ADHD support
Learn more about the support available for students who have ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder).
The ADHD Support Team
There is a range of support available for ADHD students including:
- advice sessions with an ADHD Disability Officer,
- a combination of in-house and external one-to-one DSA support,
- exam arrangements,
- social activities, including a weekly lunch club,
- transition support for applicants.
You can refer yourself to the team at any point by completing the Support & Wellbeing Form.
Your Disability Officer
We have a Disability Officer dedicated to working with students with ADHD. They will be your key point of contact while studying at NTU, and can support you to get an Access Statement in place – as well as arranging your support needs.
Our Disability Officer and a team of practitioners offer advice sessions for students who want to get their support set up or to discuss support and help at university. They can also help with matters such as:
- information on applying for Disabled Students' Allowances (DSAs),
- access statements and exam arrangements,
- how to get a diagnosis,
- academic liaison.
If you have evidence of an ADHD diagnosis, or are on a waiting list for a diagnosis, please book an advice session with us to find out what support is available.
Book an ADHD advice session hereAccess statements and exam arrangements
Your access statement details any reasonable adjustment that we have recommended for you to support your studies and will be shared with your academic school and the exams team at NTU. Visit our webpage about access statements to find out more information.
Your disability officer can set up an access statement for you in an advice session if you have evidence of your diagnosis or referral for a diagnosis. Please book an advice session to set up your access statement and send in your evidence of a diagnosis.
If you do not have, or can not find evidence of your diagnosis, you can use this form to take to the doctors for them to complete.
Please be aware that if we have not had your medical evidence by the end of February, you may not get your arrangements put in place for the end of year exams.
If you already know what works for you, you can create your own Access Statement.
Get an Access StatementHow to get 1-1 regular support during your studies through the Disabled Student Allowance
It is important to note that support in HE is not like at school or college, you have to apply for in advance through your funding body to ensure this support can be put in place by your university. This is worth doing as we know students with support in place do better at university.
As a student with ADHD, or if you are on a waiting list for a diagnosis, you may be eligible for a Disabled Students Allowance (DSA). DSAs are intended to cover any extra costs or expense that arise because of your disability while studying, as well as recommending and funding any non-medical helper (person) support you might need.
If you think you might need:
- a weekly check in,
- someone to talk to,
- support with your assignments,
- organisation and time management support,
you need to apply for this in advance through DSA, preferably before you start your studies as the application can take a few months.
This DSA video will talk you through the application.
If you can't find evidence of your diagnosis, you can you can take this form to your GP and ask them to complete it for you.
Support available through DSA
Specialist one-to-one Study Skills support:
One-to-one support can develop your organisational, research and time management skills, as well as your independence.
Specialist mentoring
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 work-load.
Our specialist DSA funded support is provided through a mix of internal support and external agency support.
Getting a Diagnosis: ADHD at university
The transition to university can be as much if not more of a test of students’ time management and organisational skills as their academic ones. This major change in the living and studying environment can lead to some students questioning whether they may in fact have ADHD.
As ADHD requires a medical diagnosis, we are unable to diagnose ADHD within the team or refer students for a diagnosis. Speaking to your GP is the first step to getting that diagnosis in place, which can be difficult, so we have some tips below on how to prepare yourself and initiate that conversation:
Is it worth getting a diagnosis?
This is entirely up to you. The referral process can be a long one, but as soon as you are on that waiting list for a diagnosis, you are eligible for the Disabled Students' Allowance which will allow you to get ADHD mentoring and study skills during your studies, as well as come technology support.
First steps for seeking a diagnosis
- Book an appointment with your GP to start the process.
- Give yourself enough time to prepare, ask for a double appointment if you are nervous about the time constraints.
- GPs may ask about symptoms in childhood and adulthood, so it is a good idea to prepare beforehand.
- The Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale is the most used pre-screening tool - it can be helpful to complete one together with someone who knows you well and then take it to your GP appointment.
- A diagnosis of ADHD requires significant impairment in multiple areas of your life.
- There also needs to be evidence of symptoms before the age of 12.
- Think about how your symptoms affect your work, social, home and personal life.
- Even if your GP does not ask about all this, it will be helpful for your consultation.
If you want to talk to someone about the process before seeing your GP, please book a "think you have ADHD/Autism" appointment below:
Book here if you think you might have ADHD and want advice on a diagnosis Visit our ADHD SharePoint site here for more information and supportFor more information on seeking a diagnosis, take a look at the ADHD UK website.
Neurodiverse lunch clubs
Join in with one of our “JAM” 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.