Specific Learning Differences (SpLDs)
Find out how the Disability and Dyslexia Service can offer support, advise and guidance throughout the year.
Approximately 10% of students at the University have shared that they have dyslexia or another specific learning difference.
What are SpLDs?
Specific Learning Differences (SpLDs) is an umbrella term that include dyslexia, dyspraxia/Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD), dyscalculia, dysgraphia and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Help with SpLDs
Some students may have struggled throughout their compulsory education and may have never been screened for a SpLD. These difficulties can become more noticeable when you start your university course. If you think you have a SpLD or experience difficulties that are associated with a SpLD please consider the following actions:
Firstly, you will need to share a copy your evidence (see FAQs link) with us – link to ‘sharing your needs’ page. The advisor will review the suitability of your evidence and advise you if your evidence is acceptable or whether a new assessment is required.
If you do not have any evidence and/pr you suspect a SpLD, please make an appointment with an advisor to discuss your suspicions through an initial screening, which is free of charge. This is NOT an assessment but an hour-long appointment where you can discuss your needs in confidence. At the end the advisor will outline your options and next steps towards getting a full diagnostic assessment, if that is deemed appropriate.
Once you are registered as a student, the Disability and Dyslexia Service can arrange an assessment with an educational psychologist. As at March 2025, our recommended EP Practice charge £350 for a full on-line assessment. If you are a registered student in financial difficulty, you may be eligible for a grant from the University Support Fund to assist with the cost. This will be discussed before any appointment with an EP is made. The assessment report will help us to understand your needs regarding support on your course, and it will advise us on adjustments you might require for exams. This report can also be used as evidence for an application for the Disabled Students’ Allowances (link to new page).
If you have a clear diagnosis of dyslexia or similar difficulties, then you may be entitled to liner marking through our dyslexia marking policy and dyslexia stickers. Dyslexia stickers are automatically attached to your coursework when you upload your coursework online. They tell the marker that you are dyslexic, so the marker can make allowances for spelling, grammar and punctuation errors where they do not interfere with the meaning. Some courses such as teaching qualifications, education courses, social work and some language modules in English are exempt from this policy.
If you had used a coloured overlay at school or your evidence suggests visual stress, informal coloured overlay tests available with an adviser, by appointment
If you had used a coloured overlay at school or your evidence suggests visual stress, informal coloured overlay tests available with an adviser, by appointment.
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Contact Us
The Disability and Dyslexia Service is here to support and advise students with a range of disabilities. To discuss your application or needs please get in touch with our Disability and Dyslexia Team on disabilitydyslexia@chi.ac.uk or phone 01243 812076.
FAQs
You should book an appointment with a Dyslexia Advisor for an initial screening. This takes about an hour. The Advisor will then decide whether you need a full diagnostic assessment with an educational psychologist.
The Disability and Dyslexia Service will ask you to provide a copy of any assessment reports for dyslexia such as an Educational Psychologist report or a diagnostic assessment carried out by a specialist assessor. We would expect a report to include an assessment of your cognitive skills and must meet the following criteria:
- Contain a clear diagnosis of a specific learning difficulty, such as dyslexia.
- Be complete by an educational psychologist, chartered psychologist, specialist teacher assessor holding a current Assessment Practising Certificate or other appropriate professional.
At the University of Chichester, we also accept Exam Access Arrangements or JCQ Form 8s/9s for university adjustments only.
Regarding evidence for dyspraxia and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), you will need to provide evidence from an appropriately qualified professional. A full diagnostic assessment carried out in line with the above criteria for SpLDs is helpful, however we recognise that ADHD or dyspraxia may be considered a medical diagnosis and therefore a letter from a suitably qualified medical professional may be acceptable if they are able to confirm the diagnosis.
For dyspraxia, a report from an occupational or speech therapist may be acceptable. For ADHD, a report from a psychiatrist may be acceptable. If these reports are not available, then we may be able to accept a letter from a GP confirming that records regarding the original diagnosis are held in your medical records.
If you have lost your evidence, please make an appointment with an advisor to discuss your options. The advisor can arrange a new assessment with an Educational Psychologist. There is a cost attached to this.
It does not matter how old you were when the diagnostic assessment for a SpLD was carried out. We would expect a report to include an assessment of your cognitive skills and must meet the following criteria:
- Contain a clear diagnosis of a specific learning difficulty, such as dyslexia.
- Be complete by an educational psychologist, chartered psychologist, specialist teacher assessor holding a current Assessment Practising Certificate or other appropriate professional.
