Support for Dyslexia and Neurodiversity

The HE Disability service provides support for students with a range of Neurodiverse conditions which include Specific Learning Difficulties.

The term “Neurodiverse” means that learning differences can sometimes overlap or share similar characteristics and, that these are part of normal variation in the population. We appreciate that no one person is the same, whether or not we have a specific learning difference, we each have our own individual learning styles and preferences.

Specific learning difficulties (SpLD) is an overarching term for several associated learning differences. They affect the way information is learned and processed, and can affect literacy, memory, coordination, and the manipulation of letters and numbers. These differences can appear across all ranges of abilities and with varying degrees of severity or significance.

This includes but not exhaustive to:

• Dyslexia
• Dyscalculia and maths difficulties
• Dyspraxia
• Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
• Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

Exam Arrangements and Marking

We can provide you with extra time when sitting your exams. The standard exam arrangements for students with SpLD is 25% extra time. Depending on your individual circumstances and the evidence you provide, you may be eligible for access to a PC, stop the clock rest breaks, reader and scribe support. We can arrange exam papers in different formats.

Students with a formally diagnosed Specific Learning Difficulty (SpLD) are encouraged to attach a guidance coversheet for marking the work of students with a Specific Learning Difficulty (SpLD) supplied by the HE Disability team.

This guidance cover sheet can be used for coursework and examinations. It is intended to prompt the marker that the student has a Specific Learning Difficulty (SpLD) and that guidelines for the marking of their work should be used.

DSA Funded Human Support

One-to-one Specialist Study Skills Tutor sessions for Specific Learning Difficulties

Specialist One to One Study Skills Support sessions are individual, personalised support sessions for students with dyslexia, dyspraxia or other SpLDs. The sessions are with specialist tutors who are qualified to support students with specific learning differences.

• managing your studies and meeting deadlines
• research skills
• effective reading strategies
• notetaking skills
• improving your memory
• mind-mapping
• planning and structuring your assignments
• academic writing skills
• how to proofread your own work
• presentations.

One-to-one Specialist Mentoring for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

Specialist mentors provide highly specialist, specifically tailored, one-to-one support which helps students address the barriers to learning created by a particular impairment. This support is primarily provided for students with mental-health conditions or autism spectrum disorders. The support could address a range of issues, for example:

• coping with anxiety and stressful situations
• how to deal with concentration difficulties
• time management
• goal setting
• timetabling
• prioritising workload
• creating a suitable work-life balance.

Other sources of support

Student Counselling and Wellbeing

We have an in-house BACP accredited counsellor who provides a student counselling service. They are part of a bigger Wellbeing team which consists of Wellbeing Advisers and a Mental Health Adviser. More information is available on our Counselling & Welfare Support page.

Student Success

The Student success team provide a wide offer of services and resources to empower your personal and academic development and help you reach the goals that mean the most to you.

Further Resources

British Dyslexia Association: www.bdadyslexia.org.uk
What is SpLD? www.dyslexia.uk.net/specific-learning-difficulties