ADHD / dyslexia at Uni

[Prang]

My DS is really struggling with A levels - organising himself, processing info, getting easily distracted etc.

he gets extra time at school for exams but hasn’t got a diagnosis of any specific condition. I really worry about him going off to uni and think I should get a private screening for ADHD and dyslexia. Does anyone have a recommendation of who to approach (we are in London) please? Ideally someone who can screen for both ADHD and dyslexia so I don’t have to pay for two assessments.

Directory www.achippp.org.uk/directory
Or ask his potential uni for suggestions

Uni may require there own assessments done by their preferred provider (not all, but some do demand this) and these will be payable by the student (approx £4-600). Might be worth checking with the uni before getting one that he may have to be redone.

If he gets a diagnosis he can look in to claiming DSA (Disabled Students Allowance)

How was it assessed/evidenced that your DS is eligible for extra time in exams in school? I believe it is quite strict/formal. When my DS was at school he had “access arrangements” I think they were called - a quiet room as he is hearing impaired and the local authority sensory impairment team visited so I assume sorted/evidenced through them. I admit I have no idea - wish I had been more involved! He went to local college for 6th form. SENCO there did some tests. Got 50% extra time in exams!! That would have been good at GCSEs. We were given a copy of the assessment report that the college submitted to JCQ to get him the extra time. When applying for student finance he checked the box for Disabled Student Allowance which triggered another process. It involved uploading this document from college and going to GP for them to complete a form (I guided him on what to put as GP doesn’t know DS) The assessment report from college was key evidence for DSA imo. Then he went for an assessment at university centre (need not be Uni he attended) after which he was given lots of support/equipment eg laptop plus software (there is a contribution £200?)

I was assessed after initial screening at my university induction. The assessment cost me £75 instead of the £500 if I had gone privately.

I would recommend a diagnosis as early as possible and prior to Uni. The shift to Uni for 'ADHD tenancy' young people can be hugely challenging as the school and home scaffolding melts away.

My son has been trying to get an ADHD diagnosis at Uni. He was first considered a priority and then down graded and not taken forward by the NHS and advised he could go private if he wanted to. He has been put off by the whole process and now says he just wants to be himself.

His fairly extreme executive disfunction made the first year of Uni quite a struggle after being high performing and super driven at school but he is getting his act together in the 2nd year now with a much more sympathetic tutor this year. Uni systems these days are fairly unforgiving - 20 mins late uploading your course work and you lose 10% with a quickly escalating scale. With a diagnosis you don't suffer those penalties so much.

What he really needs is a secretary / a Jeeves!!

I would recommend a diagnosis as early as possible and prior to Uni. The shift to Uni for 'ADHD tenancy' young people can be hugely challenging as the school and home scaffolding melts away.

I agree. Students don't get chased for outstanding work. The onus is on the student to hand work in on time.

My friend had access to her son's university emails so she could chivvy him along to get the work handed in on time. It worked because he achieved a 2.1 at a well regarded RG university.

DS was assessed during his first year at Uni and diagnosed with ADHD and Dyslexia which had been suggested many times while he’s was at school but was never taken seriously by them. He is now being supported for the first time ever and is hoping that his DSA application is approved and he can get everything, including a laptop with specialist software, that the assessor recommended. I would say though that the onus is still on the student to ask for help, don’t expect them to be looked after.

How old is he @Prang?

If he's over 18 you might get a diagnosis for ADHD through the GP.