Help for students with ADHD and Autism - what help is there?

(Asking for someone else.)
Can someone tell me what help there is for people with ADHD and Autism?

We have a full diagnosis from CAMHS.
We've submitted about 60 pages detailing the diagnosis.

On the phone student finance have said that the application for DLA will be declined.

The application pages specifically say that there is help for mental health issues. The text gives no indication of severity - anyone can claim to have problems I guess. But we have a full diagnosis from CAMHS.
(CAMHS is the health service that helps kids with mental issues.)

At school and college, extra help and assistance was also given.

Looking for advice if there's anything else that can be done.

Thanks.

Reply 1

Muttley79

Original post by matrixhost

(Asking for someone else.)
Can someone tell me what help there is for people with ADHD and Autism?
We have a full diagnosis from CAMHS.
We've submitted about 60 pages detailing the diagnosis.
On the phone student finance have said that the application for DLA will be declined.
The application pages specifically say that there is help for mental health issues. The text gives no indication of severity - anyone can claim to have problems I guess. But we have a full diagnosis from CAMHS.
(CAMHS is the health service that helps kids with mental issues.)
At school and college, extra help and assistance was also given.
Looking for advice if there's anything else that can be done.
Thanks.

DSA is available: https://www.gov.uk/disabled-students-allowance-dsa

Reply 2

matrixhost

Original post by Muttley79

DSA is available: https://www.gov.uk/disabled-students-allowance-dsa

That's the link applied on.

"specific learning difficulty, for example dyslexia or ADHD" - that's what's said on the website.
He has autism, ADHD and Aspergers Syndrome. He scored high on the ratings done while at school.

"Mental health condition A copy of a report or letter from your doctor or consultant - or you can fill in the disability evidence form
Specific learning difficulty such as dyslexia A copy of a ‘diagnostic assessment’ from a practitioner psychologist or suitably qualified specialist teacher"
All have been given. All are from official council run CAMHS (not a private assessment).

The person on the phone said the application would be rejected. But that he would hear back by email or letter in a week or more (they were vague with that answer).

Is there anymore that can be done?

Thanks.

Reply 3

matrixhost

That's the link we applied on.

He was told on the phone that there would be no financial help.

'specific learning difficulty, for example dyslexia or ADHD'
He has autism, ADHD and Aspergers Syndrome.

"Mental health condition A copy of a report or letter from your doctor or consultant - or you can fill in the disability evidence form
Specific learning difficulty such as dyslexia A copy of a ‘diagnostic assessment’ from a practitioner psychologist or suitably qualified specialist teacher"
We gave a report from CAMHS - council run body where you have to wait for years to even just get a first appointment.
We've given their full report that details his conditions and shows that he's score high on their scale.

The person on the phone has said no financial help will be given.
They said he would hear back in written format in 1+ weeks time (they gave a vague estimate).

Is there anything else we can do? Seems really unfair.

Thanks.

Reply 4

normaw

Volunteer Team, Clearing and Applications Advisor

@Jess_Lomas Can you give any advice on this please? :smile:

Reply 5

Muttley79

Original post by matrixhost

That's the link applied on.
"specific learning difficulty, for example dyslexia or ADHD" - that's what's said on the website.
He has autism, ADHD and Aspergers Syndrome. He scored high on the ratings done while at school.
"Mental health condition A copy of a report or letter from your doctor or consultant - or you can fill in the disability evidence form
Specific learning difficulty such as dyslexia A copy of a ‘diagnostic assessment’ from a practitioner psychologist or suitably qualified specialist teacher"
All have been given. All are from official council run CAMHS (not a private assessment).
The person on the phone said the application would be rejected. But that he would hear back by email or letter in a week or more (they were vague with that answer).
Is there anymore that can be done?
Thanks.

it's nothing to do with SFE ...

Contact your MP?

Reply 6

Jess_Lomas

Normally sending the diagnostic report in will provide enough evidence for support for DSA. So I'm sorry that things are being difficult for you

Have you got a university that they are at or planning on going to if so I would get in contact with their disability team as they can advise you on what the best next steps to take and they might even be able to write a letter to get it sorted out

(edited 1 month ago)

Reply 7

Cotes1

Original post by matrixhost

(Asking for someone else.)
Can someone tell me what help there is for people with ADHD and Autism?
We have a full diagnosis from CAMHS.
We've submitted about 60 pages detailing the diagnosis.
On the phone student finance have said that the application for DLA will be declined.
The application pages specifically say that there is help for mental health issues. The text gives no indication of severity - anyone can claim to have problems I guess. But we have a full diagnosis from CAMHS.
(CAMHS is the health service that helps kids with mental issues.)
At school and college, extra help and assistance was also given.
Looking for advice if there's anything else that can be done.
Thanks.

As above, Student Finance also have nothing to do with DLA or personal independence payment.
Look at benefits too.
Have you claimed PIP?

If not, claim it. You can get PIP as a student.

Plus, as a student in higher education in some limited circumstances you may be able to get universal credit.

Get advice from such as Turn2us, Citizens Advice.

(edited 1 month ago)

Reply 8

YSJstudents

Official Rep

Original post by matrixhost

(Asking for someone else.)
Can someone tell me what help there is for people with ADHD and Autism?
We have a full diagnosis from CAMHS.
We've submitted about 60 pages detailing the diagnosis.
On the phone student finance have said that the application for DLA will be declined.
The application pages specifically say that there is help for mental health issues. The text gives no indication of severity - anyone can claim to have problems I guess. But we have a full diagnosis from CAMHS.
(CAMHS is the health service that helps kids with mental issues.)
At school and college, extra help and assistance was also given.
Looking for advice if there's anything else that can be done.
Thanks.

Hi,

I have ADHD myself and was able to get DSA. I submitted a letter from my doctor which stated my diagnosis. I would of thought your evidence would have been fine. Did they mention, why they declined it?

The university wellbeing and disability teams, can sometimes be helpful when applying for DSA. They are also able to set up Learning Support Plans (LSP's), which are very useful to have in place. You can get things such as extensions or extra time for exams/ assignments through a LSP.

Suzan - Student Ambassador
(MSc Criminology Student)

Reply 9

University of Kent

Official Rep

Original post by matrixhost

(Asking for someone else.)
Can someone tell me what help there is for people with ADHD and Autism?
We have a full diagnosis from CAMHS.
We've submitted about 60 pages detailing the diagnosis.
On the phone student finance have said that the application for DLA will be declined.
The application pages specifically say that there is help for mental health issues. The text gives no indication of severity - anyone can claim to have problems I guess. But we have a full diagnosis from CAMHS.
(CAMHS is the health service that helps kids with mental issues.)
At school and college, extra help and assistance was also given.
Looking for advice if there's anything else that can be done.
Thanks.

Hey there @matrixhost

I am a university student on the Autism spectrum and I believe I can provide some assistance.

I have found difficulty communicating with student finance around this matter. However, because I have documentation that highlights my condition I have provided this to my university and I have been given a number of benefits.

The first benefit is that my attendance is no longer as pivotal because I can find larger rooms overwhelming. This is something I have had since the second term.
I get greater extensions for all assessments and i don’t necessarily have to be in the university for assessments.

Finally, any issues that I run into, I typically can just discuss them with my mentor and get them sorted or amended.

I hope this information helps, just make sure you tell the university about the issues you may be having so that they can sort it as soon as possible.

Take care!

Brandon