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Anyone with similar issues? DSA

I'd be really interested to know if anyone has experienced a similar situation to my daughter. She's due to start uni this year. She has Meares Irlen syndrome/visual stress and processing difficulties (verbal, auditory, sensory).
She applied for DSA and was asked to go for a needs assessment which she did. The assessor was very helpful and showed her some computer software that daughter thought would be useful along with other items. The report was written and sent off. Then she received an email saying she shouldn't have had an assessment in the first place.
My main questions are 1. has anyone with processing difficulties received anything from DSA? 2. Does DSA often disregard needs assessment advice? 3. Do people with ASD have any help from DSA? 4. Has anyone been told their needs assessment was a mistake?

Daughter is going to get help towards cost of tinted lenses which is great but I'd just like to make sense of what 'conditions' are recognised as I can't find a specific list.

Many thanks for reading my ramble. :wink:
Reply 1
Original post by cezanne
I'd be really interested to know if anyone has experienced a similar situation to my daughter. She's due to start uni this year. She has Meares Irlen syndrome/visual stress and processing difficulties (verbal, auditory, sensory).
She applied for DSA and was asked to go for a needs assessment which she did. The assessor was very helpful and showed her some computer software that daughter thought would be useful along with other items. The report was written and sent off. Then she received an email saying she shouldn't have had an assessment in the first place.
My main questions are 1. has anyone with processing difficulties received anything from DSA? 2. Does DSA often disregard needs assessment advice? 3. Do people with ASD have any help from DSA? 4. Has anyone been told their needs assessment was a mistake?

Daughter is going to get help towards cost of tinted lenses which is great but I'd just like to make sense of what 'conditions' are recognised as I can't find a specific list.

Many thanks for reading my ramble. :wink:


As a DSA assessor and Irlen screener I can state that she should have had an assessment of need if suitable evidence of Irlen syndrome (approved Irlen screening or equivalent) was submitted. An assessment based on irlen only would allow a student to access screen masking software, Irlen spectral filtered lenses and general allowance for coloured paper, as well as some exam concessions relating to paper and lighting.

For the additional processing difficulties suitable ed pych/ medical evidence would need to submitted detailing this (and as this can be a number of things so various recommendations can be made). If a letter stating to attend a study needs assessment was given, then you have the right to attend one and expect the recommendations be put in place.
Reply 2
Original post by NJones
As a DSA assessor and Irlen screener I can state that she should have had an assessment of need if suitable evidence of Irlen syndrome (approved Irlen screening or equivalent) was submitted. An assessment based on irlen only would allow a student to access screen masking software, Irlen spectral filtered lenses and general allowance for coloured paper, as well as some exam concessions relating to paper and lighting.

For the additional processing difficulties suitable ed pych/ medical evidence would need to submitted detailing this (and as this can be a number of things so various recommendations can be made). If a letter stating to attend a study needs assessment was given, then you have the right to attend one and expect the recommendations be put in place.


Thanks for your reply.
I'm still a bit confused. She was diagnosed with Meares Irlen by an orthoptist/learning difficulties clinic at the hospital and this is in writing (post 16). She was diagnosed with processing difficulties by paediatrician, speech and language therapist and occupational therapist, but this was before she was 16. She was seen by a 'specialist teacher approved by head of centre when she started a-levels (post 16) and had the following assessments: 'Symbol Digit Modalities Test of short term working visual memory - SS 79, Digit Memory Test of short term working auditory memory - SS 89, Test of Word Reading Efficiency- SS78, Comprehensive Test of Phonological Processing Alternative Rapid Naming- SS 67'

I'm presuming this report alone is not enough? When she asked for clarification the DSA said they would need a 'psychologist's report for dyslexia or other specific learning difficulty which includes verbal, auditory and sensoryprocessing difficulties in order to be considered for eligibility' and that 'Verbal, auditory and sensory processing difficulties alone in conjunction with Meares Irlen Syndrome would not be acceptable'. So I’m guessing they want a label for the processing difficulties?

You say that she was right to have a needs assessment for Meares Irlen? however the email she received from a DSA assessor said that 'We have mistakenly agreed for you to attend a needs assessment for Irlen syndrome which is a condition that does not warrant a needs assessment.’ So they have in affect dismissed the needs assessment report completely.

It would have been good to have things sorted before she starts at university but I think she will have to wait to see disability support there to work out what is best.
Thanks again for your insight.
Reply 3
It is likely that a full educational psychologist diagnostic assessment and report is what is required for the processing difficulties. The people you mention can be used to identify certain difficulties but not educational aspects. SFE are now using a set of list of tests that are required within an ed psych report. If one is missing they are requesting it be completed.

As an Irlen regional centre we do assess students based solely on Irlen syndrome only, so SFE should allow this. To say this is a condition that does not warrant a needs assessment is wrong. It is a recognised disability under equality law.
(edited 9 years ago)
Reply 4
Is there any update to this please? I know it is 5 years on but I am having similar issues

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