Education Support

Getting the right support in education can make a significant difference for neurodivergent learners at every stage, from primary school through to university. The type of support available depends on your age, your setting, and your specific needs, but the underlying principle is the same: education providers have a legal duty to ensure that neurodivergent students can access learning without being placed at a disadvantage.

This page covers the main forms of education support available in England, with notes on where systems differ in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs)

An Education, Health and Care Plan is a legal document that describes a child or young person’s special educational needs and the support they require. EHCPs are available for children and young people aged 0 to 25 in England and are the main mechanism for securing additional support in education settings.¹

As of January 2025, 638,700 children and young people in England had an EHCP, a figure that has doubled since 2016. One in 20 school-age children now has a plan, with numbers rising by approximately 11% each year.¹

Who can get an EHCP

EHCPs are designed for children and young people with special educational needs that cannot be met through the standard support available in their school or college. This includes neurodivergent conditions such as autism, ADHD, dyslexia, dyspraxia, developmental language disorder, and others, as well as associated mental health difficulties.

An EHCP may be appropriate if a child or young person needs support across education, health, and social care, or if their needs are complex enough that the school’s usual resources are not sufficient.

How to request an assessment

Anyone can ask a local authority to carry out an Education, Health and Care needs assessment. This includes parents, young people over 16, schools, healthcare professionals, and other agencies. The local authority must decide within six weeks whether to proceed with an assessment, and the full process should be completed within 20 weeks.¹

In practice, many local authorities do not meet this timeline. In 2024, only 46.4% of EHCPs were completed within the statutory 20-week period.¹

If the local authority refuses to assess, or refuses to issue an EHCP after assessment, you have the right to appeal to the SEND Tribunal.

The SEND Tribunal

The SEND Tribunal is an independent body that hears appeals from families when a local authority refuses to assess, refuses to issue a plan, or when families disagree with the contents of a plan.

These figures suggest that many initial refusals are not well-founded. If your request for an assessment or an EHCP has been refused, it is worth seeking advice about whether to appeal.

Neurodivergent children and EHCPs

Autistic children are disproportionately represented in SEND Tribunal appeals. Although 32% of children with EHCPs have autism, 45% of tribunal appeals involve autistic children and young people.² This suggests that autistic children may face particular barriers in accessing the support they are entitled to.

For children with ADHD, the picture is more complex. ADHD is not always recognised as a primary special educational need, and some schools may attribute a child’s difficulties to behaviour rather than to an underlying condition. If your child has ADHD and is not receiving adequate support, requesting an EHC needs assessment is a legitimate step.

Upcoming SEND reforms

The government is planning reforms to the SEND system, with a green or white paper expected in early 2026. Proposed changes may include narrowing EHCP eligibility to children with the most complex needs, with alternative support plans for others. Ministers have also committed £740 million to building specialist provision in mainstream schools.⁴

The details of these reforms are not yet finalised, and there are concerns that lighter-touch alternatives to EHCPs may not carry the same legal protections. Until new legislation is passed, the current EHCP system remains in place.

Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA)

Disabled Students’ Allowance is a grant for university and college students whose disability, long-term health condition, or neurodivergent condition affects their ability to study. It is not means-tested and does not need to be repaid.⁵

What DSA covers

DSA can fund specialist equipment such as a laptop or assistive software, non-medical helpers such as a specialist mentor, study skills tutor, or note-taker, extra travel costs related to your disability, and other study-related support. When purchasing a new computer, students are asked to contribute the first £200.⁵

For neurodivergent students, the most commonly funded provisions include specialist mentoring for people with autism, ADHD, or mental health conditions, study skills support for people with dyslexia, ADHD, or other learning differences, and assistive technology such as text-to-speech software, mind-mapping tools, and recording equipment.

How much is available

For the 2025-26 academic year, the maximum DSA allowance is £27,783 for students in England.⁵ The actual amount you receive depends on your individual needs assessment, not your income. Most students receive significantly less than the maximum.

Eligibility

To be eligible for DSA, you must be studying an undergraduate or postgraduate course in the UK that lasts at least one year, and your condition must meet the Equality Act 2010 definition of disability. You do not need to have a formal diagnosis at the point of application, but you will need to provide evidence of your condition, such as a diagnostic report, a letter from a healthcare professional, or an educational psychologist’s assessment.⁵

International students without settled status are not eligible for DSA, but universities still have a duty to make reasonable adjustments under the Equality Act.

How to apply

You apply for DSA through your country’s student finance body: Student Finance England, Student Finance Wales, the Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS), or Student Finance NI. You should apply early, as the process from application to receiving support can take around 14 weeks.⁶

After your application is approved, you will be invited to a needs assessment. This is an informal discussion, usually lasting around two hours, about your course, your condition, and the challenges you experience. The assessor will recommend a package of support tailored to your needs.

Exam access arrangements

Exam access arrangements are adjustments to examination conditions that allow students with disabilities and learning differences to demonstrate their knowledge and skills without being disadvantaged by the format of the exam. They are available at all levels of education, from GCSEs to university assessments.⁷

Common arrangements

The most commonly granted arrangements for neurodivergent students include extra time, which is usually 25% additional time for students who process information more slowly or who need extra time to manage executive functioning demands. A reader or computer reader can be provided for students who have difficulty processing written text. A scribe or use of a word processor may be arranged for students who have difficulty with handwriting due to dyspraxia, dysgraphia, or other conditions. Rest breaks are available for students who experience fatigue, sensory overload, or difficulty sustaining attention. A separate room can be arranged for students who are significantly distracted by noise or the presence of others, or who need to use assistive technology.

How to apply

For school-age students, the school’s Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO) is responsible for applying for exam access arrangements. The application must be supported by evidence of the student’s needs, which may include an educational psychologist’s report, a medical diagnosis, or evidence of the adjustments already in place at school.

For university students, the process is usually managed through the university’s disability service, and evidence requirements vary between institutions.

SEN support in schools

Not every child who needs additional support requires an EHCP. Schools in England are expected to provide SEN support for children who have been identified as having special educational needs, using a graduated approach of assess, plan, do, and review.⁸

This means the school should assess the child’s needs, plan the support required, put that support in place, and review its effectiveness regularly. If the child’s needs cannot be met through SEN support alone, this may form the basis for requesting an EHC needs assessment.

Every school must have a Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO) who is responsible for coordinating support for children with SEN. The SENCO is your first point of contact if you are concerned about your child’s needs at school.

Further resources

IPSEA provides free legal advice on education support for children with SEN in England, including EHCPs and exclusions.

SOS SEN offers free support to families going through the EHCP process.

GOV.UK - Disabled Students’ Allowance is the official DSA application page.

Special Needs Jungle is an independent resource for parents navigating the SEND system.

Citizens Advice can help with education-related queries, including exclusions and disability discrimination.

Council for Disabled Children provides information and resources for families and professionals.