ADHD Needs Assessments
ADHD Assessments
ADHD needs assessments for HEIs
ADHD needs assessments for HEIs help disability and student support teams identify practical study-related recommendations for students who may need clearer support.
For students
A focused assessment can help students understand ADHD-related study barriers and the practical support that may help them manage university demands.
For disability teams
Assessment reports give disability and student support teams clearer, study-related recommendations for adjustments, strategies and onward support planning.
For referral pathways
UMO can work with HEIs to agree referral information, consent, reporting routes and how assessment activity is shared with the institution.
For support planning
Recommendations can connect assessment findings with study skills, assistive technology, mentoring, communication support and reasonable adjustments.
A practical assessment of ADHD-related study needs
An ADHD needs assessment in an HEI setting looks at how attention, planning, organisation, time management, working memory, emotional regulation and study routines affect the student's university experience. The emphasis is practical: what support could reduce avoidable barriers?
- Study demands, deadlines, lectures, seminars, placements and independent learning
- Existing support, reasonable adjustments, assistive tools and mentoring routes
- Clear recommendations that HEI teams and students can use for support planning
ADHD needs assessments for HEIs: how the process works
The process is designed to be straightforward for students and useful for HEI teams managing referrals, reports and follow-up support.
Referral and consent
The HEI and student confirm the referral route, available background information, consent, reporting arrangements and any timing considerations.
Student assessment
The student meets with a specialist assessor to discuss study demands, ADHD-related barriers, strengths, current strategies and support already in place.
Recommendations
UMO identifies practical support options such as study strategies, mentoring, assistive technology, timetable approaches and adjustment considerations.
Written report
The student and agreed HEI contact receive a clear report that can support disability advice, reasonable adjustments and follow-up planning.
Useful for services managing ADHD support demand
ADHD-related support needs often show up across deadlines, attendance, placements, independent study and communication with academic teams. A structured needs assessment helps turn that complexity into practical next steps.
UMO can discuss one-off referrals, agreed HEI referral routes or assessment capacity for specific student groups, depending on your institution's needs.
What recommendations can cover
Every report is individual, but ADHD needs assessment recommendations may cover a mix of study strategies, university adjustments, specialist support and practical tools.
Planning, prioritising, breaking down tasks, managing deadlines, preparing for seminars and building sustainable routines.
Tools for reminders, note-taking, reading, writing, time management, task tracking and reducing avoidable cognitive load.
Practical considerations for teaching, communication, assessment planning, placement preparation and support review meetings.
Where appropriate, recommendations may connect with specialist mentoring, coaching-style support or wider wellbeing provision.
Useful guidance
These resources may help HEI teams connect ADHD needs assessments with wider disability support, study adjustments and evidence-informed practice.
NHS ADHD in adults
Clear public guidance on ADHD symptoms, assessment routes and reasonable adjustments in work, college or university. Read NHS guidance.
NICE ADHD guideline
Clinical guideline NG87 on recognising, diagnosing and managing ADHD in children, young people and adults. View NICE NG87.
Disabled Students' Allowance
GOV.UK information on study-related support costs, eligibility and DSA needs assessments. View DSA guidance.
Office for Students
Guidance for providers on improving disabled students' access, participation and outcomes in higher education. Read OfS guidance.
Autism and neurodiversity
UMO also provides wider autism and neurodiversity support for education and work contexts. Explore UMO support.
Questions HEI teams ask
Useful starting points for disability, wellbeing and student support teams considering ADHD needs assessments.
Is this a diagnostic ADHD assessment?
No. This page is for ADHD needs assessments in HEI settings. The focus is on practical study-related barriers, support needs and recommendations, rather than making a clinical diagnosis.
Can this support university reasonable adjustments?
Yes. The report can help disability and student support teams understand practical support options and reasonable adjustment considerations for the student's HEI context.
Can HEIs refer multiple students?
Yes. UMO can discuss single referrals or an agreed referral pathway for institutions that need assessment capacity for a group of students.
Who receives the report?
Report sharing should be agreed before the assessment. Usually, the student receives the report and agreed HEI contacts receive it where consent and referral arrangements allow.
Plan ADHD needs assessments for HEIs
Contact UMO to discuss ADHD needs assessment referrals, reporting routes and practical support recommendations for students in your institution.