DSA Needs Assessment
I am having a needs assessment for DSA (autism) soon, but I honestly don't even know what to say in it.
I don't see how I could get anything funded, I'm not really sure I need any equipment, I don't need an AAC device. What could they fund/provide that could help me with this? A one-to-one mentor maybe? Kind of wondering why I even applied.
In sixth form, I needed a word processor for exams as my handwriting was unreadable, but I don't see how this is relevant to autism, or relevant at all, seeing as all my coursework is digital.
Has anyone else done this needs assessment for autism, and what did they end up being eligible for?
I don't see how I could get anything funded, I'm not really sure I need any equipment, I don't need an AAC device. What could they fund/provide that could help me with this? A one-to-one mentor maybe? Kind of wondering why I even applied.
In sixth form, I needed a word processor for exams as my handwriting was unreadable, but I don't see how this is relevant to autism, or relevant at all, seeing as all my coursework is digital.
Has anyone else done this needs assessment for autism, and what did they end up being eligible for?
Original post by lelkat
I am having a needs assessment for DSA (autism) soon, but I honestly don't even know what to say in it.
I don't see how I could get anything funded, I'm not really sure I need any equipment, I don't need an AAC device. What could they fund/provide that could help me with this? A one-to-one mentor maybe? Kind of wondering why I even applied.
In sixth form, I needed a word processor for exams as my handwriting was unreadable, but I don't see how this is relevant to autism, or relevant at all, seeing as all my coursework is digital.
Has anyone else done this needs assessment for autism, and what did they end up being eligible for?
I don't see how I could get anything funded, I'm not really sure I need any equipment, I don't need an AAC device. What could they fund/provide that could help me with this? A one-to-one mentor maybe? Kind of wondering why I even applied.
In sixth form, I needed a word processor for exams as my handwriting was unreadable, but I don't see how this is relevant to autism, or relevant at all, seeing as all my coursework is digital.
Has anyone else done this needs assessment for autism, and what did they end up being eligible for?
What about additional time, rest breaks in exams and sit them in a smaller room. They'll explore software that might help too and, yes, maybe a mentor. Just go open-minded as they may have ideas you haven't thought of.
Original post by Muttley79
What about additional time, rest breaks in exams and sit them in a smaller room. They'll explore software that might help too and, yes, maybe a mentor. Just go open-minded as they may have ideas you haven't thought of.
My course is English, so 100% coursework. I'll be open minded but honestly just wondering why I applied lol, hoping they have something I haven't heard of/not expecting yet
Thank you for help!
Original post by lelkat
My course is English, so 100% coursework. I'll be open minded but honestly just wondering why I applied lol, hoping they have something I haven't heard of/not expecting yet
Thank you for help!
Thank you for help!
They might offer you a printer and consumables, a 'better' laptop, ... it'll be worth going
They will offer software such as lecture recordings (I'm also autistic) and I struggle with keeping up with the pace of lectures and all the content so I can record them and watch them back later. I also have an app called brain in hand which is built for autistic people and helps with routine and things to do when routine is distrubed. There was also another one that summarieses articles (don't know how many articles you have in English) as I can't prorisite or summarise. There was also one that did referencing and structured my essays for me. There was also one to store all the work you have to do in and it hides the tasks that aren't urgent. Also I got a mental health mentor (I do have a diagnosis of anxiety and depression as well) but apparently they give a mentor to all autistic students. I also go a different mentor that did skills such as study skills and uni life stuff. I also got extended book loans from the library even though the uni also did this, I also got some money for printing. Sorry for the long list hope some of it is helpful
Original post by Jess_Lomas
They will offer software such as lecture recordings (I'm also autistic) and I struggle with keeping up with the pace of lectures and all the content so I can record them and watch them back later. I also have an app called brain in hand which is built for autistic people and helps with routine and things to do when routine is distrubed. There was also another one that summarieses articles (don't know how many articles you have in English) as I can't prorisite or summarise. There was also one that did referencing and structured my essays for me. There was also one to store all the work you have to do in and it hides the tasks that aren't urgent. Also I got a mental health mentor (I do have a diagnosis of anxiety and depression as well) but apparently they give a mentor to all autistic students. I also go a different mentor that did skills such as study skills and uni life stuff. I also got extended book loans from the library even though the uni also did this, I also got some money for printing. Sorry for the long list hope some of it is helpful
Thank you, this is very helpful!
Mentor most likely!! (And possibly other bits of software) Use your mentor - I've been told that lots of people don't, but they will be your lifeline. I could not get through without my mentor, they're absolutely amazing and truly help me so so much.
They will help you organise your life and keep on track, and are so lovely. They're trained to be non-judgemental and work with where you are, rather than where you should be.
Like I log onto a meeting with my mentor and she's like 'Hi! How was your week?' and I say 'Absolutely awful! I did nothing and didn't attend a single one of my classes and also I have a deadline in two days.' and she goes 'Okay! Let's see what we can do to figure this out together.'
They're also usually pretty knowledgeable at navigating university systems if you need extra help or support <3
Best of luck!
They will help you organise your life and keep on track, and are so lovely. They're trained to be non-judgemental and work with where you are, rather than where you should be.
Like I log onto a meeting with my mentor and she's like 'Hi! How was your week?' and I say 'Absolutely awful! I did nothing and didn't attend a single one of my classes and also I have a deadline in two days.' and she goes 'Okay! Let's see what we can do to figure this out together.'
They're also usually pretty knowledgeable at navigating university systems if you need extra help or support <3
Best of luck!
Okay, if it helps anyone in the future looking at this thread, I was offered:
- 42 hours a year with a specialist mentor.
- 42 hours a year with a study skills mentor.
- Contribution towards a laptop, which has 3 pieces of software: A note taking one, a mindmapping one, and one that transcribes speech. Will probably have to see how useful these are, and also what exactly they offer. I also get training on how to use the software.
I genuinely think the mentors will come in most useful, as I need a lot of further clarification, but I don't want to seem stupid or bother my tutors.
Thanks everyone for your help!
- 42 hours a year with a specialist mentor.
- 42 hours a year with a study skills mentor.
- Contribution towards a laptop, which has 3 pieces of software: A note taking one, a mindmapping one, and one that transcribes speech. Will probably have to see how useful these are, and also what exactly they offer. I also get training on how to use the software.
I genuinely think the mentors will come in most useful, as I need a lot of further clarification, but I don't want to seem stupid or bother my tutors.
Thanks everyone for your help!
Original post by lelkat
Okay, if it helps anyone in the future looking at this thread, I was offered:
- 42 hours a year with a specialist mentor.
- 42 hours a year with a study skills mentor.
- Contribution towards a laptop, which has 3 pieces of software: A note taking one, a mindmapping one, and one that transcribes speech. Will probably have to see how useful these are, and also what exactly they offer. I also get training on how to use the software.
I genuinely think the mentors will come in most useful, as I need a lot of further clarification, but I don't want to seem stupid or bother my tutors.
Thanks everyone for your help!
- 42 hours a year with a specialist mentor.
- 42 hours a year with a study skills mentor.
- Contribution towards a laptop, which has 3 pieces of software: A note taking one, a mindmapping one, and one that transcribes speech. Will probably have to see how useful these are, and also what exactly they offer. I also get training on how to use the software.
I genuinely think the mentors will come in most useful, as I need a lot of further clarification, but I don't want to seem stupid or bother my tutors.
Thanks everyone for your help!
I had a mentor once, never did come to a conclusion if they were an asset or not. The speech software was great though, it was called dragon or something along those lines.
Original post by random_matt
I had a mentor once, never did come to a conclusion if they were an asset or not. The speech software was great though, it was called dragon or something along those lines.
Ah yeah, I think that's the one I'm getting! Do you mind letting me know why you found it useful? Not really sure what to expect.
I'm hoping the mentors are useful. I was told I could change them if I wasn't finding them helpful. What was yours like?
Original post by lelkat
Ah yeah, I think that's the one I'm getting! Do you mind letting me know why you found it useful? Not really sure what to expect.
I'm hoping the mentors are useful. I was told I could change them if I wasn't finding them helpful. What was yours like?
I'm hoping the mentors are useful. I was told I could change them if I wasn't finding them helpful. What was yours like?
The software was useful in times when it felt easier to talk rather than type, I probably did not use it much though. Maybe it can work with recorded lectures. My mentor was fine, just talked about the week and what work I had to complete and went through with whatever I was struggling with.
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