ADHD and DSA

hi everyone!

so I already receive DSA and have support in place within my university as I am diagnosed with OCD and BPD. however, I am in the process of getting an ADHD diagnosis (as in I have been told they are virtually certain I have it I just obviously have to go through the formal channels to receive the diagnosis and correct medication etc).

so my question is, does anyone know if i’d receive any different support or things from DSA to what I already receive? like are there any things that they give specifically for ADHD?

I currently have access to certain pieces of software, like dictation and mind mapping software, a printer, a microphone and portable charger. and I have been allocated a mentor who I’m about to start sessions with. my uni also gives me extra time in assessments and rest breaks and I think I might have limited flexibility with deadlines (like up to 5 days extra maybe).

would this change at all with an ADHD diagnosis? would I be given a mentor with specialist ADHD knowledge, for example, as I think my current one is just a general mentor?

anyway, was just wondering if anyone has any experience with ADHD and DSA

thanks!

(edited 4 months ago)

Reply 1

SuzyQ675

Original post by emilyxsierra

Hi, yes you can be allocated a specialist ADHD mentor once you have your ADHD diagnosis but you could contact your Needs Assessor and ask if they can do an updated needs assessment based on your new diagnosis. This might avoid having to reapply for DSA again and the long wait that goes with that.

You also qualify for a noise-cancelling headset but beware of being fobbed off with an Active Noise Reduction (ANR) headset when you need an Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) headset. My needs assessor recommended the Andrea ANR-1000 which has an ANC microphone BUT only ANR earphones. This makes them useless for supporting focus and distraction from noise with ADHD. They awarded about £250 and this headset costs £75 from Amazon so the supplier is overcharging. I have taken this up with the supplier as the needs assessor says that these are the ones recommended by DSA. The DSA website only mentions what to do if the equipment is faulty and not if it is not fit for use and does not meet the described function.

Hope this helps.

(edited 3 months ago)

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