A lot of people worry that asking for help on a course means asking to be let off. Most of the time, it doesn't.
Adjustments change the how, not the what
There are two kinds of support:
- An adjustment changes how you learn or show what you know. The standard stays the same.
- A modification changes what you're expected to learn. The standard itself changes.
An easy way to remember it: Adjustments change your Access. Modifications change the Material.
Most support is an adjustment. You still learn the same things and meet the same standard. You just get there by a route that works for your brain.
What adjustments look like
- extra time in an assessment
- a quieter room, or a seat near the door
- instructions in writing as well as out loud
- coloured paper or a different font
- speech-to-text or a screen reader
- breaks during a long practical day
None of these change what you need to know. They just make sure it's your knowledge being marked, not your dyslexia, ADHD or anxiety.
In the UK these are called reasonable adjustments. A good training provider will talk them through with you early on.
How to ask for what you need
- Name the barrier, not the label. "I lose track of verbal instructions" is more useful than a diagnosis on its own.
- Suggest what helps. "Written notes after each session would really help."
- Ask early. Some adjustments need arranging in advance.
Asking for an adjustment isn't asking for an easier course. It's asking for a fair one.
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Done Different is about learning and working in a way that fits how your brain actually works. No "just try harder".
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