When you meet with an Adviser they will talk you through the various ways in which the School can provide support and adjustments to your studies, such as:

My Adjustments

Any necessary support and adjustments to your teaching and learning will be recorded within a document known as My Adjustments (MAs). MAs will be shared with staff on a need-to-know basis to ensure that these can be implemented. Examples of adjustments could be the provision of teaching materials in advance, making suitable arrangements for presentations and group work, and reserving appropriate seating.

MAs are created in collaboration with you, and will be discussed in detail with your adviser at your first appointment.

Before your first appointment it would be a good idea to try to think about the kind of areas where you can have difficulties when studying or in an educational setting.

Make a list of the support and adjustments you have had during previous studying experiences – eg. what has worked well and what not so well?

Think about what your course entails, for example group work and field trips. Your adviser will prompt you on these types of area when you meet, to see if there is anything we can do to make things more manageable. It can also help you better explain your thoughts if you think about potential issues beforehand.

Mentoring

Where appropriate we can refer you for mentoring support. Mentoring offers students a reflective and supportive space with an impartial professional who is not a member of LSE staff. Through regular meetings with your mentor you will have the chance to talk through the practicalities of your course and life at university with someone who understands the complications that autism/Asperger’s can bring. Together you can develop strategies to help you get the most out of your time at LSE.

Mentoring is free of charge for all students, though UK students will need to apply for Disabled Students’ Allowances for funding (please see section below). International students should speak to their adviser about a referral.

Central Exam Adjustments

We can recommend Central Exam Adjustments (CEAs) to ensure you are able to take your exams with reasonable adjustments in place. For example extra writing time and the use of a computer.

Appropriate (CEAs) can be discussed with your adviser, and are dependent on your individual circumstances and the medical evidence you provide. 

Home Students

UK students are encouraged to apply for Disabled Students’ Allowances (DSA). This will fund software and equipment which can help with areas such as organisation and planning, as well as mentoring (see above sections for details).

If you are funded by a UK Research Council, you should speak with an adviser for further information on how to apply. All other students must apply for DSA via Student Finance England, or the appropriate home country equivalent. Our team are happy to answer any questions you may have about the process.

International Students

International students are not eligible for DSA funding, though where appropriate, LSE will cover the cost of disability-related support and technology needed for your studies. 

For practical information and tips, please see our guide to studying at LSE with an autistic spectrum condition (pdf).

Once enrolled, students may have to undertake course selection as part of their programme. As a disabled student the below may be useful to consider:

1. Make sure to read the Course Selection Guidance well in advance.  

2. Ensure that the course selection system LSE for You is accessible to you and any specialist software you require.  

3. Find out as much as possible about the courses you are interested in (programme and course information), particularly around the methods of assessment used in order that you can consider how suited they are to you, and whether you may benefit from particular exam or assessment adjustments for them.  

4. Find out if your preferred courses involve field work or travel, for which you may need to plan ahead to ensure adjustments are in place.  

5. Discuss all the above with your DMHS Adviser, particularly if there are adjustments you would like to consider based on the above considerations.  

6. If you have any queries on the course selection process itself, please contact the Student Services Centre via the online enquiry form. 

7. If you have queries about the content of the courses you are considering, please contact the relevant teaching department.  

Any sensitive information which you provide is held by the Disability and Mental Health Service in the strictest confidence, and only shared with other LSE staff on a need-to-know basis with your prior consent. The only exception is where the withholding of information poses a significant risk of harm to yourself or others. For full details, please see our Policy, Procedures and Confidentiality page.