Optimum Student Support
optimum
/ɒptɪməm/ -noun, adjective
“most conducive to a favourable outcome; best.”
Set up your DSA supportTrain with us to become NMH Autism and ADHD Support Worker DfE approved courses as mandatory qualifications for the roles of study skills and strategy support and autism specialist mentors.
Apprenticeship
Academic and Wellbeing Support for Apprenticeship Learners. Individually tailored support to help each apprentice reach their full academic, employment and wellbeing potential
Sharing Knowledge, Evolving Together,
Future of Education
Reason behind
Our Success
We’re More Than A Non-Medical Help Provider.
We support students across the UK, providing access to knowledge and developing models of good practice.
About us
Experts In Mental Health and Neurodiversity
E-Learning and Online Training
20 Years’ Experience
Covering the UK
What we do?
We work together to create individually tailored support that we are proud of for people we believe in.
DSA Funded Support
We believe when students are in charge of their own learning, they feel a sense of belonging—education than becomes a space defined by them and allows their voices to be heard and lived experiences acknowledged. The triumphs and the lessons are their own.
Find out moreCapacity Check
We support students across the UK .
We believe giving students choices and making learning happen the way they learn best promotes awareness and independence.
Check capacity
Set up your DSA Funded Support
We are here- supporting you all the way.
Empowered students can consider varied perspectives, negotiate with others, think independently, make their own decisions thoughtfully and act on that knowledge.
Set Up Your SupportWork with Us
Job Description:
Create individually tailored support that you are proud of for people you believe in.
Let's go!
How we do it?
Best Of the Best
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
ADHD is characterised by a predominance of either inattentive or hyperactive-impulsive symptoms, or a combination of both. The condition involves challenges in managing attention, with considerable variability in how individuals focus on tasks based on their relevance. ADHD individuals often seek sensory stimulation and may have a strong need for movement, which can aid in concentration, anxiety regulation, or serve as a form of release. Organisational tasks can be particularly challenging, and there may be difficulties in retaining information in working memory. Written instructions or note-taking can be beneficial. Support in breaking down tasks and managing organisation is often needed.
This will close in 0 seconds
Neurodiversity
Neurodiversity acknowledges the natural variations in human brain function and behavioural traits as integral to human diversity, viewing conditions like autism, ADHD, dyslexia, dyspraxia, and dyscalculia not as disorders but as different aspects of neurocognitive functioning. It advocates for societal shifts towards greater acceptance, rights, and accommodations for those with neurological differences, emphasizing inclusion and support. The concept of a "spiky profile" integrates with this view, illustrating how individuals may exhibit significant strengths in certain areas while facing challenges in others, further highlighting the diverse spectrum of human abilities and the need for tailored support.
This will close in 0 seconds
Dyspraxia
Dyspraxia affects both fine and gross motor skills, significantly impacting writing, typing, and self-care activities. Dyspraxic individuals may also face challenges with memory, attention, perception, and processing, leading to difficulties in planning, organisation, executing actions, or following instructions in the correct order.
This will close in 0 seconds
Dyscalculia
Individuals with dyscalculia struggle with mastering arithmetic skills, calculations, number sense, and mathematical reasoning. Challenges often extend to understanding quantities, time, and abstract numerical concepts. Dyscalculia is frequently accompanied by working memory difficulties. Approximately 50% of individuals with dyscalculia also face reading challenges, and many experience significant maths anxiety.
This will close in 0 seconds
Dyslexia
Dyslexia is a learning difficulty that affects the ability to develop automatic and fluent word reading and spelling skills. It is often associated with challenges in phonological awareness, which involves understanding and manipulating the sounds in words, and may also impact orthographic processing—the recognition of whole words, letter strings, or spelling patterns. Dyslexic individuals might be self-conscious about reading aloud, which can also hinder comprehension, and may avoid using complex vocabulary in writing to prevent spelling errors. Though not officially part of the diagnostic criteria, dyslexic individuals often struggle with organisation, sequencing, and may have low academic self-esteem. A notable discrepancy exists between their confidence in verbal tasks versus written tasks.
This will close in 0 seconds
Autism
According to current diagnostic criteria, autistic individuals face challenges primarily in social communication and exhibit restricted, repetitive patterns of behaviour. The severity of these challenges can vary significantly. Many autistic individuals have sensory sensitivities that are particularly challenging in new and unfamiliar environments. Furthermore, they often prefer structured and predictable settings, benefiting from ample time to process information and adapt to changes. Social anxiety can pose a significant challenge in unstructured and unpredictable social situations. While the challenges of autism might be less visible in certain settings, they can still have a profound, cumulative effect on mental health, well-being, and may lead to burnout.
This will close in 0 seconds