Special education
Special support
Special support at TAMK means the services of the special needs teachers, as well as the Individual Study Arrangements for studying.
Services of special needs teachers
Get in touch with the special needs teacher if you have, or think you might have, a problem affecting your ability to study, such as
- Dyslexia or other learning difficulty
- Neurodiversity (ADHD/ADD/autism spectrum)
- Diagnosed illness or challenges with mental health
- Disability, or other health consideration affecting your studies
- Elementary Finnish language (Finnish is not your native language and you might need e.g. extra time for exams.) – when studying in the Finnish language degree programmes.
There are usually 1-3 meetings with the special needs teacher. They evaluate the need for pedagogical support and discuss possible Individual Study Arrangements with you. The meetings can also be multi-professional, meaning they may also include your guidance counsellor, teacher tutor, head of the degree programme, or your own support person.
In the meetings, we discuss what support actions would help you to progress in your studies. You can also get guidance with study skills: improving your ability read and understand what you read, writing, concentration, planning schedules, using study aids etc.
Special needs teacher's services for international students
- Marianna Leikomaa, e-mail marianna.leikomaa [at] tuni.fi (marianna[dot]leikomaa[at]tuni[dot]fi)
Special needs teacher's services in Finnish
Schools of Social Services and Health Care and Pedagogical Innovations and Culture (music, VETO):
- Maiju Ketko: booking, e-mail maiju.ketko [at] tuni.fi (maiju[dot]ketko[at]tuni[dot]fi).
Schools of Business and Media, Built Environment and Bioeconomy and Industrial Engineering:
- Saara Laaksonen: booking, e-mail saara.laaksonen [at] tuni.fi (saara[dot]laaksonen[at]tuni[dot]fi).
Dyslexia testing at TAMK
Students, whose native language is Finnish, can take part in the dyslexia tests at TAMK. If you already have a dyslexia diagnosis from upper secondary school level studies, you do not need to redo the test. For more information, see the Finnish page.
Students, whose native language is not Finnish, but who suspect they might have dyslexia (usually causing difficulties in reading, writing, or studying foreign languages), should get in touch with the special needs teacher Marianna Leikomaa. Although TAMK cannot offer dyslexia certificates in other languages besides Finnish, the possibility of having dyslexia can be discussed with the special needs teacher and – if grounds are found – it may be a justification for Individual Study Arrangements if it strongly affects your ability to study. If you already have a dyslexia diagnosis, you should let your teachers know about it.
Individual Study Arrangements
You may be granted Individual Study Arrangements, if you have special difficulties in learning, illness or disability affecting your ability study, or dyslexia severely affecting your ability to study. In Finnish degree programmes, elementary skills in Finnish can also be a reason for Individual Study Arrangements. Note that this does not apply for degree programmes taught in English.
Individual Study Arrangements are granted based on a statement from an expert, such as doctor, special needs teacher, or psychologist. For more information, see the page Accessibility and Individual Study Arrangements for student.
Read more about Accessibility and individual study arrangements.