DSA + Autism

I have my needs assessment in the next few days and I was wondering for any autistic students who recieve DSA, what kind of support do you get? I'm really nervous for the needs assessment as I don't really know many accomodations which may help me as I've only been officially diagnosed just over a year so any suggestions would be appreciated.

Reply 1

queergingerbeer

6

Original post by xcxx

I have my needs assessment in the next few days and I was wondering for any autistic students who recieve DSA, what kind of support do you get? I'm really nervous for the needs assessment as I don't really know many accomodations which may help me as I've only been officially diagnosed just over a year so any suggestions would be appreciated.

I got a laptop with specialist software, a printer, a headset, a mentor and a study skills person

Reply 2

blackeberg

5

There can be other types of support depending on factors such as where you live and how you travel. Some students receive funding towards taxis if sensory difficulties affect their ability to travel by public transport. There could also be help with the cost difference between shared and individual accommodation - this is only available if the university is not involved in the ownership or management of the property. Noise dampening earplugs such as Loops or dBuds are available as part of the equipment allowance.

Reply 3

Jess_Lomas

17

Hi I'm autistic and also have severe anxiety and depression but the stuff for mental health is included in autism but you get more for the autism So I got 2 hour mental health specalist each week (I think this is the only exclusive to anxiety and depression) I also got 2 hour ASD mentoring per week which is like study skills and coping with change (Normally you only get 1 but might get two for ADHD and ASD) Then apart from software they asked about adjustments which you get more of from the uni but there are some like extra time etc that you are supposed to get from DDSS because of the funding (the adjustments you need for exams or presentations etc.) I was also given a printer for free and £186 for ink and paper but they pack this back rather than giving this to you. (I was eligable for a laptop but didn't need one) - I got glean which allows you to record the lectures and make notes whilst recording, adding slides, edit them and many more I was also sent a free microphone with this because of how large the lecture theatres are - I also got Scholarly which you put in an article and then it summarises it for you and seperates the categories - I also got global tasks which is an organised to do list online programme but you can hade tasks and edit it in cool other ways so really useful - I also got pro study which collects all the different articles for different projects and organises them and then does the referencing for you - I also got writing helper which structures the essay and explains what question words mean as well as telling you if you have any plagarism in it and making sure all the targets are done - I also got grammarly premium which helps with the tone of the writing which was really helpful - I also got claro read which adds tints to the screen etc and reads out all the text as well as being able to speak to it and it will type for you and it also has other PDF features - I also got brain in hand which is a app designed for autistic people for routine and having a set bank of solutions when things go wrong Honestly the DSA team are amazing and provide so much support

Reply 4

saz345789

1

Original post by xcxx

I have my needs assessment in the next few days and I was wondering for any autistic students who recieve DSA, what kind of support do you get? I'm really nervous for the needs assessment as I don't really know many accomodations which may help me as I've only been officially diagnosed just over a year so any suggestions would be appreciated.

Hey, sorry this isnt a response to your question, but how did you go about getting a needs assessment? i am autistic hoping to get DSA, starting uni in 2024, is this done by the uni you have firmed? i have also only been officially diagnosed for just over a year, and am in a similar position thinking about accommodations

Reply 5

xcxx

OP

7

Original post by saz345789

Hey, sorry this isnt a response to your question, but how did you go about getting a needs assessment? i am autistic hoping to get DSA, starting uni in 2024, is this done by the uni you have firmed? i have also only been officially diagnosed for just over a year, and am in a similar position thinking about accommodations

You apply for DSA once you've applied for student finance. It's done by a company chosen by student finance who carry the needs assessment out and then they give recommendations to SFE to fund.

(edited 9 months ago)

Reply 6

saz345789

1

Original post by xcxx

You apply for DSA once you've applied for student finance. It's done by a company chosen by student finance who carry the needs assessment out and then they give recommendations to SFE to fund.

thank you

Original post by xcxx

I have my needs assessment in the next few days and I was wondering for any autistic students who recieve DSA, what kind of support do you get? I'm really nervous for the needs assessment as I don't really know many accomodations which may help me as I've only been officially diagnosed just over a year so any suggestions would be appreciated.

@xcxx
Hi, I'm a qualified SENDco and I support a lot of students who claim DSA in H.E - many who are autistic.

The needs assessment is usually a formal chat about your support needs, there are no tests or anything like that. Typically a learner with autism will get an hour a week 1 2 1 support which may be via teams/zoom to support you on your learner journey. This may be delivered by someone on site if they have an MSc in Psychology (or a similar qualification) - they need that to claim the funding according to something called the DSA-QAG.

You will likely have recommended exam arrangements of 25% extra time, or 50% depending on your needs, and also tutors will be advised on how to best support you- perhaps frequent breaks, avoid direct questioning in large groups etc.

Keep in touch with student support where you are studying too, as they will have a Disability Support Officer in some form or another (a large University will have a whole team available).

Marc
Arden University Student Ambassador

DSA + Autism

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