Additional Needs and Disabilities Support: Our team is dedicated to providing a friendly, confidential, and easily accessible service to assist students with dyslexia, as well as other neurodiverse conditions, disabilities, and medical conditions.

We encourage students to disclose any additional needs during the application process or before applying to ensure that we can provide the necessary support throughout their studies.

If an additional need arises during their studies, we kindly request that students inform our team as soon as possible by contacting us on the details below.

I really think without their support and advice I wouldn’t be enjoying it much and I would really struggle. I really enjoyed one to one sessions with Abi who also takes notes for me in lessons, I learn a lot faster and understand quickly.

They also give me the confidence to stay at ACM as it’s very new for me as I was previously taught at a boarding school for the deaf. Without them I probably wouldn’t carry on or be excited to stay on at ACM and learn more”

Iain Botting
If you require our assistance, please don’t hesitate to contact a member of our team using the details provided below
Email: and@acm.ac.uk
Tel: 01483 500 800

Diploma Students

Diploma students with additional needs may be eligible for various forms of support, including:

  • Special examination arrangements
  • In-class support
  • Individual academic study tutorials
  • Initial screening for dyslexia

Suitable evidence for these additional needs can include a full diagnostic assessment report or relevant medical evidence.

Degree Students

Degree students studying at ACM who require support are encouraged to apply for the Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA).

To apply for the DSA, you can complete the application process online at www.yourdsa.com. If you need assistance with the application, the AND Team is available to provide support.

To qualify for the DSA, you will need to provide evidence of a disability, medical condition, sensory impairment, physical disability, mental health condition, or a specific learning difficulty (such as dyslexia) that affects your ability to study.

You will need to submit this evidence along with your application to the appropriate funding provider, which in this case is Student Finance England (SFE).

Confirmation of your application’s status will be received within 6 weeks. Please note that it may take up to 14 weeks to have your DSA support put in place, as this process is separate.

Once your application for the DSA is accepted, the funding provider may require you to book a Study Needs Assessment. The cost of this assessment will be covered by the Disabled Students’ Allowances.

The funding provider (Student Finance England) will send you a letter outlining the support they will provide through the Disabled Students’ Allowances.

The letter will detail the allowances you are currently entitled to, including specialist equipment, non-medical helpers’ allowance, general allowance, and travel allowance.

You will need to provide a copy of this letter to the ACM AND Team.

For students attending the Guildford ACM campus, the AND Team will assist in making necessary arrangements to access the support outlined in the letter. The team at Guildford includes in-house specialists who can provide Academic Study Skills Tutorials or Mentoring Tutorials.

Alternatively, students have the option to access this support through qualified agencies specialising in these services. Whether you choose internal or agency support does not affect the level of assistance offered.

For students attending the London or Birmingham campuses, please contact the listed suppliers to arrange the entitled support.

DSA support at these campuses will be provided by qualified agencies specialising in this service.

Reasonable Adjustments:

Upon disclosure of additional needs, the AND team ensures that necessary reasonable adjustments are implemented for students throughout their time at ACM. Most students with identified additional needs are entitled to receive reasonable adjustments, such as extra support or modified examination conditions (e.g. extra time).

Academic Study Skills Tutorials:

One-on-one tutorials are available through the DSA, focusing on developing strategies to support neurodiversity, disabilities, or medical conditions. These tutorials cover various areas, including reading, research skills, writing, organisation, spelling, grammar, note-taking, time management, use of assistive technology, revision, and examination approaches.

Mentoring Tutorials:

One-on-one mentoring sessions, facilitated by experienced mental health professionals, provide friendly support, advice, and advocacy for students.

Screening for Dyslexia:

At Guildford ACM, students have the option to book screening tests to assess for dyslexic tendencies. It is recommended to undergo this screening test before considering a costly diagnostic assessment. If a further diagnostic assessment is warranted based on the screening test, the team can provide recommendations for qualified assessors.
ACM’s participation in the Student Health Scheme, administered by the Musicians Benevolent Fund (MBF), allows students to apply for grants to cover health treatment costs. Application forms can be obtained through the MBF website.

Dyslexia is a specific difficulty characterised by a combination of strengths and weaknesses. It affects information processing (receiving, holding, retrieving and structuring information). It therefore has an impact on skills such as reading, writing, using symbols and musical notation.

Other things to know about dyslexia:

  • Dyslexia is not related to intelligence.
  • People with dyslexia have their own individual profiles of strengths and weaknesses; no two people are exactly the same and the impact of dyslexia on each individual is different.
  • Dyslexia may overlap with related conditions such as dyspraxia or Attention Deficit Disorder (with or without hyperactivity) and dysphasia (total or partial loss of verbal language).
  • Most dyslexics appear to be born with dyslexia, although a few acquire it through accident or illness.
  • Many people with dyslexia have a family member with the same condition.
  • Dyslexia is legally recognised as a disability under the Equality Act 2010.Dyslexics are often innovative thinkers who can be very successful in the creative arts and business; think of Richard Branson and Steve Jobs. Famous dyslexic musicians include Noel Gallagher, Cher, John Lennon, Joss Stone and Ozzy Osbourne.

For further information: British Dyslexia Association

How can ACM Additional Needs Department help with dyslexia?

If you are unsure or do not have an official dyslexia diagnosis ACM is able to offer a
QuickScreen test to enrolled students. This can be used to aid an official diagnosis.
Using the recommendations from your diagnostic assessment as a guide, we will
ensure that you get any access arrangements to which you are entitled.
Students awarded DSA may get support in the following areas:

■ Note-taking techniques
■ Assignment planning
■ Academic writing style
■ Reading strategies
■ Organisational skills and time management
■ Revision techniques and strategies
■ 1:1 Study Skills Tutorials as required

What to do next:

Please email our Additional Needs Team at anddegree@acm.ac.uk for further
information or call our switchboard on 01483 500 800.

Developmental dyspraxia affects the way that the brain processes information, which results in messages not being properly or fully transmitted. It is associated with problems of perception, language and thought. Dyspraxia sometimes runs in families and may overlap with other learning differences or related conditions such as Attention Deficit Disorder.

Other things to know about Dyspraxia

The experience of people with dyspraxia may vary as widely as those with dyslexia, but they will usually encounter a combination of difficulties that may include any of the following:

  • Motor co-ordination skills: Poor balance / poor posture and fatigue. Clumsy gait and movement and a lack of manual dexterity. Poor hand to eye co-ordination.
  • Perception: Poor visual perception, lack of spatial relationships awareness / inadequate sense of direction. Little sense of time, speed, distance or weight.
  • Learning, thought and memory: Difficulty with the planning and organising of thought / and concentration. Poor memory. Problems with maths, reading and spelling and writing. Difficulty in following instructions.
  • Speech and language: Difficulty with the content, clarity and sequence of language.
  • Emotion and behaviour: Difficulty in listening to people/ picking up non-verbal signals or judging tone or pitch of voice. Tendency to take things literally and difficulty in adapting to situations.

For further information: Dyspraxia Foundation

How can ACM Additional Needs Department help with dyspraxia?

Using the recommendations from your diagnostic assessment as a guide, we will
ensure that you get any access arrangements to which you are entitled.
Students awarded DSA may get support in the following areas:

■ Note-taking techniques
■ Assignment planning
■ Academic writing style
■ Reading strategies
■ Organisational skills and time management
■ Revision techniques and strategies
■ 1:1 Study Skills Tutorials as required

What to do next:

Please email our Additional Needs Team at anddegree@acm.ac.uk for further
information or call our switchboard on 01483 500 800.

Dyscalculia is an individual’s difficulty in conceptualising numbers, number relationships, outcomes of numerical operations and estimation. This difficulty can occur at a concrete or abstract level, therefore an ACM student with dyscalculia may discover problems understanding music theory terminology, including note values, time signatures and other related keyboard skills.

Find out more information about Dyscalculia.

How can ACM Additional Needs Department help with Dyscalculia?

Using the recommendations from your diagnostic assessment as a guide, we will
ensure that you get any access arrangements to which you are entitled.
Students awarded DSA may get support in the following areas:

■ Access all the theory tutorials and masterclasses that are available.
■ Develop strategies for memorisation of the rules of music theory.
■ Become proficient in the use of transcription software.

What to do next:

Please email our Additional Needs Team at anddegree@acm.ac.uk for further
information or call our switchboard on 01483 500 800.

ADHD stands for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. It’s thought to be caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain that affects the parts controlling attention, concentration and impulsivity. It can co-occur with dyslexia and other specific learning differences.

Adult ADHD is characterised by:

  • Inattention
  • Restlessness
  • Impulsivity
  • Inappropriate behaviour

If no hyperactivity is present, (ADD), then characteristics may include:

  • Difficulties staying focused (appearing ‘dreamy’)
  • Easily distracted
  • Poor listening skills

Find out more information about AD(H)D

How can ACM Additional Needs Department help with AD(H)D?

Using the recommendations from your diagnostic assessment as a guide, we will
ensure that you get any access arrangements to which you are entitled.

Students awarded DSA may get support in the following areas:

■ Self esteem
■ Social skills
■ Organisational skills and time management
■ Use of assistive software
■ Note-taking techniques
■ Assignment planning

What to do next:

Please email our Additional Needs Team at anddegree@acm.ac.uk for further
information or call our switchboard on 01483 500 800.

Autistic Spectrum Disorder / Asperger’s syndrome

Asperger’s syndrome is an autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) and is a lifelong developmental disorder that affects the way a person communicates and relates to people around them. People with ASD are usually of average or above average intelligence, however social interaction can be very difficult for them and they can experience high levels of stress and anxiety. The condition affects people in different ways; however everyone with ASD shares a difficulty in making sense of the world.

ASD is characterised by difficulties in:

  • Communicating
  • Social relationships
  • Imaginative thought and feeling
  • Deviating from routines

People with ASD have many skills and strengths; enthusiasm, punctuality, determination, and reliability are among the many qualities that students with Asperger’s Syndrome bring to ACM.

Find out more information about Austism from The National Autistic Society.

How can ACM Additional Needs Department help with ASD?

Using the recommendations from your diagnostic assessment as a guide, we will
ensure that you get any access arrangements to which you are entitled.

You may also have access to

■ Invitation to an early meet and greet with a member of the AND team
■ Weekly mentoring (if recommended through DSA)
■ 1:1 study skills tutorials as required (if recommended through DSA)

What to do next:

Please email our Additional Needs Team at anddegree@acm.ac.uk for further
information or call our switchboard on 01483 500 800.

Language is very complex and students can have difficulties with developing the skills required to use language effectively. A specific speech and language disorder is a disability in its own right as it affects a student’s ability to learn.

Speech and Language Disorder is characterised by difficulties with:

  • Multi-tasking e.g. writing notes while following spoken instructions
  • Understanding tone of voice
  • Finding the words that are needed
  • Mixing up words with similar sounds

Find out more information about Speech and Language Difficulties.

How can ACM Additional Needs Department help with Speech and
Language Difficulties?

Using the recommendations from your diagnostic assessment as a guide, we will
ensure that you get any access arrangements to which you are entitled.

Students awarded DSA may get support in the following areas:

■ Social skills
■ Note-taking techniques
■ Use of assistive software
■ Assignment planning
■ Academic writing style
■ Organisational skills and time management

What to do next:

Please email our Additional Needs Team at anddegree@acm.ac.uk for further
information or call our switchboard on 01483 500 800.

Auditory Processing Disorder (abbreviated to ‘APD’) is a condition where, despite no hearing loss, a person cannot understand the sounds they hear. They may have difficulties with:

  • Understanding when listening
  • Self-expression using speech
  • Reading
  • Remembering instructions
  • Understanding spoken messages
  • Staying focused

Find out more information about Auditory Processing Disorder (APD)

How can ACM Education Guidance help with APD?

Using the recommendations from your diagnostic assessment as a guide, we will
ensure that you get any access arrangements to which you are entitled.

Students awarded DSA may get support in the following areas:

■ Vocabulary and use of musical terminology
■ Use of assistive software
■ Note-taking techniques
■ Presentation skills

What to do next:

Please email our Additional Needs Team at anddegree@acm.ac.uk for further
information or call our switchboard on 01483 500 800.

There are a number of other difficulties and mental health conditions that can affect
individuals. Each can offer their own difficulties to students and can impact their
overall attendance, academic abilities and social engagement with others.
Prospective students with any disability or diagnosed mental health concern are
encouraged to register with the Additional Needs Department as early as possible to
ensure that all necessary support is put in place.

What to do next:

Please email our Additional Needs Team at anddegree@acm.ac.uk for further
information or call our switchboard on 01483 500 800.

The transition from an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) to Disabled Students’ Allowances (DSA) support provision typically occurs when a student with a disability or specific learning difficulty moves from Further Education to Higher Education, such as college to university.

Here is an overview of the transition process:

Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP): An EHCP is a legal document in the United Kingdom that outlines the support and accommodations a student with special educational needs requires in school. It covers education, health, and social care needs. EHCPs are generally provided for students up to the age of 25.

When a student with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) applies to a college (Diploma / Further Education), a consultation process takes place between the college and the student’s local authority. This process aims to evaluate whether the college is capable of fulfilling the student’s needs and provisions as outlined in the EHCP. It is important to note that colleges are legally obligated to accept students with EHCPs, unless they can demonstrate that they are unable to meet the student’s needs or that offering the student a place would negatively impact the education of other students.

Decision to pursue higher education: When a student with an EHCP decides to pursue higher education (Degree), they must inform their local authority and the Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO). This triggers the transition process.

Assessment of needs: The student is referred to the relevant higher education institution’s disability support team or disability services. The institution will conduct an assessment to determine the student’s specific needs in the new educational setting.

Disabled Students’ Allowances (DSA) application: In the UK, Disabled Students’ Allowances (DSA) is a government-funded scheme that provides financial support to students with disabilities or specific learning difficulties in higher education. The student will need to apply for DSA by completing an application form and providing relevant documentation, including medical evidence or a diagnostic assessment report.

DSA needs assessment: Once the DSA application is received, the funding body will arrange a needs assessment. The assessment is conducted by an independent assessor who will meet with the student to discuss their disability-related needs and recommend appropriate support.

Support provision: Based on the needs assessment, the student will receive a DSA entitlement letter outlining the support they are eligible for. This support can include assistive technology, specialised equipment, non-medical helpers, and other accommodations tailored to the student’s needs.

Collaboration with the higher education institution: The DSA support provider will work closely with the student’s chosen higher education institution to coordinate the implementation of support services. This collaboration ensures that the necessary accommodations are in place and accessible to the student throughout their studies.

It’s important to note that the transition process may vary slightly depending on individual circumstances and regional policies. It’s advisable for students to consult with their college’s SENCO, disability support services at their chosen higher education institution, and relevant government agencies to get accurate and up-to-date information regarding the transition from EHCP to DSA support provision.