Wellbeing Services in Devon

Specific learning differences

The AccessAbility team provides advice and support for students with specific learning differences, including: Dyslexia, Dyspraxia/Developmental co-ordination disorder (DCD), Attention Deficit Disorder (ADHD), and Dyscalculia.

Students with specific learning difficulties can benefit from 1:1 study skills support from a specialist tutor, access to assistive technology, and specific arrangements for exams and teaching.

Get support for your specific learning difference

To agree support for your specific learning difficulty, book an appointment with one of our AccessAbility Advisors to set up an Individual Learning Plan (ILP).

When requesting an ILP, AccessAbility need to see some supporting evidence of your diagnosis. This might be a diagnostic assessment report from an educational psychologist or a suitably qualified specialist teacher.

For diagnoses of ADHD and dyspraxia/DCD, a report of an assessment by a qualified medical professional, a speech and language therapist or occupational therapist may be suitable.

Tests conducted for JCQ access arrangements in schools are not usually sufficient evidence of a specific learning difference.

If you are unsure or have questions about your supporting evidence, please attach any documentation you have to your ILP request form, or email it to accessability@exeter.ac.uk. We will let you know if we need any more evidence.

You may have been fully assessed, and diagnosed, prior to studying here and you do not need a new assessment if this is the case. However, some people with an undiagnosed SpLD will find that their difficulties become more noticeable when studying at university level. In this case, you maybenefit from screening and/or assessment. Screening and/or assessment which results in a diagnosis will enable you to access our support and also allow you to access funding from the government (the Disabled Students’ Allowance).

AccessAbility does not provide screening or assessment for specific learning differences - but we can advise you how to get a full diagnostic assessment. Contact AccessAbility to discuss your difficulties or for help with screening/assessment.

If you have been advised to have a full diagnostic assessment, or you need an updated report, please see our SpLD assessment information sheet for details of qualified practitioners locally, and nationwide.

An SpLD assessment may cost more than £350 However, if paying for an assessment will cause you financial difficulty, there is additional funding available.

If you are seeking a diagnosis for ADHD or autism, you should contact your GP to discuss your concerns and any onward referrals. NHS Choices has some useful information and guidance on their website on Autism and ADHD, including advice on how to access diagnostic assessment.

Read more about financial help available to students. The Students’ Guild can help you apply for the Success for All fund – submit an enquiry on the Students’ Guild Advice website to get this support.

If you have a diagnosis of a specific learning difference such as dyslexia, your Individual Learning Plan (ILP) may require your department to apply marking guidelines when marking your work. This means that the person marking your work will take into account areas of weakness caused by your specific learning difference and not penalise you unduly.
 
Read more about Considerate Marking Guidelines.

The Study Zone offer one-on-one online sessions on a number of study related areas, and can discuss specific questions and look at work with you.

Find out more about The Study Zone.

Most UK students with a diagnosed specific learning difference will be eligible to apply for Disabled Students' Allowances (DSA). DSA can give you funding for things such as specialist equipment, one-on-one sessions with a study skills tutor or support with other costs you may have to pay due to the impact of your disability.

Have a question? Get in touch with us via our Contact Us page if you have any further questions.