Dyslexia examination and diagnosis: If you suspect you may have dyslexia, you should set about determining whether in fact you do.
In addition to your own understanding of dyslexia, you can find the signs and symptoms here: Dyslexia - Symptoms - NHS. You can also try this self-evaluation tool for identifying key dyslexic indicators: Oppimisvaikeus.fi (in Finnish only). A more thorough means is to take a screening test. If the results of the screening test indicate dyslexia or your doubts are otherwise well-founded, you can undergo a full examination for dyslexia. Dyslexia examinations are available through the Finnish Student Health Service (FSHS) or through a private service provider.
A professional examination is important for making determination of dyslexia and for identifying the kind of support needed. Note that difficulties experienced with reading and writing may also have other causes than dyslexia – ADHD, for instance. If you find reading and writing to be challenging, digital tools may help, and they require no diagnosis. One source of additional information is: Datero.
Aalto students can always ask for more information from a study psychologist, a career counselling psychologist, a special education teacher or they can visit the Starting Point of Wellbeing’s drop-in service for guidance.
Dyslexia | Aalto University has information on the effects of dyslexia on studying as well as tips for Aalto staff on taking dyslexia into consideration when providing teaching or guidance.
If you think you might have an autism spectrum disorder (ASD), you should set about determining if that is in fact the case. In addition to your own understanding of ASD, you can find out more about the subject at the following website:
Information in english - Autismiliitto
If you suspect you have ASD, you can investigate the matter further through a health care service, such as the Finnish Student Health Service (FSHS) or through occupational health. Many health care services carry out the examinations required for diagnosing neurodevelopmental disorders and for planning treatment and rehabilitation. While the FSHS does not diagnose for autism spectrum disorders, FSHS general practitioners may provide patients with a referral for specialised care if necessary.
A professional examination is important for determining the diagnosis and possible support measures. You can also learn more on your own about various support measures to help with daily life and studies. ASD-like symptoms and difficulties may also stem from factors other than neurodevelopmental disorders. As an Aalto student, you can always ask for more information from a study psychologist, a career counselling psychologist or a special education teacher, or you can visit the Starting Point of Wellbeing’s drop-in service for guidance.
Information on how ASD can affect study ability, and tips for staff on taking ASD into account in teaching and guidance can be found at: Autism spectrum | Aalto University
If you think you may have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), you should set about finding out if that is in fact the case. For a deeper understanding, you can learn more about ADHD at the following websites:
Information about ADHD - ADHD-liitto
ADHS – Finnish Student Health Service (FSHS)
If you suspect you may have ADHD, please contact a health care service provider, such as the Finnish Student Health Service (FSHS – https://www.yths.fi/en/frontpage/). FSHS carries out the examinations required for diagnosing neurodevelopmental disorders and for planning treatment and rehabilitation. FSHS can diagnose ADHD and initiate conventional treatment if no neuropsychological evaluation was required for the diagnosis and no concurrent neuropsychiatric disorders are suspected in addition to ADHD.
A professional examination is important for obtaining a diagnosis and the consequent support; you can, however, learn more on your own about various support measures to help with your daily life and studies. Note that ADHD-like symptoms and difficulties may also arise from factors other than a neuropsychiatric disorder; such factors may include a stressful situation, depressive symptoms, or absence of necessary rest or recovery. As an Aalto student, you can always ask for more information from a study psychologist, a career counselling psychologist, a special education teacher or you can visit the Starting Point of Wellbeing’s drop-in service for guidance.
The following link has information on how ADHD-type difficulties can affect studies and on how staff can take these into account when providing teaching and guidance: Attention deficit and hyperactivity challenges.
Mental health issues are common, and almost everyone experiences some psychological symptoms at some point in life. While various psychological symptoms are a normal part of life, you should seek treatment if the symptoms persist, cause concerns or affect your daily functioning.
You can evaluate your mental well-being using a symptom-scale questionnaire (see Symptom scales | MentalHub.fi). If you feel your condition or symptoms call for assessment or treatment by a healthcare professional, contact: the Finnish Student Health Service (FSHS – at yths.fi); the healthcare service provider for your wellbeing services county; occupational health (if applicable); or a private service provider.
You can learn more about mental health disorders and services here:
Mental health treatment model involving different levels - FSHS
How to seek help for mental health issues? - MIELI
You can browse Aalto's info pack and instructions here:
Mental disorders | Aalto University
Panic attack and panic disorder | Aalto University
Crises and other acute needs for help
Contact information for crises and other urgent needs can be found here: https://www.aalto.fi/en/support-services-for-students/starting-point-of-wellbeing#14-where-can-i-get-help-and-support-in-crisis-situations-or-other-acute-need-for-help-
Any substance or activity that initially produces pleasure may eventually develop into a harmful dependency. Substance addiction can involve e.g. alcohol, medications or drugs, while behavioural addiction can involve activities such as gambling or using social media. Both kinds of addictions can lead to problems in various areas of life. There are a number of forms of support available for addictions, including psychotherapeutic methods, medication and peer support groups.
If you find your substance use or a compulsive behaviour has become problematic, you can book an appointment with a health care service provider such as the Finnish Student Health Service (FSHS – at yths.fi). The FSHS can evaluate your situation and then you together with the FSHS can make up a treatment plan. While student health care treats some substance and behavioural addictions, more severe addictions are generally referred to specialised care (such as substance addiction or addiction psychiatry clinics) or to other specialised services (e.g. A-Clinics). Student health care can provide the necessary referral to an appropriate treatment facility. Please note that FSHS does not offer rehabilitation services for substance abuse problems, or substitution or withdrawal treatment for opioid addictions, or treatment for discontinuing other substance use.
You can learn more about behavioural and substance addictions, their treatment and various support resources here:
Treatment of substance abuse problems and behavioural addictions – FSHS
Psychotherapy can be an appropriate option if you are experiencing mental health issues that affect your daily life. There are a many different kinds of psychotherapy, but the most important thing for successful treatment is to have a good and trusting collaborative relationship with the psychotherapist.
Psychotherapy can be rehabilitative psychotherapy with funding aid from Kela (the Social Insurance Institution of Finland), or psychotherapy with support from a service voucher granted by public health care, or it can be self-funded psychotherapy. If you are paying for psychotherapy entirely on your own, you do not need a doctor's statement. In other cases, you should go to a health care service such as FSHS or occupational health, and they will make an assessment to select the appropriate form of treatment. Aalto's study psychologists do not provide psychotherapy or psychotherapy assessments, but they can offer basic information about psychotherapy.
You can learn more about the topic here:
People enter rehab services for a variety reasons, including neuropsychiatric difficulties or changes in functional abilities due to mental health issues. Rehabilitation aims to strengthen the person’s own skills and abilities and is generally aimed at improving the person’s functioning in studies, work or other areas of daily life. Finland has a variety of rehabilitation service organisations, and the need for rehabilitation is usually assessed in the public health system.
You can explore different rehabilitation options here:
Rehabilitation for all ages | Kela
A compilation of other support services (both inside and outside Aalto) is available here:
You have access to the services of FSHS (the Finnish Student Health Service) if you are a bachelor’s or master’s degree student and you are enrolled as an attending student for the current term at your higher education institution. You can read more about right to use FSHS services here:
The right to user FSHS services
International students who are coming to Finland can learn more about Finland's health care services here: Health care for students | Aalto University.
The Starting Point of Wellbeing offers students easy access to counselling and advice on matters of well-being and study ability. The services available to you include drop-in (no reservation) advising/counselling sessions, peer support groups, and online materials. You can also make an appointment to receive individual counselling.
Guidance and support for study planning, study wellbeing, and career reflections for Aalto students.
