Diagnostic Assessment Service

The University of Hertfordshire is pleased to be able to offer students a diagnostic service to determine if you have a Specific Learning Difficulty such as Dyslexia or Dyspraxia, or a Non Verbal Learning Difficulty.

If you are seeking an assessment for ADHD/ADD you should seek this diagnosis from your GP.

This service is available to all students and staff at the University.

In order to apply for a Disabled Students Allowance for specific learning difficulties such as dyslexia you must have a full diagnostic assessment completed after you turn 16 years of age.

Full diagnostic assessments identify your key areas of strength and provide evidence of your difficulties.

The report produced after your assessment will contain recommendations for teaching and learning strategies. The assessor will also ask for some background information about your previous educational experiences and any relevant medical history.

For students of the University

This service is only open to students at the University so as soon as you are enrolled on a course you can contact us to book an assessment if you want to. You can be assessed at any time during your studies, however, the earlier on in your course you seek the assessment and any subsequent support you are entitled to, then the better it will be for you.

At the assessment

You should allow 2-3 hours for the assessment. The assessor may be able to tell you at the end of the assessment if it is a positive diagnosis, however they may need to take time to reflect on your scores.

The assessor will write a full report after the assessment and you should have this approximately 2 weeks afterwards.

You will be expected to carry out a variety of short tasks some which measure your skills in reading, writing and comprehension, processing skills and abilities.

The different exercises used are part of well recognised assessment procedures designed specifically for use on people aged 16 years and over. It is recognised that when you reach adulthood you are likely to have developed many of your own strategies to manage a specific learning difficulty, and the tests are designed purposely to see past these.

After the assessment

The report is shared with Disability Services who will contact you to encourage you to make an appointment to discuss any arrangements which need to be made for your studies.

At this appointment you can discuss with the Disability Adviser who you are happy for the report to be shared with. It is your report so it is up to you to decide who sees that information.

Book an assessment

Contact Disability Services to make an appointment or discuss Diagnostic Assessments.