Dyslexia Assessments
When Might a Dyslexia Assessment Be Helpful?
A dyslexia assessment can be helpful when a child, young person or adult is experiencing ongoing difficulties with learning, particularly in areas related to reading, writing or processing information.
You may wish to consider an assessment if your child or student:
• Is finding reading or spelling more difficult than expected for their age
• Reads slowly or with effort, or avoids reading tasks
• Has difficulty expressing ideas in writing
• Struggles to remember instructions, sequences or key information
• Takes longer than peers to complete written work or homework
• Finds it difficult to organise their work or manage tasks
• Appears to be working hard but not making expected progress
• Has a noticeable gap between their ability and attainment
An assessment can also be useful:
• When concerns have been raised by a teacher or SENCO
• Before important stages such as SATs, GCSEs or A Levels
• When applying for exam Access Arrangements
• To better understand how to support learning at home and in school
A diagnostic assessment provides a clear understanding of strengths and areas of need, helping parents, schools and students put the right support in place and move forward with confidence.
Before the Assessment
Before the assessment, we will have a detailed discussion about your child to build an understanding of their strengths and areas of difficulty. Questionnaires will also be completed by parents, the child and their teacher to provide important background information.
The Assessment Session
Assessments usually take place at my home, although alternative arrangements can be discussed.
The session involves a range of engaging activities exploring areas such as reading, spelling, writing, memory, processing and general ability. The assessment typically takes around three hours and can be split if needed. Breaks are provided to ensure your child feels comfortable and supported throughout.
After the Assessment
A detailed report is provided within two weeks. Where appropriate, this will confirm a diagnosis of dyslexia, outline strengths and areas of difficulty, and include practical recommendations to support learning at home and in school. A follow-up call is included to discuss the findings and next steps.
If Dyslexia Is Not Identified
If dyslexia is not indicated, a full report is still provided, including recommendations and guidance to support your child and, where appropriate, suggestions for further support.
If you would like to discuss whether a diagnostic dyslexia assessment would be appropriate, please feel free to get in touch to arrange an initial consultation.
The Assessment Process
When Might a Dyslexia Screening Assessment Be Helpful?
A screening assessment can be a helpful first step if you are concerned that your child may be showing signs of dyslexia but are unsure whether a full diagnostic assessment is needed.
Screening is a shorter, informal assessment that looks at key areas such as reading, spelling, memory and processing skills. It provides an indication of whether a learner may have dyslexic traits and highlights any areas where additional support may be beneficial.
Following the screening, you will receive clear feedback and guidance, including whether a full diagnostic assessmentis recommended. This can help you feel more confident about the next steps. A screening assessment is particularly useful if:
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You are noticing ongoing difficulties with reading, writing or spelling
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Your child is working hard but not making expected progres
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You would like an initial understanding before committing to a full assessment
While screening does not provide a formal diagnosis, it can offer valuable insight and help you decide how best to support your child moving forward.
Screening vs Full Diagnostic Assessment
Screening Assessment
A shorter assessment to identify possible dyslexic traits
Provides an initial indication of strengths and areas of difficulty
Helpful as a first step if you are unsure whether a full assessment is needed
Full Diagnostic Assessment
A comprehensive assessment using standardised tests
Provides a detailed profile of strengths and areas of need
Can confirm a formal diagnosis of dyslexia (where appropriate)
Includes a written report with clear recommendations
Can support applications for exam Access Arrangements