Neurodiversity Screening Service

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

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. 

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

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

A screening cannot provide a formal diagnosis. You will need to undertake a formal diagnostic assessment elsewhere if you are seeking a diagnosis. 

Types of screening

We will offer one screening to students who can use the service. Two types of screening are available, and you can request either or both: 

  • Screening for ADHD and/or Specific Learning Difficulties (Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, Dysgraphia, and Dyscalculia).
  • Screening for Autism. 

If you are offered a screening having requested both, we will recommend which type to have, based on the information you provide in your screening questionnaire. 

Accessing the service

Step 1
Read the 'Who can use the service' section below to check you can make a referral.

Step 2
Q1. Have you already registered a diagnosis with the ADRC? (This could be any physical, medical, educational, or psychological/mental health condition or disorder.)
Q2. Have you already been screened by this service and received a positive result?
 

  • If yes to either question, contact your ADRC Disability Adviser to request a screening, confirming if you would like to be screened for ADHD, SpLD and/or Autism. Your adviser will review your current support and refer you for a screening if they think it could give you access to additional support. This does not guarantee a screening. Email adrcscreening@admin.cam.ac.uk if you need your adviser's contact details.
  • If no to both questions, contact the Neurodiversity Screening Service at adrcscreening@admin.cam.ac.uk to request a screening, confirming if you would like to be screened for ADHD, SpLD and/or Autism. 

Step 3
We will ask you some questions, including about your medical history. 

Step 4
If the referral is accepted, you will be sent some forms to complete and return (screening questionnaire, confidentiality agreement, and online screening agreement). This does not guarantee a screening.

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

Step 6
Screening takes place (if offered). You will receive the result at the appointment.

Receiving a positive screening result

If the screening identifies traits that could be associated with a learning difference, you will receive a positive result. 

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

A positive screening result is not a formal diagnosis. You will need to undertake a formal diagnostic assessment elsewhere if you are seeking a diagnosis of ADHD, a Specific Learning Difficulty, or Autism.

Receiving a negative or inconclusive screening result

If the screening does not identify traits that could be associated with a learning difference, you will receive a negative result. 

If the findings are not positive or negative, you will receive an inconclusive result.   

In either case, you will be signposted to other relevant support according to your individual circumstances.

A negative or inconclusive result will not give you access to educational support at Cambridge. 

A negative or inconclusive result does not mean you do not have a learning difference. You might choose to undertake a formal diagnostic assessment elsewhere if you wish to explore this further.

Deadline for applying for exam access arrangements

If you receive a positive screening result and would like to access standard Exam Access Arrangements (EAAs), you should contact your College Tutorial Office to make an application. 

The ADRC has received the following guidance from the Board of Examinations about the deadline for applications for EAAs. 

  • The process for implementing EAAs 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 will not be possible to apply adjustments for that exam period.
  • The student will, however, be eligible to apply for exam access arrangements for future exam periods.

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

We also recommend you inform your College Tutorial Office if you are seeking a screening for the purpose of applying for EAAs. Tutorial staff can advise you on application requirements and deadlines and answer your questions about EAAs.

Formal diagnostic assessment

The scope of a screening is limited. You will need to undertake a formal diagnostic assessment elsewhere if you are seeking any of the following.

  • A formal diagnosis of ADHD, a Specific Learning Difficulty, or Autism.
  • Support at Cambridge that exceeds the standard provision 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 institution or workplace.

Email adrcscreening@admin.cam.ac.uk for information about getting a diagnostic assessment. 

Read about the characteristics of each learning difference

Further information

You should be able to use the Neurodiversity Screening 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 am not matriculated to Lucy Cavendish College.
  4. I have significant difficulties with daily learning or educational functioning.
  5. I think these difficulties are the result of undiagnosed ADHD, a Specific Learning Difficulty, or Autism.
  6. I am seeking standard educational support at Cambridge for the duration or remainder of my course.
  7. Sufficient time remains in my course for any standard educational support to be implemented and used by me.
  8. I have not been diagnosed with ADHD, a Specific Learning Difficulty, or Autism.
  9. I do not have a formal diagnostic assessment for ADHD, a Specific Learning Difficulty, or Autism scheduled within the next two months.
  10. I understand that a screening cannot provide a formal diagnosis of ADHD, a Specific Learning Difficulty, or Autism.
  11. I have not been screened by the Neurodiversity Screening Service before.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Contact us if you are unsure whether you can use the service. 

Screenings are not suitable for students with certain mental health and 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.

Lucy Cavendish students should use the College's inhouse screening service, which can be contacted via spld@lucy.cam.ac.uk. 

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 for a screening is around six weeks, but it changes with demand. 

Wait times are significantly longer (potentially ten weeks or more) during Michaelmas and Lent Terms and often shorter during Easter Term and the summer holiday.

The screening process involves several steps. In addition to the wait for a screening, please allow time for the following:

  • Referral processed by Screening Service (approx. two weeks)
  • Student completes forms (screening questionnaire, confidentiality agreement, screening agreement)
  • Forms reviewed by Screening Service (approx. two weeks)
  • Wait for a screening appointment
  • Screening takes place
  • Report and Student Support Document (SSD) prepared (up to two weeks)
  • Student reviews SSD (up to 14 days)
  • SSD circulated to College and University staff (approx. two weeks, longer at peak times)

The screening questionnaire comprises compulsory 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 learning difference 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 can take around 1.5 hours. 

ADHD and SpLD screenings: the purpose of a screening is 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 will receive the result and discuss the next steps before you leave.

Autism screenings: the purpose of a screening is to identify any indicators of Autism. The Screening Adviser will ask you a series of 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 might be necessary to complete the process, though this is rare.

You will receive a report outlining our findings. 

If the result is positive, you will also receive a Student Support Document (SSD) outlining our recommendations for your support.

In ADHD and SpLD screenings, you should receive the report and SSD within one working day of the screening. In Autism screenings, you should receive these documents within two weeks of the screening. 

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 will limit the support that can be put in place. 

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

The following appointment schedules are provisional and may change. 

Typical weekly schedule for ADHD and SpLD screenings:

  • Mondays: 09:00, 11:00, 13:30, 14:00 and 15:00 (all online).
  • Tuesdays: 09:00, 11:00, 13:30, 14:00 and 15:00 (all online).
  • Wednesdays: 09:00, 11:00 and 14:00 (all online).

Typical weekly schedule for Autism screenings:

  • Mondays: 10:30 am (online).
  • Tuesdays: 10:30 am (online).
  • Wednesdays: 11:00 am (in-person) and 14:30 pm (in-person).
  • Fridays: 10:30 am (online).

Screenings for ADHD and SpLD are held online. A limited number of in-person appointments are also offered in Michaelmas and Lent Terms.

Screenings for Autism are held online and in person.

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

In-person screenings are held at the Student Services Centre in central Cambridge.

Screenings are free of charge.

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

We will not share any information with anyone outside of the ADRC – including your parents/guardians, Director of Studies, tutors, or supervisors – without your permission.

In certain exceptional circumstances (such as where there is an immediate and serious threat to your personal safety or to the safety of others), we may disclose your information without your consent.

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

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.