GETTING CLARITY
DYSLEXIA ASSESSMENTS
Introduction to a Dyslexia Assessment
A Dyslexia First assessment provides a detailed, supportive understanding of how an individual thinks, learns and processes information.
Whether you’re seeking clarity for yourself, your child or a member of your team, our specialist diagnostic assessments explore strengths as well as the areas that may be making reading, writing or organisation more challenging.
Each assessment is carried out by a qualified dyslexia specialist and includes a full written report with practical recommendations, so you can move forward with confidence and the right support in place.
All dyslexia diagnostic assessments are validated and approved by the Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ) and the SpLD Assessment Standards Committee (SASC).
What is in a dyslexia assessment report?
A comprehensive dyslexia report will include some or all of the following:
- A review of the individual’s background.
- A comprehensive analysis of cognitive abilities, literacy skills and underlying ability.
- A detailed analysis of strengths and weaknesses.
- Recommendations for coping strategies.
- The recommendations will be tailored to the needs of the person assessed.
- A report which will be written in a clear, jargon-free style so that it can be easily understood.
What can I use the dyslexia assessment report for?
- Your comprehensive report is a powerful document that will help you, or your child, live life to your full potential.
- The diagnosis of dyslexia is recognised under the Equality Act 2010 and will open doors allowing the individual to reach their full potential.
- Adults undergoing assessment are entitled to reasonable adjustments in the workplace.
- University Students will be able to use the report to apply for the Disabled Students Allowance (DSA).
- A diagnostic report will help schools to ensure that the pupil’s needs are being met, either through appropriate differentiation or individual support
Approved dyslexia assessor
In the vast majority of cases for GCSE and A’ level exams, short assessments are handled in-house from year 9 onwards. Sometimes this isn’t possible so the school would have an established working relationship with external educational psychologists and specialist teacher assessors and can advise families on who to approach whilst following the regulations set by JCQ.
Michala regularly assesses and is on the SASC Approved Assessors list for common entrance and GCSEs/A’ levels exam access arrangements and am on the list of approved assessors for many schools and colleges in the following areas:
- Greater Manchester
- Lancashire
- Cheshire
- Liverpool
- St. Helens
- Wigan
- Warrington
If you would like to add Michala to the list at your school, please get in touch.
Frequently Asked Questions
Before the assessment background information will be collated via questionnaires. This will help the assessor to establish a picture of need and this will also help to explain an individual’s strengths and weaknesses.
The assessment looks at the individual’s
- Verbal ability
- Non verbal ability
- Phonological Memory
- Phonological Awareness
- Phonological Processing
- Literacy skills
- Verbal Working Memory
The possible co-occurrence of associated specific learning difficulties such as Dyspraxia/ DCD (Developmental Coordination Disorder), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) or Visual Difficulties may also be noted but these will require further investigation by an appropriate professional.
A dyslexia assessment could take up to three hours to complete as the assessor will go at the pace of the child/adult.
Like most tests, the assessment will be in a quiet place with a table, free from distractions and disturbances.
The Dyslexia Assessment Age is from 8 years or older. This allows time for literacy skills to develop naturally and reduces the risk of misdiagnosis.
We work with schools and colleges in
- Greater Manchester
- Lancashire
- Cheshire
- Liverpool
- St Helens
- Wigan
- and Warrington