD/Dyspraxia may have difficulty with pronunciation
- Over- or under-sensitivity to noise, light and touch
- Poor short-term memory
How you can help
Familiarise yourself with the recommendations made in the Student’s LENS Report.
- Please refer to the section on Inclusive Teaching and Assessment.
- Use the principles of Universal Design when developing your materials. Now is a good opportunity for you to enrol in the Universal Design in Teaching and Learning Badge.
- Provide lecture notes in advance if possible.
- Be sensitive of possible self-consciousness by the student about speaking or reading aloud in lectures and tutorials.
- Provide a written outline of the course/module including details of how it will be assessed and dates for when assignments must be submitted.
- Providing exemplars or rubrics for assignments can be a helpful study resource.
- Support the use of Assistive Technology in the classroom.
Exam accommodations
For all in-class assessments please refer to the exam accommodations detailed in the student’s Learning and Educational Needs Statement (LENS).
Exam accommodations are determined on an individualised basis. Examples of recommended exam accommodations may include:
• Extra time
• Permission to type exam
Impact on placement
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Student can have difficulties with their fine and/or gross motor skills, motor planning and coordination.
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May experience challenges with workload organisation and prioritisation.
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Sensitivity to the multisensory stimulation of the workplace environment.
Placement Reasonable Accommodations
There is no one size fits all approach to implementing placement support as each person will have a unique set of challenges and coping mechanisms. The best way to establish what accommodations may be required, if any, is to attend a Placement Planning Meeting before starting on placement.
Examples of reasonable accommodations may include:
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Supervisor awareness that the student has dyspraxia and can have difficulties with their fine and/or gross motor skills, motor planning and coordination and may benefit from adaption or extra time to complete tasks.
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Break down tasks into small steps, provide a demonstration and supplement with written instructions.
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Provide a pre-placement site visit to allow the student to familiarise themselves with the physical environment.
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Identify a mentor/work buddy so that the placement students can clarify any issues they may have and if that person can also check in regularly with the student.