Achieving your DofE with dyslexia and dyspraxia

DofE is for everyone, and we all have different needs and requirements to make the most of our DofE journey. Here are some tips, written by a staff member who has dyslexia and dyspraxia, to help participants with specific learning difficulties like these, to get the most out of their Award.

1. Set aims that are appropriate for you

When you start to plan your DofE, it can feel overwhelming. Remember that you can personalise your Award, so you can choose activities that are an appropriate challenge.

• You don’t need to organise and begin all Sections at the same time, so break your DofE up into chunks that work for you.
• Don’t discount activities that may seem particularly hard. You could do writing classes for your skills, or a physical skill that will challenge your coordination?

2. Establish a routine

As there are multiple sections on your DofE, it’s important that you carve out appropriate time for each. It can be helpful to create a consistent routine that is realistic. This will help make things feel more manageable and can also help with your memory and organisation. When working on your Skills section, you could set some time aside every day to develop your skill and try your best to keep to that. You could also ask a friend or family member to help keep you accountable.

3. Keep organised

Putting time in your diary to organise your priorities can help you to stay on top of things. There are many ways to keep organised:

• Putting where and when you are volunteering into a calendar – If you have a phone, you can also set reminders. You can also use our weekly planner to set your priorities for the week.
• It’s also important to make sure you are organised for your expedition why not make a list of everything you need to bring and tick them off once you’ve packed them?
• If you know that it might take you slightly longer than others to get set up to practice your Skill, or to make sure you are in the right place for your Volunteering, factor this extra time into your plans.

4. Use your personal experience to support others for your Volunteering section

You can use the experiences and skills that you have developed to help others with dyslexia or dyspraxia. You could:

• Informally volunteer with other members of your school or club who have dyslexia and/or dyspraxia to support them to develop new skills.
• Raise awareness of dyslexia or dyspraxia using our 13-week planner.

5. Speak to your Leader or Assessor if you need support

Remember that your Leader is there for support when you need it. No ask is too small, and your Leader is here to help you. If map reading for your expedition might be particularly difficult, work with your Leader before-hand to find a method that works for you. Your Assessor for each of your section activities will also be able to help you set your goals and achieve them.