University of Hull accelerates neurodiversity support

As part of its commitment to inclusion, the University of Hull wanted to ensure neurodivergent students, with conditions ranging from dyslexia to dyscalculia, could access timely support to reduce barriers to learning.

“We believe in removing barriers to learning and creating an even playing field so that neurodivergent students, who might struggle to process information in some ways, have the same opportunities to learn and succeed at university as everyone else,” explains Julie Lynch, head of disability and inclusion at the University of Hull.

Where neurodivergent conditions were substantially affecting a student’s ability to study, they could apply for Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) to fund support, such as specialist technology and study skills tutoring. However, if they didn’t already have a diagnosis, the waiting list could be several years, by which time they would have finished their degree.

“We didn’t want our neurodivergent students to be at a disadvantage.”

The approach

The university recognised that some neurodivergent students had managed to get through school without a diagnosis but were starting to struggle once they reached university. A dedicated pot of funding was put in place to pay for Specific Learning Difficulty (SpLD) diagnostic assessments, to pick up dyslexia, dyspraxia, dyscalculia and dysgraphia.

“Following an extensive procurement process, we decided to partner with PAM Group because, as well as providing very timely diagnoses, they had a compassionate and personal approach. For every student, this is a one-off experience for them, so we valued having a neurodiversity partner that could help them make sense of their diagnosis and why they might have struggled in the past.”

The solution

Students who suspected they might be neurodivergent were referred for an assessment with a specialist assessor from PAM Group. This consisted of a series of cognitive and learning evaluations to identify any underlying specific learning difficulties.

Following the assessment, a detailed report outlined the student’s cognitive profile and recommended practical adjustments to support their learning. This report could then be used as formal evidence when applying for Disabled Students’ Allowance funding.

“The timely neurodiversity assessments provided by PAM Group ensured we could get students onto a pathway of DSA support, despite long waiting lists. Where we had challenging cases, PAM Group’s director of psychology was able to advise on the best way forward, which made the whole package really good value for money,” says Julie.

“For students from deprived areas, the support has been particularly valuable,” adds Julie. “We have some students who can’t afford laptops, so without the diagnostic assessment helping them to get the DSA funding to pay for assistive technology, such as specialist text-to-speech software, preloaded onto their own laptop, they would have struggled to complete their course.”

“PAM Group is the gold standard for neurodiversity support, providing compassionate advice and support for students so they can achieve better grades and complete their course.”

The result

Beyond improving access to support, the programme has enabled the university to identify neurodivergent students earlier and connect them with the right resources. Early intervention has reduced stress for students who previously struggled to understand why aspects of studying were difficult. It has also helped tutors and support teams better understand how individual students learn best.

Over the past year, the University of Hull has helped 59 students obtain a formal diagnosis for neurodivergent conditions ranging from dyslexia, which can affect written language and working memory, to dyscalculia, affecting numbers and mathematical concepts.

“We now have a reliable way of supporting students to get onto a pathway of support and get their DSA funding in place,” says Julie. “Being able to help students sooner, rather than later, has also helped their grades and mental health. It’s also saved management time and revenue by reducing the number of students who might have otherwise struggled and ended up dropping out of university.”

She concludes: “We’ve never had a student say it’s not made a difference. Individuals who were struggling now have the same opportunity to learn and complete their degree as everyone else. PAM Group is the gold standard for neurodiversity support, providing compassionate advice and support for students so they can achieve better grades and complete their course. We value their responsiveness and the relationships built.”