The Student Room Group

Is DSA worth it?

I have dyslexia and am wondering if is worth going through DSA as it will cost around £600 to be tested so I can apply.
I also have a Macbook which is now 5 years old and not sure if it will last throughout uni so wondering if granted one how much they contribute to a new Macbook.

Thanks.
Assessment is free, and they contribute about £175 for a laptop, you have to contribute £200 towards the laptop.
Reply 2
Original post by random_matt
Assessment is free, and they contribute about £175 for a laptop, you have to contribute £200 towards the laptop.


thanks
Reply 3
Original post by joseph9012
I have dyslexia and am wondering if is worth going through DSA as it will cost around £600 to be tested so I can apply.
I also have a Macbook which is now 5 years old and not sure if it will last throughout uni so wondering if granted one how much they contribute to a new Macbook.

Thanks.


When you say to be tested what do you mean?
Reply 4
Original post by Kindred
When you say to be tested what do you mean?


A ‘diagnostic assessment’ from a psychologist or suitably qualified specialist teacher.
Reply 5
Original post by joseph9012
A ‘diagnostic assessment’ from a psychologist or suitably qualified specialist teacher.


Have you been diagnosed already? If so that is likely enough and if not your uni (/future uni) should be able to help set something up for you. I was diagnosed through uni and it did not cos me £600.
Have a talk to student support about it and they can guide you through the process.
Original post by Kindred
Have you been diagnosed already? If so that is likely enough and if not your uni (/future uni) should be able to help set something up for you. I was diagnosed through uni and it did not cos me £600.
Have a talk to student support about it and they can guide you through the process.


I swear he/she was talking about the assessment you have to have if you apply for DSA, which they pay for if you qualify for it. So they need medical evidence obviously.
Reply 7
I'm talking about the test you need to show as proof when applying for DSA which they say I need to be reassessed if the test was taken before I was 16 (which it was). So if I take a test and I qualify for DSA they will pay you back the cost of the test?
(edited 5 years ago)
Reply 8
Original post by joseph9012
I'm talking about the test you need to show as proof when applying for DSA which they say I need to be reassessed if the test was taken before I was 16 (which it was). So if I take a test and I qualify for DSA they will pay you back the cost of the test?


Talk to your unis student support. They should be able to help. I am under the impression there is some process for cheap assessment.
Original post by joseph9012
I'm talking about the test you need to show as proof when applying for DSA which they say I need to be reassessed if the test was taken before I was 16 (which it was). So if I take a test and I qualify for DSA they will pay you back the cost of the test?


dsa can't cover the cost to get your diagnosis /the evidence you need, but it should be much less than £600 as your university can refer you to a cheaper educational psychologist (it was five years ago,but my full diagnostic assessment only came to £185). To answer your question, yes it's worth it, i think i got a few thousand worth of support when you consider the study skills support and all the software they offer. They don't really offer macs anymore, you'd have to pay an upgrade cost on top of the £200 contribution to get one.
Reply 10
Original post by claireestelle
dsa can't cover the cost to get your diagnosis /the evidence you need, but it should be much less than £600 as your university can refer you to a cheaper educational psychologist (it was five years ago,but my full diagnostic assessment only came to £185). To answer your question, yes it's worth it, i think i got a few thousand worth of support when you consider the study skills support and all the software they offer. They don't really offer macs anymore, you'd have to pay an upgrade cost on top of the £200 contribution to get one.


Thanks
In my case, I am in receipt of PIP so that entitled me to DSA. Had my assessment on Wednesday and it went well. Just hoping SFE will agree .
DSA would also give you things like exam arrangements, as well as any software and non-medical human support (such as a note taker) you may need. So yes, it is worth it.
I doubt I would've graduated without DSA so, yeah, it's most definitely worth it.
Original post by Pathway
I doubt I would've graduated without DSA so, yeah, it's most definitely worth it.

Same here.
Original post by Seamus123
Same here.


:five: Congratulations! Not sure when you graduated, but I graduated all the way back in 2016, haha.
Original post by Pathway
:five: Congratulations! Not sure when you graduated, but I graduated all the way back in 2016, haha.

I have completed and graduate next month.
Original post by Seamus123
I have completed and graduate next month.


Congratulations!
I have physical health conditions, but felt like there was not much DSA could do for me. I have a laptop and student finance gives me a grant each year that I can use for any equipment. My uni knows about my conditions though, so they can support me better and give me a break if things get tough.
Original post by joseph9012
I have dyslexia and am wondering if is worth going through DSA as it will cost around £600 to be tested so I can apply.
I also have a Macbook which is now 5 years old and not sure if it will last throughout uni so wondering if granted one how much they contribute to a new Macbook.

Thanks.


Hi
Its definitely worth applying and the University makes it quite simple to do so, you do get a lot of benefits if you do. I didnt in my first and second year for my diabetes as I wasn't aware how to do it and I got more loan this year because I did. If you go to your student support they should give you a form and send it off for you once you and your assessor / Dr completed it. A few of my friends who are dyslexic wish they had. You can also then be eligible for extensions too. And as far as I am aware it shouldn't cost you to be tested either.


Thanks

Chandni

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