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Dyslexia, ADHD & SpLD support

This support enables you to develop relevant skills and strategies over the course of your time at university, and to support you in achieving your full learning potential – while you’re studying here, and throughout your future career.

Support for learning difficulties

Our Dyslexia Support team supports students with specific learning difficulties (SpLD), such as dyslexia, dyspraxia and ADHD.

By telling us about your SpLD as early as possible, we can identify your support needs and ensure we are accommodating them from the very start of your university experience.

Ideally, include your SpLD on your application form. You're not obliged to declare it, but if you choose not to, you may not be able to access our full range of support services.

We require evidence of your SpLD in order to put your exam adjustments or one-to-one support in place. We'll require this evidence before the start of your course. Please forward your documentation on to us, even if you're awaiting exam results.

For dyslexia, this will be a photocopy of a full diagnostic assessment, written by a qualified assessor who holds an approved qualification and is either:

  • a specialist teacher assessor holding a current SpLD Assessment Practising Certificate (APC)
  • a practitioner psychologist, registered with the HCPC.

Dyspraxia and ADHD may be assessed by medical professionals, in which case we will need written confirmation from them of the diagnosis, and a clear indication of the condition's impact on your studies. Please let us know if you are on a waiting list for an ADHD Diagnosis.

You'll need to secure a formal diagnosis before you enrol at NTU. This enables us to coordinate your support before you've started your course. If you need any help regarding the assessment required by Student Finance for an application for the Disabled Students Allowances (DSA), please visit the SASCPatoss Tutor or DirectGov website.

If you require any further advice about your documentation, we recommend that you contact us. If you're a current student, please attend an advice session to discuss the evidence requirements.

If you are an international student with an SpLD, please provide us with a copy (in English) of a full, recent, professional assessment report - and do this as soon as possible after accepting a place on your course. We can then consider any recommendations in the assessment report.

Advice sessions

We run one-to-one advice sessions across all our campuses, where students can ask a dyslexia specialist for advice, or ask questions about things like:

  • your support arrangements
  • exam arrangements
  • applying for a Disabled Students Allowance (DSA)
  • delivering support for SpLDs
  • diagnostic evidence requirements
  • what to do if you think you may have an SpLD, such as dyslexia
  • how to access generic support within NTU, e.g. library study support
  • how to implement the reasonable adjustments recommended by your evidence (e.g. extra time in exams).

Specialist one-to-one support

Specialist one-to-one support is available to students who are in receipt of Disabled Students’ Allowances (DSAs), though it’s important to remember that we can’t give any subject-specific guidance. We provide one-to-one support sessions that are tailored to your needs and can develop your skills in:

  • understanding your thinking and learning style
  • writing, planning, drafting, editing and proof-reading strategies
  • time management and organisation - meeting deadlines, handing in work on time, action plans, and sorting your diary
  • reading and spelling, comprehension, note-taking, reading fluency and research
  • planning, rehearsing and delivering presentations
  • prioritising your own workloads through mind-mapping
  • revision and stress management techniques for exams and assessments
  • using assistive technologies.

Specialist DSA-funded support is provided through a mix of internal support and external agency support.

If we’re unable to see you for any reason – for example, staff illness or absence – we will contact you to rearrange an appointment. DSA funding will not be claimed for sessions cancelled by the Dyslexia Support team.

Experiencing difficulties on your course

Sometimes, the academic challenge of university can highlight difficulties that you’ve not noticed before. You may have experienced difficulties with spelling, composing assignments, or reading academic texts. However, difficulties in these areas do not necessarily mean you are dyslexic. To support your learning, there are a number of self-help resources that we recommend.

If you continue to experience difficulties and want further advice, please contact our Dyslexia Support team.

Get in touch

If you have any questions or require any assistance with the support available, get in touch via email at dyslexia.support@ntu.ac.uk or call us on +44 (0)115 848 4120.

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.