Dyslexia assessment process

The dyslexia assessment

An assessment is a useful step to understanding the obstacles that are restricting progress and self-belief. It helps all those involved to have a deeper understanding of how the person learns, processes and understands information.

The assessment can provide an explanation for an individual's difficulties in school, university or the workplace. Based upon the background information, attainment in tests and observations, the assessment will diagnose whether or not the client has dyslexia, resulting in a formal diagnosis. Even if there is insufficient evidence to support a diagnosis of dyslexia, you will receive a detailed report that 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/university/work environment. Recommendations might include referrals to other professionals for further investigation.

A dyslexia 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 comprehension; Spelling; Handwriting speed, clarity and expression.

Based upon the background information, attainment in tests and observations, the assessment will diagnose whether or not the client has dyslexia, resulting in a formal diagnosis. Even if there is insufficient evidence to support a diagnosis of dyslexia, you will receive a detailed report that 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/university/work environment. Recommendations might include referrals to other professionals for further investigation.

The 3 main benefits of a dyslexia diagnosis report are:

• The report will come with many recommendations so that the school, college or university will have specific information on how best to support the client's learning.
• The school, college or university will be better equipped to apply for Exam Access Arrangement support such as extra time, a reader, a scribe etc.
• ​An individual will be entitled to apply for financial support via the Disability Students' Allowance when at college or university.

Age range for assessing dyslexia

Most assessors cover clients between the ages of 7 - 85 years of age. A diagnosis of dyslexia lasts for life and it is not necessary to have another assessment report later in life.

The assessment process

Once you have contacted us to express an interest in an assessment, we will pass your details to an assessor. They will contact you to agree a time and date for the assessment (see below). They will also send you a background questionnaire and invoice for payment. The background information questionnaire will provide details of the remote assessment process and contain instructions for the assessment.

We request that the questionnaires are returned to us at least 24 hours prior to the assessment as they provide background information that will aid the diagnostic decision and guide the recommendations within the report.

24 hours prior to the assessment, the assessor will send you a link to the meeting.

A full assessment typically takes around two and a half hours, including breaks. It consists of a series of standardised tests that will highlight the client’s areas of strength and difficulty. Dyslexia assessments are not 'tests' that give a yes/no answer; they are focused on understanding an individual's abilities and finding positive ways forward. Areas covered are visual and verbal abilities, phonological awareness, working memory, processing speed, reading, writing, spelling and handwriting. Based upon the results of these assessments, along with background information that includes learning history and observations made, a full cognitive profile is obtained.

Equipment that you will need:

• A large tablet, laptop or desktop computer with a strong WIFI signal and suitable microphone, camera and speaker/headphone facilities (Smaller tablets, iPad minis and phones are not acceptable for the testing element of these remote sessions, although it will be useful to have a smartphone to hand).
• A mobile phone in case there are difficulties with the internet connection.
• You must be alone, in a quiet room, during the remote assessment and arrange to not be interrupted. However for clients under 18 years of age, a facilitator needs to be present in a nearby location ready to support with any technical aspects of the remote assessment session. They may need to be available at a time agreed prior to the assessment session for a discussion with the assessor regarding their role.
• Unless instructed by the assessor, you must put away and turn off other smart devices such as a mobile phone or tablet during the assessment. At the end of the session, you will be required to retrieve your phone to take photos of some of your written work. Once these are safely received, we will ask you to delete these photos.
• All assessment content must remain confidential and must not be shared by you with anyone else. You will not record the remote session nor take any screenshots or photos of the testing materials or the assessor. If this is suspected, the assessor will immediately end the assessment and the assessment will be void.
• You will need to have a pad of lined paper and pens available during the assessment.
• If you wear glasses for computer screens and reading, you will need to have them with you and be wearing them during the assessment. If it is your normal way of working to use a coloured overlay or glasses for reading, you will need to have these with you during the assessment.

After the assessment

The assessor will be able to give you some immediate feedback at the end of the assessment. Within three weeks of the assessment you will be sent a password protected copy of the diagnostic report. Further feedback by phone, email or a remote meeting can be arranged if requested.

The dyslexia report

A dyslexia report is a confidential document. As determined under the GDPR, the dyslexia assessment report will be private to the client. In the case of the assesse being a child of 17 or younger, their parents will be sent the report. It is recommended that the client shares the report with relevant parties (schools/universities/the workplace etc).

Contact us for further information.