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Why have a formal assessment?

A formal assessment from a qualified assessor may help you understand if you have a specific learning difference. This can give you an improved understanding of how you learn to help you to develop your study strategies.
 
The assessor will create a report that could help you apply for the Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) if you are from the UK, which can fund specialist software and support for your studies. The report may also identify the need to give you reasonable adjustments in exams.

The University of Nottingham does not have an in-house assessment service, but Disability Support Services can offer guidance on screening services.

Autism

The University of Nottingham Health Service offers initial pre-screening appointments with their Mental Health Nurse Practitioner in dedicated weekly appointment slots bookable via the Practice Reception Team.

Pre-screening appointments for Autism can be made through contacting the University of Nottingham Health Service reception on 0115 822 7979 or by speaking to the reception team in-person.

Where there are possible clinical indications of Autism, a referral is made to a specialist Autism service, which will be discussed in the pre-screening appointment. After a referral has been made, the specialist Autism service will contact you directly to let you know if the referral has been accepted. This is an NHS service, and access to it is based on the Cripps Health Centre catchment area.

You can only be referred for an NHS Autism assessment as an adult through GP or NHS secondary mental health services if already open to you. If you live outside of the catchment area for the University of Nottingham Health Service, please check the following sources for guidance:

NHS how to get diagnosed

autism.org.uk advice and guidance

As Autism is a specialist area of clinical care, the above process must always be followed as there is detailed specific information required from the patient before the appointment takes place. If a routine GP appointment to discuss Autism assessment is booked the above process will still always be needed.

An NHS assessment is free of charge, but it is currently taking 38 months for an NHS Autism assessment to take place.  Please email Disability Support Services if you have started this process.

If you already have a diagnosis of Autism
If you already have a diagnosis of Autism and wish to look at local post-diagnostic support services, please either ask reception to book an appointment with the Social Prescribing Link Support Worker, or you can book an appointment with the Social Prescribing Link Support Worker via the NHS App.
 

 

ADHD

If you are a student registered at the University of Nottingham and wish to be screened for ADHD we suggest you first use our free online screening tool, the Do-It-Profiler.

For feedback on your Do-It Profiler results our Specialist Study Support Tutors offer webinars.

If you wish to be assessed for ADHD, you can request either a clinical assessment or an educational assessment.  

Educational assessment

An educational assessment can usually be undertaken much more quickly than a clinical assessment, but it cannot be used to prescribe medication for the treatment of ADHD. Educational assessments can be carried out by Dyslexia Association assessors or psychologists qualified in ADHD identification as well as some Specialist Teachers. If you are having difficulty finding a suitable assessor, please let us know.

An educational ADHD assessment report can be used as a basis for a Support Plan and to apply for Disabled Students Allowance (DSA). Read more about DSA

Apprentices and non home fee status students should contact us direct by emailing Disability Support Services.

 
Clinical assessment

A clinical assessment for ADHD will allow you to be prescribed medicine if you are diagnosed with ADHD. You can find a clinical assessment centre yourself or you can request an NHS assessment from your GP practice.

If you are registered at the University of Nottingham Health Service and are considering a clinical assessment for ADHD, please follow the guidance for Seeking a Neurodiversity Assessment.  The application pack is available for download from the page. 

The pack must be completed and returned to the practice to assess whether a referral can be made. ADHD is a specialist area of clinical care and this process must always be followed to provide the specific information required. Only on the basis of information received can it be determined whether you meet the referral criteria to see an ADHD specialist for a medical diagnosis of ADHD.

If a routine GP appointment to discuss possible ADHD is booked at the University of Nottingham Health Service, the above process will still always be needed.

Where there are possible clinical indications of ADHD, a referral is made to the ADHD service by the clinician. After a referral has been made, the ADHD service will contact you directly to let you know if the referral has been accepted.

Please note the following:

  • Right to choose referrals are possible and although these must be made in a GP’s name (as per national guidance) you do not need to speak to a GP at the University of Nottingham Health Service.
  • The practice pack is not able to identify if an educational diagnosis of ADHD is likely as this is looking at clinical symptoms of ADHD.
  • If you are not a student at University of Nottingham Health Service, please speak to your own GP practice as they may not have an ADHD pack and may require you to book a GP appointment.

An NHS assessment is free of charge, but it is currently taking 38 months for an NHS ADHD assessment to take place.

Please email Disability Support Services if you have started this process.

 

Watch this short video which explains how to get assessed for ADHD. Select the double arrow icon to pop out view to full screen.

The links mentioned in the video are:

Other specific learning differences such as dyslexia and dyspraxia

If you are a student registered at the University of Nottingham and think you may be dyslexic, have dyspraxia, or another specific learning difference, you can use our free online screening tool, the Do-It-Profiler. The Do-It-Profiler is not an exam - you cannot pass or fail it. 

On completion of a series of questions and tasks, the Do-It-Profiler gives you a personalised report. Although it does not identify specific learning differences, and so cannot be used as a basis for a Support Plan, the tool gives you information and resources, along with guidance to help you decide if you want a formal assessment. 

Requesting access to the Do-It-Profiler

The Do-It Profiler is a resource in Studentlife. Request access to the Do-It-Profiler.

Feedback on your Do-It Profiler results

Guidance documents to help you interpret the results:

For feedback on your Do-It Profiler results we offer webinars. 

 
How much does a formal assessment cost?

A formal assessment for SpLD (e.g. Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, ADHD) typically costs between £350 and £550.

You will need to pay this, but you can complete the Help with Diagnostic Assessment Support Fund Form to see if you qualify for a contribution towards the cost of the assessment from the University.

 
Is there a step-by-step guide to arranging a formal assessment?

A step by step guide to arranging a formal diagnostic assessment (including examples of assessment providers and how to apply for means-tested help with assessment costs too, where applicable). 

 
How do I find an assessor?

Educational psychologists and specialist teachers who hold an Assessment Practising Certificate (APC) can carry out formal assessments for specific learning differences. You will need to find the assessor yourself, even if you qualify for financial assistance.

Please check that the assessor is experienced in identifying the specific learning difference you are investigating and that their report can be used to apply for the Disabled Students’ Allowance if you are from the UK. 

If you want to be assessed for dyslexia, dyspraxia or dyscalculia, you can use the British Psychological Society’s website to find an educational psychologist.

Should you choose to use another assessor, they should have an Assessment Practising Certificate (APC) from any of the following: 

 
 
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