Neurodiversity Screening Service

The ADRC’s Neurodiversity Screening Service is available to University of Cambridge students who are experiencing significant difficulties with their studies and believe this could be due to undiagnosed neurodiversity such as ADHD, Autism, or a Specific Learning Difficulty (SpLD) such as Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, Dysgraphia or Dyscalculia.

The service is free and can provide tailored strategies and resources to help with your studies.

The service does not provide a formal diagnosis.

Screening waiting times typically range from 4 to 6 weeks but may vary throughout the year.

Types of screening

There are two types of screening available: 

  • Screening for ADHD and/or SpLDs. 
  • Screening for Autism. 

We can offer students one screening. If you request both types and you are offered a screening, we will recommend which type to have based on the information you provide about your learning experiences.

Accessing the service

Step 1

Do you already have a diagnosis of a disability, ADHD, Autism, SpLD, or mental health condition?

Have you received a positive screening outcome using this service previously?

If Yes: 

Contact your Disability Adviser for an appointment. (Email adrcscreening@admin.cam.ac.uk for their contact details.) 

If a screening could provide additional support, your Disability Adviser will refer you to the service and you will be sent a Screening Questionnaire. 

If No:

Email the Screening Service at adrcscreening@admin.cam.ac.uk to request a screening. 

In your email, let us know if you would like a screening for ADHD, SpLD and/or Autism. 

You will be sent a Screening Questionnaire.                                                                                                                                

Step 2

Complete and return the Screening Questionnaire. You will either be offered a screening or signposted to alternative support.                                                                                     

Step 3 

Screening takes place (if you are offered one). You will receive the result at the appointment. 

Receiving a positive screening result

If your screening result is positive, you will have access to standard educational support at the University of Cambridge including:

  • A student support document (SSD) with recommendations for course-based adjustments and exam access arrangements.
  • Exam access arrangements
    • extra time 
    • rest breaks 
    • using a computer to type.
  • Human support:
    • One-to-one study skills support to help you study more efficiently and learn more effectively
    • One-to-one mentoring to help you navigate challenges and enhance your learning experience. 

You will need to get a formal diagnostic assessment elsewhere if you are seeking any of the following: 

  • A diagnosis 
  • Non-standard support at the University of Cambridge 
  • Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) 
  • ADHD medication 
  • Support outside the University of Cambridge.

Further Information

If you can't find the information you seek in the sections below, please email adrcscreening@admin.cam.ac.uk

You can use the Screening Service if:

  • you're having significant difficulties with daily learning or educational functioning
  • you think these difficulties are as a result of undiagnosed Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, Dysgraphia, ADHD or Autism

and

  • you do not already have a diagnosis of Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, Dysgraphia, ADHD or Autism
  • you have not already told the Accessibility and Disability Resource Centre (ADRC) about a disability or a mental health condition

The Screening Questionnaire takes approximately one hour to complete. 

You can save your progress and return to it later.

The Screening Questionnaire comprises compulsory multiple-choice and free-text questions and will ask about your:

  • personal information, including contact and course details
  • background and reasons for accessing the service
  • health and medical history
  • education
  • speech and language development
  • and will cover the diagnostic criteria specific to the relevant condition you have requested a screening for.

A Screening can take up to 1.5 hours for SpLD or ADHD and up to 3 hours for Autism.

The details of your Screening Questionnaire and the Screening will only be shared with relevant staff in the ADRC.

Accessing the service will not affect your funding or student status. We will not share your information with anyone outside of the ADRC – including your parents/guardians, Senior Tutors, or Director of Studies – without your permission.

Talk to your DoS or College Tutor if you have concerns about the implications of having a Screening for your course.

See our privacy policy for further details.

For information on how to get a formal diagnostic assessment for an SpLD, ADHD or Autism, please email disability@admin.cam.ac.uk

If the Screening indicates that you have an undiagnosed neurodiversity, we will write a Student Support Document (SSD) for you. The SSD recommends support for your studies, relevant to your course.

With your consent, we will upload your Student Support Document to CamSIS and circulate it to the relevant staff. You do not have to accept the SSD or share any information about the Screening with your department or college, but limiting disclosure may limit the support that can be put in place. 

Read about the characteristics of each learning difference