The Academic Assessment

An academic assessment is aimed at children who are too young to be diagnosed with dyslexia, but are displaying difficulties with reading, writing or spelling. It a useful first step to understanding the obstacles that are restricting academic progress. It helps all those involved to have a deeper understanding of how the child learns, processes and understands information.

The assessment can provide an explanation for a child's difficulties with reading, writing or spelling.

An Academic Assessment will Investigate:

  • Underlying ability: Verbal and Non-Verbal underlying ability.
  • Information Processing: Phonological processing; Working memory; Processing speed.
  • Academic attainment: Single word reading; Timed reading; Reading efficiency and comprehension; Spelling; Handwriting speed.

Age Range for Academic Assessments

Whilst the target age range is children who are 6 or 7 years old, the assessment can be conducted for any age.

The Assessment Report:

Based upon the background information, attainment in tests and observations, the assessment report will summarise the child’s areas of strength and difficulty in relation to their underlying ability, processing speed, working memory, phonics skills as well as their reading, writing and spelling abilities.

The detailed report provides information about the individual’s performance in areas assessed and outlines the strengths and areas for development. The report will make recommendations for supportive strategies and resources for use at home and within the classroom as well as the focus for specialist tuition. Recommendations might include referrals to other professionals for further investigation.

Academic Assessment Benefits

The 3 main benefits of an academic assessment report are:

  • The report will provide a comprehensive analysis of a child’s literacy abilities.
  • The report will come with many recommendations so that the school will have specific information on how best to support the child's learning.
  • The school will be better equipped to know what areas to target when planning their intervention support.

Academic Assessment Process

Step 1. Before the Assessment

Step 2. Live Assessment (1.5–2 hours)

Step 3. After the Assessment

Academic Assessments

£400

For children aged 5-7
A comprehensive assessment of a child’s academic abilities