DSA study skills · Online
What is a DSA Specialist Study Skills Tutor? | Lateral Minds Support
One-to-one study skills support for autistic students, funded by DSA and delivered online.
For students across England
- One to one, online
- Sessions around your timetable
- We reply within one working day
What is a Specialist Study Skills Tutor?
A Specialist Study Skills Tutor helps you work out how to study in a way that suits your brain.
You may also hear it called a study skills mentor, or a study skills tutor.
It’s one of the types of support DSA can pay for.
(DSA is the Disabled Students’ Allowance, government funding for study support. It isn’t a loan, and you never pay it back.)
What do they actually do?
Just imagine a deadline pile that feels impossible.
A study skills tutor helps you break it into steps you can start.
Sessions are one to one, and might cover:
- Planning an assignment or a dissertation
- Reading faster and remembering more
- Note-taking that works for you
- Academic writing (structure, paragraphs, referencing)
- Revision and exam technique
- Managing your time and workload
We build strategies you can use on your own, so you rely on us less over time, not more.
How is it different from a Specialist Mentor?
Short version:
- Study skills tutor: the how of studying. Planning, reading, writing, revising.
- Mentor: the barriers around studying. Routine, anxiety, motivation, transitions.
Your needs assessment (the informal meeting that decides what support you get) recommends which you need. Sometimes it’s one. Sometimes both.
Read more: What is a Specialist DSA Mentor?
What it isn’t
- It isn’t counselling or therapy.
- We never write your assignments for you.
- It isn’t a lecture. It’s practical and built around your work.
Who is it for?
Autistic students, and students with ADHD, dyslexia or other specific learning differences (such as dyspraxia).
Who pays?
DSA pays, if your needs assessment recommends it. Your household income doesn’t matter.
How do I get started?
- Check your DSA2 (the letter from Student Finance listing your approved support).
- Send it to hello@lateralminds.uk or call 01522 740138.
- Meet your tutor. We reply within one working day.
If Lateral Minds isn’t named on your letter, ask your needs assessor whether it can be.
In person or online, across the UK. Based in Lincoln and Hull.
How to start
Check your DSA2
The letter from Student Finance that lists your approved support.
Meet your tutor
We reply within one working day.
If Lateral Minds isn't named on your letter, ask your needs assessor whether it can be.