Get More Support

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Get More Support

Subpage 5: GET MORE SUPPORT:

Your University/College have a responsibility to support any students who have a disability that could put them at an academic disadvantage. If you have ADHD or another mental health disorder that affects your studying, you’re entitled to support. The same goes for specific learning difficulties like dyslexia, dyspraxia or dyscalculia, chronic conditions like ME or chronic fatigue, physical disabilities, and long term health problems.

REASONABLE ADJUSTMENTS

1. Adjustments for disabled students | Disability Rights UK find out what reasonable adjustments you are entitled to.

2. Information to give to academic or other staff about supporting students with ADHD can be found on the page entitled ‘Supporting Students with ADHD’.

Finding the words:

It can be very hard to talk about what you’re struggling with and what support would be useful, but no matter how anxious you are, there’s almost always something that can be done if its your disability that has caused the problem.

Key things to remember:

1. It is the responsibility of the people teaching you to know your needs and how to support them.

2. You do not need to apologise for needing support, if its what you need, they need to accommodate it.

3. Being assertive isn’t the same as being rude. Don’t worry that stating what you need makes you ungrateful or unappreciative of support you are already getting, because it doesn’t. Remember that you are paying University fees and not being unreasonable.

4. You don’t usually have to go into detail about your symptoms because

they should know them and
if they don’t, it’s because they haven’t read your support documents, not because you’ve done something wrong.

5. You can also CC in relevant people if this would be helpful.

Example – missed dissertation deadline (courtesy Cambridge University ADHD Support Group):

Dear tutor,

I just wanted to make you aware that due to my disability (ADHD), I was unable to meet my dissertation deadline yesterday. As we have previously discussed, I consistently struggle with [insert core symptoms that apply here, as they are listed on any official support documents you have been given]. It is the [symptom regarding time and deadlines] that is currently an issue. The unpredictable nature of my impairment has meant that I need more time. I am confident it can be submitted but as per the recommended reasonable adjustments for students with ADHD, need some flexibility in managing it due to my health.

I would greatly appreciate if you could please support me in explaining the situation to [necessary members of staff] as I’m already pretty anxious and know that any discussion about it will only exacerbate that. I am happy for you to forward this email if necessary.

I have CC’d in my disability advisor in the case that you require any further information regarding my access needs. I will also link a document with guidance for University/College staff and academics, which further explains the impact of studying with ADHD.

I thank you for your understanding and support thus far.

Kind regards,

(Your name)