Academic support for neurodiverse students

What support are there for students who are in the autistic spectrum from the student wellbeing team at the following universities?
1. Loughborough
2. University of Birmingham
3. Royal Holloway
4. Surrey University
5. University of Sussex
6. University of Reading
7. Lancaster University

Reply 1

chloe_b_h

8

Original post by Anonymous

What support are there for students who are in the autistic spectrum from the student wellbeing team at the following universities?
1. Loughborough
2. University of Birmingham
3. Royal Holloway
4. Surrey University
5. University of Sussex
6. University of Reading
7. Lancaster University

Hey I'm on the spectrum too and I'm going to RHUL in September
What help I'm getting isn't confirmed yet, but they offer things such as extra time for exams and different rooms, being given resources and notes and PowerPoints etc before lectures, giving presentations to smaller groups. There are probably other things too but I'm can't quite remember.

Have you also applied for DSA?? The academic help they can provide is outstanding.

Reply 2

Royal Holloway, University of London

Official Rep

13

Original post by Anonymous

What support are there for students who are in the autistic spectrum from the student wellbeing team at the following universities?
1. Loughborough
2. University of Birmingham
3. Royal Holloway
4. Surrey University
5. University of Sussex
6. University of Reading
7. Lancaster University

Hi there,

Thanks for your message.

At Royal Holloway, our team is dedicated to supporting your needs. We can help with exam arrangements, academic and library support, diagnostic assessments and accessing disabled students' allowance (DSA) as well as making any other reasonable adjustments you require while you're with us.

Once you've confirmed Royal Holloway as your first choice of university, we recommend you get in touch with us as soon as possible so we can get started on organising the support you need. You can email us or call us on +44 (0)1784 41462.

In the meantime, please find some useful information on our website: https://royalholloway.ac.uk/student-life/support-and-wellbeing/Disability-and-neurodiversity-support/.

We hope this helps.

Royal Holloway, University of London Official Rep

(edited 1 month ago)

Reply 3

University of Surrey Student Rep

Official Rep

15

Original post by Anonymous

What support are there for students who are in the autistic spectrum from the student wellbeing team at the following universities?
1. Loughborough
2. University of Birmingham
3. Royal Holloway
4. Surrey University
5. University of Sussex
6. University of Reading
7. Lancaster University

Hi Anon#1,

At Surrey, we offer a wide range of support to students with disabilities. I am registered with the Disability and Neuroinclusion team (D&N) at the university to speak from experience.

Have you applied for the Disability Student Allowance (DSA)? DSA is part of your student finance and provides funding for students with health conditions or disabilities. For example, it can fund equipment such as microphones to record lectures, a laptop, a printer along with any other specialist equipment. You can also receive funding to provide you with a Study Skills and Specialist Mentor who can guide you throughout your time at university. Please discuss further details with your needs assessor.

D&N can also provide reasonable adjustments to your lectures, seminars, tutorials etc. For example, studying in a quieter area, providing a note-taker or adjusting group work. For exams, D&N can request adjustments including extra time, separate room, rest breaks, scribes, laptops and much more. More information can be found on our website here. You can also contact them by emailing [email protected]k.

D&N also organises a weekly workshop for those who are registered with them, which can be an excellent way to meet new people who share similar struggles and make new friends. We have several support services outside of the D&N team. Seminar leaders and lecturers are all supportive and flexible with their lessons. You are always welcome to contact them for further support during their office hours if you are struggling with the course material.

It’s worth visiting on an open day to find out more. If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to ask.

All the best,
Daniel

Reply 4

rsofia

10

Hi! I can’t speak for the other universities, but I’m going to Sussex for my first year this September.

So far, they’ve been really really great in helping me support my disability. They’ve given me a bunch of adjustments to make things easier for me, including a personal disability advisor, to help support me and advise me on a 1-1 basis twice a week.

When I told them I needed a room swap because of my disability, they sorted it within a day or two. The disability team has been super responsive and helpful.

I can’t speak for how it’ll actually be when I arrive. It could be all this and then suck when I actually arrive. But so far, it’s been a great experience

Reply 5

Anonymous #2

Original post by rsofia

Hi! I can’t speak for the other universities, but I’m going to Sussex for my first year this September.
So far, they’ve been really really great in helping me support my disability. They’ve given me a bunch of adjustments to make things easier for me, including a personal disability advisor, to help support me and advise me on a 1-1 basis twice a week.
When I told them I needed a room swap because of my disability, they sorted it within a day or two. The disability team has been super responsive and helpful.
I can’t speak for how it’ll actually be when I arrive. It could be all this and then suck when I actually arrive. But so far, it’s been a great experience

If you're comfortable sharing, what is your disability?

Reply 6

rsofia

10

Original post by Anonymous

If you're comfortable sharing, what is your disability?

No problem! Mine are all mental. I’ve got generalised anxiety disorder and severe borderline personality disorder.

They’ve been so incredibly understanding of this. For example, when I told them I couldn’t wait until after fresher’s to swap rooms because of my anxiety/bpd meltdowns and panics, they completely understood and let me swap earlier than we’re supposed to do that wouldn’t happen.

Reply 7

anonymoususerUK

12

Original post by rsofia

No problem! Mine are all mental. I’ve got generalised anxiety disorder and severe borderline personality disorder.
They’ve been so incredibly understanding of this. For example, when I told them I couldn’t wait until after fresher’s to swap rooms because of my anxiety/bpd meltdowns and panics, they completely understood and let me swap earlier than we’re supposed to do that wouldn’t happen.

I'm autistic, and the support and accommodations at Royal Holloway are very good.

There is also the RHUL Neurodivergent society, which supports RHUL students who are members of the neurodivergent community.

(edited 1 month ago)

Original post by Anonymous

What support are there for students who are in the autistic spectrum from the student wellbeing team at the following universities?
1. Loughborough
2. University of Birmingham
3. Royal Holloway
4. Surrey University
5. University of Sussex
6. University of Reading
7. Lancaster University

Hi there 🙂

The Uni of Reading offers lots of support for students on the autistic spectrum. I have attached further information here incase you want to take a look on our website here.

The Disability Advisory Service (DAS) is here at the University of Reading to help you along your journey at uni. There are lots of options for support and adjustments if you want to access them.

At the beginning of each academic year, DAS co-ordinates Early Start which is a small event for some students with autism who are new to the university. This programme allows autistic students to move into uni accommodation earlier than the main cohort to allow time to adjust and settle in to the new location and education setting. This does have limited spaces and operates with a waiting list to contact DAS at the earliest opportunity if this is of interest 🙂

We have a lot of quiet, sensory places on campus. The Student's Union also have lots of events available which may be of interest. The Autistic Social Group is for students on the autistic spectrum to make conversation, sit and listen, play board games and more🙂

It is worth noting that the Disability Advisory Service (DAS) can be contacted via email - [email protected]
Or they can be contacted between 10:00 and 16:00 via telephone - 0118 378 4202

I hope this helps! Let me know if you have any more questions!

All the best,
Millie :smile:

BSc International Development

Reply 9

Loughborough University

Official Rep

16

Original post by Anonymous

What support are there for students who are in the autistic spectrum from the student wellbeing team at the following universities?
1. Loughborough
2. University of Birmingham
3. Royal Holloway
4. Surrey University
5. University of Sussex
6. University of Reading
7. Lancaster University

Hi there,

The Student Support Team at Loughborough University can offer individual support to students who are on the autistic spectrum. If you receive an offer from us then please do make contact with them. They can meet with you to discuss your needs and set up a plan to provide the support you might need with any aspect of going to university, be it applying for the DSA, studying, attending lectures, or finding suitable accommodation. There is detailed information on our website:
Disability Support - Autistic Spectrum Conditions | Student Services | Loughborough University (lboro.ac.uk)

I hope this information will be helpful.

Imogen, Student Recruitment Marketing Team

Academic support for neurodiverse students

Quick Reply

Related discussions

Articles for you