ADHD and exams/uni

[Timwith2noses]

Hi, we have arranged a private assessment for my child who is Y13 and is having real issues with ‘typical’ ADHD symptoms.

His UCAS app is in, but now we have this assessment pending and will receive a report by mid March - If he does get a diagnosis and we inform school at that point, does it count towards anything with regards additional time or consideration for his A levels - given he is really struggling with concentration and motivation at present. Or would it be too late in the year to organise?

With regards uni, as the UCAS application is already completed and in, how would we make uni aware that he needs support in future if he gets the diagnosis we expect?

Some exam adjustment requests would need to be submitted earlier than Easter and need to be established as usual practice in previous exams and assessments. It would help at uni though and he should tick to apply for DSA on his student finance application.

Once he gets offers, it’s a good practice for him to contact the Uni SEN office to go over his support needs with them and hear about what processes they have in place, ie support for DSA needs assessment, requesting extensions, etc.

My friend's son has ADHD and really struggles with meeting deadlines. At university no-one reminds you or chases you for work due as the onus is strictly on the student to read their emails. Work that is handed in late gets marks deducted, and if it isn't handed in at all they get zero marks.

My friend was allowed access to her son's emails so she was on his case all the time to make sure he adhered to deadlines. He graduated with a 2.1.

So I would take @Onnabugeisha's advice, and asked to be copied in on emails to your DS as well. You will need your son's permission.

With regards uni, as the UCAS application is already completed and in, how would we make uni aware that he needs support in future if he gets the diagnosis we expect?

When you apply for Student Finance, you check the DSA box. Then contact the uni's disability support services - the two things, the DSA assessment and the uni's disability support are two different assessments. Sometimes done by people in the same office, university dependent.

thank you all, this is helpful.

My DS had a mentor who tried to help him organise. The uni was a bit more flexible with deadlines too. He graduated with a 2:1 in an MEng. My DD's uni has been less understanding and got docked 5% for submitting an assignment 30 seconds late!

Both Unis were made aware but one is more supportive than the other!

Do you mind me asking which Uni's these were? My DS has just been diagnosed with ADHD in the past month and has offers for Engineering. We are now looking at the support that each one offers.

DS Swansea DD Newcastle @Colliemayhem

Thank you.

A diagnosis wont affect any consideration or extra time at A levels

Nothing you "inform" the school will have any affect

This is dependent on his normal working practice at school, so if he needs extra consideration in his A level classes right now, he can apply for the same consideration in exams - eg rest breaks, extra time

The school will need evidence that this is his habitual way of working, and that it improves his grade, that evidence comes from the school, from his teachers

Not from any diagnosis that parents bring in to school