Dyslexia Assessments

Free advice

If you have any concerns or would simply like to discuss the options available to you, you may find our free 20 minute advice sessions useful.

The sessions can either take place over the phone or at our Coventry Centre.

1. Diagnostic assessment

Assessment is often the first step to understanding the obstacles that are getting in the way of progress and unlocking talent and self-belief.

Dyslexia assessments are not 'tests' that give a yes/no answer; they are focused on understanding each person as an individual and on finding a positive way forward. All of our assessments are followed up by practical advice, usually in a written report.

What is a diagnostic assessment?

This is the most comprehensive kind of assessment, focusing on dyslexia and the other specific learning difficulties which often co-occur with dyslexia.

It is called a diagnostic assessment because it aims to identify - or diagnose - what is at the root of the difficulties that are causing concern.  

This type of assessment usually takes between two and three hours. Reports provide the results of the main findings and recommendations for actions that will help find the most appropriate way forward.

Diagnostic assessments are needed in certain circumstances, for example for those wishing to claim the Disabled Students Allowance for University.

At what age can someone have a diagnostic assessment?

Diagnostic assessments can be delivered for individuals as young as 6 or 7 through to adults.  For younger children, the findings may be less conclusive so it can be better to have another kind of assessment, followed by some targeted support.

What kinds of diagnostic assessment are there?

1. Consulting Psychologist Assessment

• This diagnostic assessment is carried out by a Chartered Consulting Psychologist registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and the British Psychological Society.
• The assessments will focus on diagnosing dyslexia, dyscalculia, or dyspraxia. The assessment may also identify signs of other specific learning difficulties such as autistic spectrum disorder, attention deficit disorder (ADD) or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

2. Teacher Diagnostic Assessment

• This assessment is carried out by a fully qualified teacher holding an Assessment Practising Certificate. Depending on the age and the concerns raised, the assessment will focus on dyslexia. Guidance and advice can also be given where background information suggests signs of other specific learning difficulties such as dyscalculia, dyspraxia, autistic spectrum disorder, attention deficit disorder (ADD) or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

2. Tuition

We provide tuition for children and adults who have literacy or numeracy difficulties, dyslexia or other specific learning difficulties.  

Tuition can be delivered at our Coventry Centre, in school or college. It is provided on an individual or a small group basis, depending on availability and individual requirements.

Building on assessment information, our highly trained specialist tutors will identify key strengths as well as areas where support is needed. This may be, for example in literacy, numeracy, organisational skills, memory and study skills.

An individual program is then developed drawing on a wide range of strategies and techniques.  

What can tuition provide?

• Multi-sensory learning activities that are tailored to the learner (teaching involving multiple senses, including hearing, sight and movement, to help develop skills).
• Support for specific needs including reading, spelling, writing, comprehension, mathematics, organisation, time management and memory.
• Activities and strategies to boost self confidence.
• Support for specific tasks or assignments e.g. at work or in exams.
• Help to improve skills in writing reports, assignments and assessments.
• GCSE study support or entry examinations.

What happens when tuition starts?

An individual learning plan will be devised to meet your specific requirements. This learning plan will be reviewed regularly to assess progress. All tuition or coaching is learner-centred and is focused on the individual requirements of the learner at their stage on the educational journey.

3. Screenings and profiles

Screening Planning Assessment

This is a good option for someone who wants to begin some teaching or coaching but doesn't want or need a full assessment.  It focuses on the particular areas of concern which might be reading, spelling, maths, or something specific to a work situation.  Additional tests will look at the most likely barriers to progress in these areas.

The screening planning assessment is not a diagnostic assessment; but it can be used to provide a report to schools, colleges or in the workplace to inform support.

The assessment should take approximately 1.5 hours to carry out but usually we would book 2 hours for the member of staff to provide feedback.

4. Exam Access Arrangements

In most public and professional examinations, special arrangements are permitted to give a more equal opportunity to those with dyslexia, reading difficulties or other recognised difficulties.  Most examining bodies do not want a person to fail or underperform simply because they have made mistakes reading the question or been unable to write sufficiently quickly or legibly.

Different examination bodies have different requirements for evidence that such special arrangements are justified.

The Exam Access Arrangement report will provide specific details and recommendations for examinations which could include:

• Extra time usually 25%.
• Reader or a scribe.
• A separate room.
• Use of a computer (spell check is disabled) or a prompt.

The assessment for exam access arrangement usually takes between 1 and 1.5 hours.