Obtaining medical evidence

In order to access support, you need to have a diagnosis of autism, Asperger Syndrome or another condition on the autism spectrum. All medical evidence needs to state your diagnosis, give a date of diagnosis and outline the impact that your condition is likely to have on your studies. This could be in the form of:

• a diagnostic assessment completed at any age by a relevant professional. If your assessment was completed some years ago, you may need to obtain additional evidence but your advisor can provide you with guidance about this.
• a letter written and signed by your GP (on headed notepaper or stamped with the surgery details).
• a statement of special educational needs completed by a relevantly qualified professional.

All of our students must provide some evidence of their condition in order to access support. All medical evidence needs to be provided by your GP or a relevant medical practitioner. It must state your diagnosis, give a date of diagnosis and outline the impact that your condition is likely to have on your studies. This could be in the form of:

• a letter written and signed (on headed notepaper or stamped with the surgery / practitioner details).
• if you have a diagnosis but do not yet have medical evidence we would recommend that you ask for theStudent Finance England mental health evidence form orStudent Finance Wales medical evidence form to be completed. It provides evidence in a format accepted by the main funding bodies.

All of our students must provide some evidence of their condition in order to access support. All medical evidence needs to be provided by your GP or a relevant medical practitioner. It must state your diagnosis, give a date of diagnosis and outline the impact that your condition is likely to have on your studies. This could be in the form of:

• a letter written and signed (on headed notepaper or stamped with the surgery / practitioner details)
• if you have a diagnosis but do not yet have medical evidence we would recommend that you ask for theStudent Finance England disability evidence form or Student Finance Wales medical evidence form to be completed. It provides evidence in a format accepted by the main funding bodies

In order to access support, you need to have a diagnosis of dyslexia or a Specific Learning Difficulty (SpLD). In accordance with government guidelines, the assessment should have been carried out when you were over the age of 16, by a chartered psychologist, clinical or educational psychologist registered with the Health and Care Professionals Council or specialist tutor with a current practising certificate. Assessments must comply with the guidelines set out by the SpLD Assessment Standards Committee which means they need to include:

• Detailed information about the tests used, with ceilings, age range, results, conclusions.
• Tests of cognitive ability/processing, general underlying ability and attainment, the results of which indicate Dyslexia/SpLD.
• Discussion of the impact of Dyslexia/SpLD on the student's performance in Higher Education.

If you do not have a diagnosis but would like to discuss how to have an assessment for a SpLD, current students need to complete the dyslexia screening request form and applicants need to contact studentservices@cardiffmet.ac.uk.

Dyslexia / SpLD Screening and Assessment Process:

Why do a screening?

If you have accessed learning support previously or are experiencing issues with your studies but have no formal diagnosis, we would encourage you to undertake a screening. The screening and feedback from an Advisor can be done either online or in a 1:1 session. The screening is not a positive diagnosis but forms the basis of a referral for a full diagnostic assessment. The feedback will advise you about the process and what support you will be able to access should you have a diagnosis.

Paying for your Dyslexia Assessment:

There is a £225 charge for a full diagnostic assessment. If you feel you cannot meet this cost you can apply to the Cardiff Met Hardship Fund for additional financial support. Our Finance and Welfare Advisors can also discuss this process and help you with your application.

After your assessment:

Upon completion of your assessment you will receive a written report detailing the results. You will then be contacted by an Advisor arrange an appointment to discuss your report. They will explain the results to you and their implications. If you have received a diagnosis of dyslexia or SpLD they will talk to you about your support options, and how to apply for a DSA.