Essential organisations, funding, tools, and information for neurodivergent learners and their families. Everything in one place.
The Disabled Students Allowance is a UK government grant for students in higher education who have a disability, long-term health condition, mental health condition, or specific learning difficulty such as dyslexia or ADHD. It helps pay for the extra costs you have because of your condition.
What it covers: Specialist equipment (laptops, software), non-medical helpers (note-takers, study skills tutors), extra travel costs, and other study-related expenses.
Key facts: You do not have to pay it back. It does not depend on your household income. It does not affect your other student finance. You can apply at any point during your course.
An Education, Health and Care Plan is a legal document for children and young people aged 0 to 25 in England. It describes a child's special educational needs, the support they require, and the outcomes they want to achieve. An EHCP is legally binding, which means the local authority must provide the support it describes.
Who qualifies: Children and young people who need more support than a school can normally provide. This includes learners with dyslexia, ADHD, autism, physical disabilities, speech and language difficulties, and other conditions.
How to request one: Parents, young people over 16, or schools can ask the local authority for an EHC needs assessment. The local authority has 6 weeks to decide whether to assess, and 20 weeks to issue a plan if the assessment is agreed.
The leading charity for dyslexia in the UK. They provide information, support, and guidance for individuals, families, and educators. They also run a helpline, offer workplace assessments, and campaign for dyslexia-friendly practices across education and employment.
A charity dedicated to supporting people with ADHD across the UK. They provide information about diagnosis, treatment, and living with ADHD. They also offer peer support groups, webinars, and a directory of ADHD-friendly services.
The UK's largest charity for autistic people. They provide expert information and advice, run schools and services, and campaign for a better world for autistic people. Their website includes guides for education, employment, diagnosis, and daily life.
A national charity that provides assessment, teaching, and training for people with dyslexia and literacy difficulties. They offer online and in-person assessments for children and adults, as well as specialist teacher training programmes.
The Professional Association of Teachers of Students with Specific Learning Difficulties. They maintain a register of qualified specialist assessors who can carry out diagnostic assessments for dyslexia, dyscalculia, and other specific learning difficulties. Use their website to find an assessor near you.
A text-to-speech app that reads any text aloud in natural-sounding voices. Point your phone camera at a textbook, paste in a document, or use the browser extension. Adjustable speed means you can listen at your own pace. Particularly helpful for dyslexic learners who find reading tiring.
A literacy toolbar that works across websites, documents, and PDFs. Features include text-to-speech, word prediction, a picture dictionary, screen masking, and a colour overlay. Often provided free to students through DSA or university licences.
A writing assistant that checks spelling, grammar, and punctuation in real time. Particularly useful for dyslexic writers who may swap letters, miss words, or struggle with punctuation. The free version covers basics, and the premium version offers style and tone suggestions.
A focus app that gamifies staying off your phone. You plant a virtual tree, and it grows while you study. If you leave the app to check social media, the tree dies. Over time, you grow a forest. Simple, visual, and surprisingly effective for ADHD brains that need external motivation.
An all-in-one workspace for notes, tasks, databases, and calendars. Create a revision dashboard with toggle blocks that hide and reveal content. Colour-code subjects, embed videos, and search your notes instantly. Flexible enough to adapt to any note-taking system.
Access arrangements are adjustments made to exams to ensure that students with disabilities or special educational needs can demonstrate their knowledge fairly. They are not an advantage. They level the playing field.
Common arrangements include:
Knowing what support exists is the first step. If you found this page helpful, share it with someone who might need it.