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. 

A screening can identify whether these difficulties might be associated with ADHD, a Specific Learning Difficulty (SpLD), or Autism. But it cannot provide a formal diagnosis. 

Its purpose is to determine whether you require educational support and enable access to that support while you study at Cambridge.

We strongly recommend starting the process as early as possible, and well-ahead of any exams, assessments and deadlines.

Types of screening

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. 

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

Accessing the service

Step 1

Do you already have a diagnosis? This could be any physical, medical, educational, or psychological/mental health condition or disorder.

 

Have you already been screened by this service and received a positive result?

If Yes: 

Contact your ADRC Disability Adviser to request a screening. (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. (This does not guarantee a screening.)

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. 

 

If you can use the service, you will be sent a screening questionnaire. (This does not guarantee a screening.)

Step 2

Complete and return the screening questionnaire. You will either be offered a screening or directed to alternative support.                                                                                     

Step 3 

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

Receiving a positive screening result

If the screening result is positive, you can access the following standard educational support at Cambridge.

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 above.
  • Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA).
  • ADHD medication.
  • Support provided outside the University, such as in another educational institution or workplace.

Contact the ADRC at disability@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 educational support to be implemented and used.
  8. I have not been diagnosed with ADHD, a Specific Learning Difficulty, or Autism.
  9. I understand that a screening cannot provide a formal diagnosis of ADHD, a Specific Learning Difficulty, or Autism.
  10. I have not been screened by the Neurodiversity Screening Service before.

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

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

A screening is an unsuitable option for those with certain mental health and medical diagnoses. You will be advised about this, if relevant, at the point of enquiry. 

We strongly recommend starting the process as early as possible, and well-ahead of any exams, assessments and deadlines.

Contact us for the current wait time for a screening. 

The average wait time is around six weeks, but this can change with demand. 

Wait times are significantly longer during peak periods (Michaelmas and Lent Terms) and often shorter during Easter Term and the summer holiday.

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 the 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.

The details of your screening questionnaire and the screening 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.

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.