Are You Eligible for Additional Support?
If you are at university, or preparing to start, you may be eligible for additional support if you experience barriers linked to ADHD, autism, dyslexia, dyspraxia, mental health, sensory processing, long-term health conditions, or another disability.
It is never too late to ask for support. You can apply before university starts, during your course, or after difficulties have already become noticeable.
First Steps in Receiving Support at University
1. Contact your university Disability, Inclusion or Student Support Team
They can talk to you about reasonable adjustments, support plans, exam arrangements, evidence, and applying for Disabled Students’ Allowance.
2. Explain what is difficult
You do not need perfect wording. Try to explain what happens in real life, for example:
- I struggle to start assignments.
- I become overwhelmed in busy environments.
- I find it hard to process verbal instructions.
- Reading takes me much longer than expected.
- I experience anxiety, shutdowns, burnout or fatigue.
- I struggle with planning, memory or organisation.
3. Ask about Reasonable Adjustments
Reasonable adjustments are changes that reduce barriers to learning. These may include lecture recordings, rest breaks, accessible formats, deadline flexibility, exam adjustments, or sensory considerations.
4. Apply for Disabled Students’ Allowance
Disabled Students’ Allowance can help with study-related support such as specialist mentoring, study skills support, assistive technology, software, equipment and non-medical helper support.
Who Can Help?
University Disability or Inclusion Team
They help students arrange support within the university, including reasonable adjustments and support plans.
DSA Needs Assessor
A Needs Assessor explores your study-related barriers and recommends appropriate support, equipment or technology.
Specialist Mentor
A Specialist Mentor can support with overwhelm, executive functioning, confidence, emotional regulation, sensory load, planning and navigating university systems.
Academic Tutors
Tutors can help clarify course expectations, assessment requirements and how adjustments apply in teaching and learning.
Apply for Disabled Students’ Allowance
Select the relevant funding body:
- England: Disabled Students’ Allowance
- Wales: Disabled Students’ Allowance
- Scotland: Disabled Students’ Allowance
- Northern Ireland: Disabled Students’ Allowance
- Isle of Man: Disabled Student Allowance information
ADHD, Autism and SpLD Assessment Pathways
Some students begin exploring assessment pathways while at university. Screening tools do not provide a diagnosis, but they can help you decide whether to seek further advice.
- NHS ADHD information
- Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale
- NHS Autism information
- Autism Spectrum Quotient AQ-10
- British Dyslexia Association
What Should You Say at a Needs Assessment?
Be honest about what studying is actually like for you. You may want to explain:
- what happens when you feel overwhelmed
- how long reading, writing or planning takes
- what environments are difficult
- how you manage deadlines
- whether you experience burnout, shutdowns or anxiety
- what support has helped before
- what makes university harder to access
A Needs Assessment is not a test. It is a conversation about what support may help reduce barriers to study.
Personal Independence Payment
Some students may also be eligible for Personal Independence Payment, known as PIP. PIP is based on how a long-term health condition or disability affects daily living and mobility, not simply on diagnosis.
Check official PIP information
Need Support?
DSA Mentoring & Consultancy provides neuro-affirming specialist mentoring and guidance for students navigating university, Disabled Students’ Allowance and reasonable adjustments.
You do not have to wait until you are struggling. Support can begin with one conversation.