Neurodiversity Screening Service

The ADRC’s Neurodiversity Screening Service is available to eligible University of Cambridge students who are experiencing significant difficulties with their studies and believe this may be due to undiagnosed neurodiversity. 

A screening can identify whether these difficulties may be associated with ADHD, a Specific Learning Difficulty (SpLD), or Autism. 

The purpose of a screening is to determine whether a student requires educational support and enable access to that support while they study at Cambridge.

A screening does not provide a diagnosis. If you are seeking a diagnosis of ADHD, a SpLD, or Autism, you may wish to pursue a diagnostic assessment with an external specialist. Email adrcscreening@admin.cam.ac.uk for information. 

Types of screening

There are two types of screening available:

  • Screening for ADHD and/or SpLD, including Dyscalculia, Dysgraphia, Dyslexia, and Dyspraxia.
  • Screening for Autism.

The service can offer one screening. If you request both we will recommend which type to have.  

Accessing the service

Step 1: Read the 'Who can use the service' section below.

Step 2: Request a screening.

  • Contact your ADRC Disability Adviser if you have already registered a diagnosis with the ADRC or received a positive screening result from this service. Email adrcscreening@admin.cam.ac.uk for their contact details.
  • Otherwise, contact the Neurodiversity Screening Service at adrcscreening@admin.cam.ac.uk stating the type(s) of screening you are requesting.

Step 3: You will be asked to provide details of your medical history.

Step 4: If the referral is accepted, you will be asked to complete some forms, including a Screening Questionnaire.

Step 5: You will either be offered a screening or directed to alternative support.

Traits of neurodivergence

Further information

You may be able to use this service if you can answer "yes" to all the statements below. 

  1. I am aged 18 or over.
  2. I am a current student, intermitting student, or offer holder at the University of Cambridge.
  3. I have significant difficulties with daily learning or educational functioning and believe this may be due to undiagnosed ADHD, a SpLD, or Autism.
  4. I am seeking a screening to access some or all of the educational support options listed in the 'Receiving a positive screening result' section below.
  5. Sufficient time remains in my course for educational support to be implemented and used by me.
  6. I have not previously received a positive screening result from this service.
  7. I understand that a screening cannot provide a diagnosis of ADHD, a SpLD, or Autism.
  8. I am not already diagnosed with ADHD, a SpLD, or Autism.
  9. I have not arranged to have a diagnostic assessment for ADHD, a SpLD, or Autism within the next two months.

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Screenings are not suitable for students with certain mental health or medical conditions. You will be asked about your medical history at the point of enquiry. 

The service may not be available to students approaching the end of their course.

We strongly recommend starting the process as early as possible, and well in advance of any exams, assessments, or deadlines.

Contact us for the current wait time for a screening. 

The average wait time is around six weeks, but it changes with demand. 

Wait times are generally longer during Michaelmas and Lent Terms and often shorter during Easter Term and the summer holiday.

The screening process involves several steps; please allow time for the following:

  • Referral to be processed by the service.
  • Student to complete forms.
  • Forms to be reviewed by the service.
  • Wait for a screening appointment (if offered).
  • Screening takes place.
  • Report and Student Support Document (SSD) to be prepared.
  • Student to review SSD.
  • SSD to be circulated to College and University staff.

The service is open year-round, except on bank holidays and over Christmas and New Year. 

The following appointment schedules are provisional and may change. 

ADHD and SpLD screenings:

  • Mondays: 08:30, 09:00, 10:00, 11:00, 11:30, and 14:00.
  • Tuesdays: 08:30, 09:00, 10:00, 11:00, and 14:00.
  • Wednesdays: 11:00, 14:00, and 16:00.
  • Fridays: 08:30 and 10:00.

ADHD and SpLD screenings are held online by video call. Depending on demand, a limited number of in-person appointments may also be offered in Michaelmas and Lent Terms.

Autism screenings:

  • Mondays: 10:30 am.
  • Tuesdays: 10:30 am.
  • Wednesdays: 11:00 am and 14:30 pm.
  • Fridays: 10:30 am.

Autism screenings: are held online by video call on Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays, and held in person on Wednesdays. _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Online screenings are held by video call on MS Teams, or on Zoom if you do not have a Teams account. 

In-person screenings are held at the Accessibility & Disability Resource Centre (ADHD), which is located in the Student Services Centre in central Cambridge.

Screenings are free of charge.

If your referral is accepted, you will be asked to complete a Screening Questionnaire comprising multiple-choice and free-text questions about the following topics.

  • Personal information, including contact and course details.
  • Background and reasons for accessing the service.
  • Health and medical history.
  • Education.
  • Speech and language development.

It also contains questions tailored to the neurodivergent condition you have requested a screening for.

The time needed to complete the questionnaire varies. For some students it takes around an hour, but this depends on how much detail you choose to provide. 

Screenings last approximately 1.5 hours. 

ADHD and SpLD screenings: the screening is designed to identify any indicators of a learning difference. The Screening Adviser will ask you some questions, including about your learning history, and you will complete a series of tests to evaluate your cognitive and learning abilities. You may also be asked to share samples of your handwriting. You will receive the result and discuss the next steps before you leave.

Autism screenings: the screening is designed to identify any indicators of Autism. The Screening Adviser will ask you some questions, including about your development, your communication, your relationships, and any challenges you are experiencing. You will receive the result and discuss the next steps before you leave. A second appointment may occasionally be required.

If the screening identifies traits that may be indicative of ADHD, a SpLD, or Autism, you will receive a positive result.

Within three working days of the appointment, you will receive a report outlining the findings from the screening and a Student Support Document (SSD) with our recommendations for your support.

You will be able to access the following educational support options at Cambridge.

With your permission, the ADRC will upload your SSD to CamSIS and share it with relevant College and University staff on a need-to-know basis, so your support can be implemented. 

You do not have to accept the SSD or have it shared with College and University staff, but limiting disclosure may limit the support that can be put in place. 

A positive screening result does not constitute a diagnosis. If you are seeking a diagnosis of ADHD, a SpLD, or Autism, you may wish to pursue a diagnostic assessment with an external specialist. Email adrcscreening@admin.cam.ac.uk for information. 

If the screening does not identify traits that may be indicative of ADHD, a SpLD, or Autism, you will receive a negative or an inconclusive result.  

Within three working days of the appointment, you will receive a report outlining the findings from the screening.

A negative or inconclusive result will not give you access to educational support at Cambridge. You may be signposted to other support according to your individual circumstances.

A negative or inconclusive result does not rule out the possibility of ADHD, a SpLD, or Autism. If you would like to investigate this further, you may wish to pursue a diagnostic assessment with an external specialist. Email adrcscreening@admin.cam.ac.uk for information. 

If your screening result is positive and you would like to access exam access arrangements (EAAs), please contact your College Tutorial Office for information and to apply. 

The ADRC has received the following guidance from the Examination Access and Mitigation Committee (EAMC) about the deadline for applications. 

  • The process for implementing EAAs usually requires a minimum of two weeks prior to the start of the student’s examinations.
  • If the student’s screening has taken place two weeks or less before the first exam, it may not be possible to apply adjustments for that exam period.

We strongly recommend starting the screening process as early as possible, and well in advance of any exams, assessments, or deadlines.

The scope of a screening is limited. You may wish to pursue a diagnostic assessment if you are seeking any of the following.

  • A diagnosis of ADHD, a SpLD, or Autism.
  • Support at Cambridge that exceeds the options listed under the 'Receiving a positive screening result' section above.
  • Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA).
  • ADHD medication.
  • Support provided outside the University, such as in another educational establishment or workplace.

Diagnostic assessments are conducted by external specialists. Email adrcscreening@admin.cam.ac.uk for information.

Your information will be shared with relevant ADRC staff on a need-to-know basis.

With your permission, the ADRC will also share information with relevant College and University staff on a need-to-know basis, so your support can be implemented. Limiting disclosure may limit the support that can be put in place. 

Without your permission, we will not share information outside of the ADRC – including with your parent/guardian, Director of Studies, tutors, or supervisors.

In certain exceptional circumstances - such as where we believe is an immediate and serious threat to your personal safety or to the safety of others - we may be required to disclose information outside of the ADRC without your consent.

If you are concerned about the implications of having a positive screening – for example, in relation to fitness to practise for pre-clinical and clinical medical students – please speak with your Director of Studies or College Tutor.

Accessing the service will not affect your student status or funding. 

See our privacy policy for further information.

Contact the Neurodiversity Screening Service at adrcscreening@admin.cam.ac.uk with any questions.