Diagnostic assessment

Diagnostic assessment for SpLD.

If you think that you have an Specific Learning Difficulty (SpLD) an assessment may be appropriate. Assessments may be face to face or remote, using video-conferencing technology.

A diagnostic assessment will:

  • find out if you have an SpLD eg dyslexia, dyspraxia, dyscalculia or a SpLD with attention difficulties
  • identify reasonable adjustments that could be made to your course, for example extra time in exams
  • help you access appropriate support, for example one-to-one specialist study skills tuition and/or assistive technology.

If you are experiencing significant mental health concerns, we recommend that you contact your GP and find out more about UWE Bristol's health and wellbeing support and disability support. If you have a diagnosis you can apply for specialist study support and adjustments from Disabled Students Allowances (DSAs).

If your GP has already diagnosed a mental health condition and you are interested in being assessed specifically for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), we recommend you discuss having a medical ADHD assessment through the NHS. There is also further information about ADHD UK guidance on Diagnosis pathways for Adult ADHD.

UWE Bristol provides educational assessments for dyslexia, dyspraxia, dyscalculia and Specific Learning Differences with attention difficulties.

What you need to do

  1. Step 1

    Please contact the admin team.

    • If you're a UWE Bristol student there will be a substantial reduction of the full cost.
    • If you cannot meet the cost of your contribution you can apply for help through the UWE Bristol Student Hardship Grant.

    You will pay for your assessment before you are assessed, so this cost will not change whether or not there is an SpLD outcome.

  2. Step 2

    Please contact the Access and Learning Strategies team. 

  3. Step 3

    Gather the things you need to bring to your assessment:

    • Any documents relating to previous support and/or diagnosis
    • Prescription glasses, if you wear them for reading
    • A pen that you're comfortable using
    • Any other aids you use for reading (excluding computer-based programmes)

     

  4. Step 4

    • The admin team will contact you to explain the next steps and make sure you are accessing all the support you can, this may include information about:
    • The admin team will also email you with next steps information.
    • Your assessor will email your diagnostic report to you within ten working days of the assessment.
    • For UWE Bristol students, the admin team will process a copy of your report and pass this to Disability Service to make sure any reasonable adjustments are put in place.

     

Support for other conditions

I need support for something else

If you have another disability/condition that you want support for you can:

Additional information

What is a Specific Learning Difficulties (SpLD) Diagnostic Assessment?

A specialist assessor or psychologist uses a range of tests and an in-depth interview to deliver a full diagnostic assessment. A diagnosis of SpLD eg dyslexia, dyspraxia, dyscalculia or SpLD with characteristics of attention difficulties may be made.

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Support for impairments

Find out about the support that is available at UWE Bristol to students with any impairment.

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Assistive technology

Information on the assistive technologies that UWE Bristol provides for disabled students.

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Diagnostic assessment

Information on diagnostic assessments for Specific Learning Difficulty (SpLDs).

Student using a laptop in the library

Specialist study skills support

Details of the specialist study support available to students with specific learning difficulties (SpLDs).