A screening is a short, informal conversation where you and the tutor will discuss the challenges you have been facing. This process is not daunting, and you will not be judged or tested. Our sole focus is to support you in your learning and to receive the most effective support you can, to help you fulfil your goals.
If at the screening it is felt that you would benefit from an assessment, the member of staff will discuss next steps with you as well as any potential costs. Please don’t be put off by possible costs, just come and talk to us and we will explain everything you need to know so that you can decide what you want to do next.
If a SpLD/dyslexia is confirmed at your assessment, then you will be eligible to apply for the Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA).
The next step is to make a feedback appointment with a Specialist Tutor. They will talk you through your diagnostic assessment report, answer any questions you may have, and help you apply for DSA.
As part of the process of applying for DSA, you will be asked to attend a Needs Assessment where your Needs Assessor will recommend appropriate support and equipment for you. Quite often a Needs Assessor will recommend you receive Specialist Study Skills Tutorials, which are intended to help students develop the skills they need to overcome their specific challenges. Your Needs Assessor may also suggest some Assistive Technology you might find useful, such as texthelp read&write, ClaroRead, or Grammarly.
What support is available?
If you get DSA and have your tutorials provided by the university, you can book tutorials with a Specialist Study Skills Tutor.
Tutorials are available in hourly sessions, and must be booked in advance by emailing spld.support@norwichuni.ac.uk or calling (01603) 977977. Please do let us know if you are unable to keep an appointment with as much notice as possible.
If I have SpLD am I entitled to extensions to academic deadlines?
No, we do not offer automatic extensions for students with SpLD. We believe tutorial support via the DSA is a more productive and effective way for students to develop the skills to overcome learning challenges and effectively meet deadlines. This does not prevent you for applying for an extension for any other relevant reason.
“Dyslexia Support has been essential for my time at [Norwich University of the Arts]. Specialist dyslexia tutors made my research report manageable and were a constant source of reassurance. I can’t thank/praise them enough!”
(Past Student Feedback)
Additional resources
There is a wealth of information you can access online that is designed to help you with your study skills. Take a look at the Study Skills section of this website. You may also find our page on Assistive Technology useful.
