Screening for specific learning difficulties

AccessAbility can offer screening for students who think they might have specific learning difficulties, e.g. dyslexia.  This is free, and usually takes between 1.5 and 2 hours.
If you think you might be dyslexic, you may want to use this checklist to see whether it is worth investigating further. If you have already been assessed at school then you will not need to be screened again, but should proceed directly to the Educational Psychologist stage. 

There is currently a waiting list for dyslexia screening.  If you would like to access a screening immediately, an online dyslexia screening tool will give you feedback which can be used as the basis for a referral to an Educational Psychologist.  This is available from www.amIdyslexic.com.  Please bring the resulting report with you when you make the Educational Psychologist's appointment.

Educational Psychologist's assessments

If, following a screening, it is recommended that you have an Educational Psychologist's assessment, or you need an update on an out-of-date assessment, the DRC can arrange this for you. There is a cost involved in this, as the Educational Psychologists are an external organisation; however for most UK-based students the Access to Learning Fund can contribute half of the cost of the assessment.

Support for students with specific learning difficulties

Our range of services for students with specific learning difficulties includes:

• assisting with informing academic staff about your requirements
• arranging your examination arrangements, for example extra time
• helping you apply for relevant financial support, for example Disabled Students' Allowance

We will need a copy of your Educational Psychologist's report to be able to put support in place.  In line with the requirements for Disabled Students' Allowance, your report needs to have been produced since your sixteenth birthday.