If you choose to study at the University of Southampton, the Specialist Practitioners from the Student Disability and Inclusion team will be pleased to meet with you to ensure you have access to the most effective support available to assist you in your studies.

All students who share their disability or specific learning difference either on their application to the University or by filling in our Health Questionnaire, will receive an invitation via email to participate in the Transition Programme.

The email will contain a link to a Request for Support Form to ask you about your individual support needs and adjustments you may require.

Once completed, we will contact you by email once we have processed your form.

In many cases, we will be able to assess your support needs and put your recommended adjustments in place without meeting you. Sometimes we will ask you to attend a Student Support Appointment with one of our practitioners, if we think it would be helpful to discuss your circumstances further.

The purpose of the Student Support Appointment is for students to speak with a Specialist Practitioner to receive support, advice and guidance on various topics and to arrange for information to be shared with other parts of the University on a ‘need to know’ basis in order to ensure that appropriate adjustments are made.

You will meet the Specialist Practitioner on a one-to-one basis in a private meeting room or online via MS Teams. ​

You do not need medical evidence or a diagnostic report to have the appointment, however, we will need evidence to make formal recommendations (reasonable adjustments) for your study and exams.​

Students who engage with Student Disability and Inclusion team and have support recommendations put forward will likely to enjoy the University experience and face fewer issues.

The recommendations will vary from person to person, depending on your course, how your autism affects you and the impact on your studies.

During the Student Support Appointment you will have the opportunity to ask questions or suggest strategies or equipment that you feel you may benefit from, or have worked for you in the past.

By attending a Student Support Appointment, and by providing certain documentary evidence, you could receive the following (this is not an exhaustive list):

• Additional Exam Recommendations (AERs)
• Reasonable adjustments (e.g. lecture hand-outs in advance)
• Access to specialist assistive technology software
• Access to quiet study areas on campus

How to request support from Student Disability & Inclusion team

Complete a Request for Support form: Student Disability and Inclusion – Initial Student Support Appointment (office.com)

or

Contact the Student Hub The Student Hub | University of Southampton

During the Student Support Appointment meeting, you will have the opportunity to talk about many aspects of your University experience. You may wish to consider below questions in advance and bring your notes to the appointment.

• Have you got supporting information in relation to your condition, e.g. a letter from your GP or other health professional?
• Do you have any particular requirements in order to access your course, e.g. timetabling, access to notes in advance?
• How has your mental health and wellbeing been?
• Do you have any accommodation requirements and need for adaptations, e.g. to stay in halls beyond your first year?
• Do you need some information and advice on the Disabled Students’ Allowances (DSA) Applications process?
• Have you had special exam arrangements in the past (what were they) and will you benefit from the Additional Exam Recommendations (AERs)?
• Will you benefit from the access to the Assistive Technology Suite with specialist study software?
• Will Mentor Support and Learning Support Assistants be suitable for you?
• Will you require support and adjustments for practical sessions, field work and placements?

Information about Student Support Appointment and how to book one (requires University of Southampton log in): Student support appointments (sharepoint.com)

Booking your first Student Support Appointment: Transition Programme: request specialist support | Student Disability & Wellbeing | University of Southampton

Information about support for you if you don’t have a formal diagnosis (requires University of Southampton log in): I have an existing condition or specific learning difference but do not have formal evidence (sharepoint.com)

Guidance on evidence acceptable for Additional Exam Recommendations: Providing supporting evidence for your AERs – student’s guide

Supporting information (including medical evidence) checker – SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS CHECKER

Originally published by Autism& Uni in August 2017. Updated by Anna McCann,  University of Southampton, (April 2024).