Exam access arrangements when at uni - but no disability

[Swiftlyintothenight]

DS has always had 25% extra time in exams - in GCSEs and in the A-levels this summer. He qualifies because the school runs the appropriate tests (JCQ?). However, he does not have a disability - he's just a bit slow in processing info. Will his exam access arrangements roll-over to university? I fear not because there was nowhere to declare them in UCAS form - other than if you ticked the disability box (which he couldn't as doesn't have one!).

You are getting confused. DSA is not means tested, it is not like DLA nor UC, but based purely on assessed need.
https://www.gov.uk/disabled-students-allowance-dsa

We are able to test our students - and many are identified with dyslexia amongst other learning disabilities they never knew they had. I'm surprised some don't tbh.

Ask the uni he is intending to go to.

I've seen figures elsewhere (some based on US data) of 15% or "1 in 6" which are also reasonably close. Another criterion used for extra time is to have index scores below 85 on a normed N(100,15) test. By construction, 16% of the population should have index scores below 85 on a given test. So we should expect around 15-20% of kids to be getting extra time or other access arrangements.

Where there is a problem is that you're far more likely to get extra time and other accommodations if you attend a private school with a well-resourced additional needs department, but quite unlikely to get accommodations if you attend an overstretched state school with an inadequate SEN budget and a less favourable staff : student ratio. You're also more likely to get them if you have middle class parents whose budget stretches to private assessments, and very unlikely to get them if you're from a poorer background, not least because even if you're referred for NHS assessments 2+ years before your exams, you may still be on the waiting list when the exams are done.

An example is a child I know extremely well : very bright, in good health, with no underlying conditions. The teachers at his private school decided his writing was a bit messy so he'd be better doing his exams on a word processor and this was magically arranged by the private school with no medical evidence and no SEN/SpLD demonstrated. His parents, who had not pushed or asked for it, were very puzzled but let it go ahead. Conclusion: (some) private schools game the system to obtain accommodations for kids who don't need really them, and wouldn't get them in a state school.

slow at processing and left-handed so slow at writing

Are all left handed people slow at writing?

If these issues affect his day to they count as "disability"
For purpose of uni
Apply to DSA they have assessment centres

If 21.6% of the population are disabled - is it really a disability or just a natural difference between some students being more "academic" (i.e. better at processing info, memory recall, applying learned concepts) than others.

Seems ridiculous that 1/5th of students "need" extra time; sounds like a ploy for schools to boost their integral grades if as many students as possible get extra time!

We have just been through this battle.

DS had extra time in exams and was allowed to type on laptop rather than writing by hand. Although he was assessed a couple of times before the age of 12 for dyspraxia or similar coordination difficulties, he did not have a statement, or a diagnosis. School just put in place the alternative arrangements for him.

When he started Uni we - like you - assumed that because he had had these arrangements at school, that it wouldn't be an issue. Except it was very much an issue. The University disability and wellbeing service insisted on a formal diagnosis before they would even start the conversation about additional arrangements or using laptops or extra time. And they would not do the assessment. So it was a mad scramble to find the appropriate professional, and it cost us £750 for them to tell us what we already knew - that he has significant issues with fine motor control, and that those issues coupled with poor organisation and time management strongly suggest dyspraxia. (Or development coordination disorder, which is the new name for the same thing).

Once we had the piece of paper then doors opened. He has his additional time and works on a laptop, he has a named disability advisor to go to with problems, and is offered software and courses to help him with organisation, planning, revision.

So the key take away - do not assume anything. Ask the explicit questions of the university and if you are in the position of needing to get a formal diagnosis, start the process asap. Good luck!!

Also to add - an Educational Psychologist might not be the right person. For DS and his dyspraxia we were advised that an Occupational Therapist was the better option. Depends on age too - DS had just turned 18 and some professionals I spoke to who specialised in children wouldn't assess him as he was an adult at that stage.

My DS was diagnosed with Autism in November he is in his first year at university. Would he qualify for DSA because he has no specific additional needs. The autism is related to his anxiety and social interaction so as such he wouldn't have any evidence to show for specific needs apart from his diagnostic report.

Probably. If he needs support to access his course, meet deadlines, manage his anxiety etc. The Student Support office can advise him and liaise with the department. Many students with additional needs are diagnosed only once at uni.

So the key take away - do not assume anything. Ask the explicit questions of the university and if you are in the position of needing to get a formal diagnosis, start the process asap.

and don't rely on a casual chat with someone at a stand on an open day. Get it backed up by the University in writing.

The University disability and wellbeing service insisted on a formal diagnosis before they would even start the conversation about additional arrangements or using laptops or extra time. And they would not do the assessment.

This was our experience too.

For DS and his dyspraxia we were advised that an Occupational Therapist was the better option. Depends on age too - DS had just turned 18 and some professionals I spoke to who specialised in children wouldn't assess him as he was an adult at that stage.

Same. Out HA OTs couldn't start to see anyone over 16.
Only Paediatricians could refer in to OT (in our Authority) and the Community Paediatricians wouldn't see any new referrals over 16.
The GP couldn't find any equivalent for adults (or 'in between child and adult' as our dc was at the start of the process)

Yes.
The diagnosis means he can apply for DSA (and it can be from part way through the year, don't have to wait until the start of a new year).
DSA being agreed doesn't give the student a pot of money, it opens the door to start a conversation about what they find difficult, and then what the DSA might provide to help overcome that difficulty.
In your ds's case it could potentially be a mentor to talk through worries twice a week, or facilitate social interaction by accompanying them to some meet ups / societies, or to help rehearse situations around social situations that might make him anxious etc.
Probably all the things you have been doing for years, but now they are living away, and an adult, they might need slightly different support.

If you are looking at diagnostics around neurodivergent conditions it would be best trying to find someone who does neurodivergent condition testing as opposed to individual condition. Many of us have more than one condition and several have overlaps. Dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia and dyspraxia for instance.

And the last infographic :)

@Swiftlyintothenight In addition to all of the above (useful) info, I would encourage you to get information about the likely format of assessments.

My university, like all other institutions in the UK, moved assessment online due to the pandemic. So far, there is no plan to return to pen-and-paper, in-person exams. For some students, this shift will mean they no longer receive any assessment-related accommodations, because the take-home, typed format means they are no longer disadvantaged relative to other students. It very much depends on the individual and their diagnosis.

I should also add that at least in the modules I teach, we never have a huge number of students with personalised assessment arrangements - lots of students have inclusion or disability plans, but getting personalised assessment arrangements requires a bit more, because there is more at stake in terms of fairness and satisfying learning objectives.

@ladykale

My very bright academic daughter masked and coped with her dyslexia and slow-processing disabilities precisely because she is so bright.

The issue only came to light when she had to write timed A level essays in class.

Tests by the school SEN co-ordinator, later confirmed by a qualified EdPsych, showed that DDs difficulties were so bad she immediately qualified for 50% extra time, use of laptop, and rest breaks.

Sorry if you find it ridiculous that these students are just as bright and academic as those without difficulties. Perhaps you need to understand the issue better. These students are not getting an advantage, they are being supported to access a level playing field.

It will depend on the university. The one I work At don’t actually accept diagnosis letters which I find a bit odd. They have to be retested by the university. Although they seem to let anyone have extra time who goes to see them. I would easily say 20% of every cohort have extra time and a lot are people without official diagnosis.

Dd is also a student at this uni and has at least two official diagnosis which would get her extra time but has never in three years got round to making an appt so doesn’t get the extra time! But that’s on her!

Specialist Teacher Assessors can also assess for DSA purposes. You need someone with an assessment practising certificate valid at the time of testing (APC). These people are often not as expensive as EPs. You can find assessors on the “assessor” portal on the PATOSS website - including EPs. Some offer online assessment, others do face to face only.
Doing a DASH writing test is insufficient. You need a full diagnostic assessment for it to be admissible for DSA purposes.
Slow processing speed has been sufficient for DSA purposes for many students. In some cases it is a form of dyslexia too, depending on other factors.

Wishing your son all the best.

reading this thread has made me think about my ds. He never finishes exams because he runs out of time. He keeps getting behind on his work for a levels even though he gets in from college and does work until bed time. He complains he can’t concentrate. Works all weekend on his assignments and still he is miles behind. I’m sure his teacher thinks he’s hardly doing anything at home but he definitely is. I recently did questions on a piece of work at the same time as him and I am definitely not super clever but I had finished the calculation way before he had, even though he correctly answered it took if probably 3 times as long as me. Would this be worth raising with his college, although it’s probably too late now as he has his mocks next week and exams in a few weeks?

No, it isn't. It really isn't.

DD has CFS/ME and took her letter from her therapist to student support, who immediately told her that she was entitled to DSA. At her assessment she was told that they would pay £200 towards a new laptop and they would fund some ergonomic equipment. It was as if they had a bottomless money pit. She also had extra consideration for exams.

At no point were we asked about our income.

DSA is not means tested. dS has DSA, he is Autistic he has exam arrangements, he is getting mentoring, and specialist software and other support funded through DSA. He is not eligible for full maintenance loan though. DSA like other disability support (PIP etc ) is based on the level of need/ impact of disability not on the income of his family.

Thank you for all the really helpful replies and information you have shared. I hugely appreciate it.

@Bimblesalong I would particularly like to thank you for recommending Patoss. We have now found an APC assessor who will be conducting a full diagnostic assessment