Getting OW Cert when dyslexic.

[cloudflint]

Im dyslexic to a certain degree, I have trouble reading some words and cant really write at all. After explaining to my instructor I was able to do my exam orally without any real problems. In the course of my actual diving I cant think of any situation where its ever been a problem. I also helped teach another guy who was dyslexic and he was the same, we gave him the test orally and that's the only time when its ever really come up in the course of his diving.

 

[GISdiver]

My son is dyslexic. He didn't read until the 8th grade and he just graduated with a masters degree in mechanical eng. He had to work hard, but he did it. He now wants to get certified. I know it will take him a little longer than normal to take the test, but I'm confident he will pass.

 

[ZenDiver.3D]

I had a professor back when I was in college whose husband was severly dyslexic. He could not read nor write. He was one of the finest divers I ever met. He was also a recovery diver.
Dyslexia makes learning different. So find an instructor who can think outside the box and is willing to work around and through it. Let us know when he finishes.

 

[mselenaous]

Absolutely. I have certified one very dyslexic individual. We did it as a private, one-on-one, in many short sessions. He watched the videos several times, then we went through the information together page by page. I asked him the quiz & test questions and he was able to answer without my having to read out the multiple choices. He had no issues with table problems. He only missed one and that was from reversing 2 numbers on a multi-dive profile, not for lack of understanding. He dives often now with his family. He did his open water dives with one of my group classes.

The group classes (at least for the classroom sessions) are probably inappropriate for him. Just find a patient instructor and be willing to pay for his/her time. However, joining in a group class for confined and then open water training should be fine.

 

[inventor]

Just curious about any difficulties reading the computer or gauges...?

 

[altaskier]

OW certification+first dives in a neat place=WO! Or Whoa!...

 

[EastTNDiver]

Just curious about any difficulties reading the computer or gauges...?

My son's biggest problem with guages is reading the dial type analog guages. He has zero issues reading digital displays. He has the same issues reading time...analog, he struggles...digital, no worries.

 

[reo]

I did a kid once that was dsylexic. He was kinda embarrassed about it but his mother had informed me before hand about it and that he didn't like it to be known or treated any differently. He and I hit it off real well and he insisted on taking the written exam with everyone else so they wouldn't find out. Of course when he didn't score well enought I had to act like I was upset with him and "chew him out" just a bit. When he came back for the retest I had accidentally forgotten any extra answer sheets so he was forced to do the test orally. He did miss one and you would have thought he had found a gold bar. Nicest thank you letter that I ever got from anyone. Your son CAN do it. Just make sure the instructor knows and isn't a jerk that thinks that it is a handicap.

The world needs more instructors like you. I have a grandson who will be able to learn to dive in a couple of years. Are you located in Florida?

Ron

 

[Cave Diver]

Folks my oldest son is a great kid He's 15 years old and dead keen to get his OW.
The stumbling block is that he suffers from dyslexia and disphraxia.In a nutshell he gets written words all scrambled up in his head.
Give him an idea or a concept verbally and he will absorb it like a sponge.
Theres no lack of inteligence or maturity from him.
So is it possible for him to get his OW given he has to pass the written/online exams?

I'd say so. My open water instructor was dyslexic. He was a great instructor and did a great job training us.

 

[windapp]

Having recently done the OW course myself, I would sugest the Electronic Recreationial Dive Planner over the paper version in this case.