FAQs

A full dyslexia assessment is designed to give your child a clearer picture of how they learn, so they can feel more confident and supported. Every child with dyslexia is different. Some may find reading and spelling harder, while others struggle more with memory, organisation, or the speed at which they process information.

The assessment looks at a wide range of skills, such as memory, language, problem-solving, and visual strengths, to build a personal learning profile for your child. This profile highlights not only the areas where your child finds things difficult, but also their unique strengths and talents.

Most importantly, the assessment helps your child understand that their challenges have a reason, and that with the right strategies and support, they can approach learning in ways that really work for them. This can make a big difference to their confidence, motivation, and enjoyment of learning.

If your child is experiencing significant difficulties in their studies in school or at home, a diagnostic assessment can help you clarify what these difficulties are and support you and their teachers with strategies for learning. It helps your child understand why they are experiencing difficulties and can help them to see themselves in a new, positive light. It is the only way you can receive a formal diagnosis of dyslexia and it can support an application for reasonable adjustments in formal examinations in school and university.

Many people have additional needs alongside dyslexia. These may include other specific learning differences such as dyspraxia or ADHD, aspects of neurodiversity such as autism, or mental health challenges such as anxiety or depression. I have experience working with students who have a wide range of needs and will always take individual requirements into account during an assessment.

In some situations, particularly where a learner has several difficulties or more complex needs, it may be more appropriate for them to see an educational psychologist rather than a dyslexia assessor. This can be discussed at the initial consultation so that, together, we can decide on the most suitable route for your child.

In accordance with SASC (the SpLD Assessment Standards Committee) guidelines, a full diagnostic assessment is appropriate from age 8 onwards. Where there are concerns about younger children and especially if there is a history of dyslexia or other specific learning difficulties in the family, an early dyslexia screening is recommended instead. A screener is not the same as a diagnosis, but can give an indication of possible dyslexic-type traits and suggest what support needs to be put in place in school and at home for the child to catch up. 

The report will include the following:

• A summary of key findings from the assessment and background information from home, school and/or other agencies
• Detailed interpretation of test results, including:
• General underlying ability: verbal and non verbal reasoning
• Academic attainment: reading, spelling, writing, and handwriting 
• Cognitive processing: memory, phonological skills, and processing speed
• Diagnostic decison based on a holistic view of assessment findings 
• Table of test scores 
• Key recommendations for supporting the learner including both at home and school, transition to next stage of education, any specialist intervention required and access arrangement support (if appropriate)

The cost of a full diagnostic assessment is £580. This includes the complete assessment, an in-depth written report with tailored recommendations, and a 30-minute follow-up phone consultation.

Please ensure that your child has had an eye test within the past 12 months. If glasses are required for near work e.g. reading, they will need to be brought along to the assessment. 

I recommend that parents first talk with their child’s class teacher or SENCO about any concerns before arranging a formal assessment. In many cases, schools already provide extra support, and a diagnostic assessment is not required for this to happen. However, it is important to note that dyslexia can only be formally identified through a full diagnostic assessment.

Information from your child’s school is an important part of the assessment process. It helps to build a more complete picture of your child’s strengths and areas of difficulty, as well as the support they have already received and how effective it has been. For this reason, I will ask that a questionnaire is completed by a teacher or SENCO who knows your child well.

It is also useful to bring along examples of your child’s work (from school or home), as well as any recent and relevant school reports, to the assessment session.

The setting for the assessment is an important consideration, and I aim to offer flexibility to meet the needs of each individual learner. Assessments can take place in my home in St Albans, or I can carry out the assessment in your home if the setting is appropriate and that would feel most comfortable and familiar for the learner (a small travel fee may be charged if outside the local area). In some cases, schools are open for assessments to take place on site. However, this depends on each school's policies regarding space, availability, and supervision. Whichever location is chosen, the aim is always to create a supportive environment that allows the learner to perform at their best and feel confident and secure.

A diagnostic decision will be made based on the Delphi (2025) definition of dyslexia. I take a holistic approach to diagnosis and factor in the background information received from the learner’s family and education setting, as well as performance in the assessments undertaken on the day of testing. If robust evidence of dyslexia is shown throughout the assessment process, a diagnosis of dyslexia will be given. If there is not enough evidence to support a diagnosis at the time of assessment, a diagnosis cannot be provided. A full and comprehensive report highlighting strengths and areas of difficulty will be written to the same standard and quality, whether a diagnosis is given or not, and detailed recommendations will be made to support the learner in either case.

A full diagnostic assessment is not required for formal Exam Access Arrangements. Your school’s SENCO will advise you on this. A diagnostic assessment can, however, provide recommendations that may support your child’s application for Exam Access Arrangements and normal ways of working.

As a valid APC holder, issued by British Dyslexia Association, a full diagnostic assessment for a specific learning difficulty (which includes dyslexia) undertaken at any age lasts a lifetime. It is a legal document which can be used to support an application for Disabled Students Allowance (DSA) if a learner transitions to university, as well as reasonable adjustments in the workplace.

Please contact me at dyslexiastalbans@gmail.com if you cannot find an answer to your question.