Autism support
High levels of motivation, determination and enthusiasm are among the many qualities that we see in students on the spectrum. We welcome early contact from all our prospective students so we can ensure that any support you may need is in place for the start of your course.
Support and advice
There is a range of support available for autistic students and advice sessions throughout term-time, including:
- support with applying for Disabled Students' Allowances (DSAs)
- orientation
- Access Statements and exam arrangements
- accessibility
- library support
- social activities, including a weekly lunch club
- transition support
Specialist funded support
As a student with a disability, you may be eligible for a Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA), which could fund access to a mentor.
Mentors work with our students on a one-to-one basis, addressing the barriers to learning created by autism spectrum conditions. Examples of these barriers include anxiety and stress, concentration difficulties, time management issues, and establishing an appropriate work-life balance.
A mentor’s role is to promote independent learning, as well as empowering the student to manage their workload.
Specialist DSA-funded support is provided through a mix of internal support and external agency support.
Diagnosis and screening
We don’t provide screening or diagnostic assessments for autism spectrum conditions. Instead, you should discuss this with your GP, who may then refer you to a specialist. Please inform us if you are on a waiting list for diagnosis.
Visit the National Autistic Society for more information on getting a diagnostic assessment.
Lunch clubs
Join in with one of our lunch clubs. A friendly and relaxed space in a quiet environment to make friends, share in a game or just come along to eat your lunch in a quiet and welcoming space.
Support transitioning to university
Starting university can be a daunting prospect for everyone. To make the transition a little easier, we've got early meetups and adjusted events to help you feel at home.
Meet the teams
Over the summer, we invite students to get in touch to discuss their support needs with our specialist teams. You’ll have the opportunity to meet in person or speak over the phone with a specialist about any adjustments you may need.
Get Sorted!
Each year we run a transition event for students with all disabilities to come and meet their support teams, talk about the support on offer and make sure they have everything in place to start at NTU. It's a lot of fun, and feedback has been extremely positive.
Book your placeWelcome Week
There are quiet hours at the start of each of the Freshers’ Fairs, so you can go along before the crowds arrive. There are also a variety of “Small and Friendly” events across all our campuses, offering a more quiet and relaxed welcome to NTU.
More about Welcome WeekGet in touch
If you have any questions or require any assistance, contact the team at autism.support@ntu.ac.uk or phone us on +44 (0)115 848 2085 (option 3).
We welcome comments to improve our service. If you have feedback with any aspect of the service you receive from our team, please let us know.