Full diagnostic dyslexia assessment
£450
Dyslexia Diagnostics & Assessments
A diagnostic assessment is intended to confirm whether an individual has dyslexia or not. It provides a confirmed diagnosis of dyslexia, as well as a clearer picture of the young person’s strengths and weaknesses and their individual cognitive profile.
A diagnostic assessment may be beneficial where a child or young person is experiencing significant difficulties in their study or in day-to-day life and who does not already have a diagnosis of dyslexia or another specific learning difficulty (SpLD).
The aim of the assessment is:
• To assess performance on a range of items, allowing the assessor to consider strengths and weaknesses. This isn’t an exam so there is no “pass” or “fail” - the intention is to help highlight the young person’s individual style of learning or working and what does/doesn’t work for them.
• To collect information about reading, spelling and writing skills.
• To identify whether there is a clear discrepancy between general level of ability and reading and writing attainment.
• To consider other factors which may be affecting learning.
• To identify whether any reasonable adjustments will need to be made in order for a young person to fully access the curriculum and its assessment.
A diagnostic assessment will usually take up to three hours to complete, depending on the circumstances. Up-to-date tests are used which explore aspects of underlying ability, reading, writing and spelling, handwriting and fine motor skills, underlying learning skills such as phonological awareness, speed of processing and memory, speech and language and auditory processing. Please note that I will not be able to provide any diagnostic feedback immediately after the assessment as I will need to calculate the scores that are generated by the tests and analyse the overall profile of performance.
The diagnostic assessment will be followed by a written report. This report will provide evidence of the individual’s dyslexic profile (if the individual has been confirmed as having dyslexia), signposting to other organisations or further assessments for specific learning difficulties (if required), and will include some recommendations about how to support the individual in the context of their study and/or day-to-day life. The assessment report will be sent to the young person’s parent or carer, usually by email, within around 15 working days of the completed assessment. I aim for the report to be a document that the individual is happy to share with family, teachers, tutors and other professionals if they wish, as this will give information on how they can help to provide support.
Please note that if the report from the diagnostic assessment is required as part of an application for Exam Access Arrangements, then under JCQ regulations, I will need to contact the school SENCO before the assessment takes place and the school will need to complete the relevant questionnaire. I would also strongly advise that you discuss this with the individual's school or college prior to the assessment. This is so that the school/college can supply information about the individual's normal way of working within this environment which will ensure that any recommendations for support in exams reflect this.
Dyslexia screening assessment
£150
A dyslexia screening assessment examines some key skills that may indicate whether an individual may be 'at risk' of a dyslexic type profile. Although the dyslexia screener is not able to provide a formal diagnosis of dyslexia, it provides a useful profile of strengths and weaknesses which an be used to guide the development of in-school support; and it can form the basis for important records of development. A combination of computerised, oral and practical tasks are used. A dyslexia screening assessment can take up to 1 hour to complete and 1 week for the report to be sent.
Exam Access Arrangements
£150 - £250
Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA)
£450
Students of any age may require a diagnostic report as evidence for exam access arrangements. Access Arrangements are pre-examination adjustments for candidates based on evidence of need and normal way of working. Access Arrangements allow candidates/learners with special educational needs, disabilities or temporary injuries to access the assessment without changing the demands of the assessment. For example, readers, scribes and Braille question papers. In this way Awarding Bodies will comply with the duty of the Equality Act 2010 to make 'reasonable adjustments'.
Following recent changes to the Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ) guidance for Access Arrangements 2017/18 please be aware of the following:
If your child is in Year 9 or above and you require the assessment that you are booking with to be used as part of an application for Exam Access Arrangements, usually GCSEs or A Levels, e.g. extra time in exams, a reader or a scribe, etc. then it will be necessary for either you or me on your behalf (with your written permission) to contact your child’s school’s Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO) prior to the assessment as this is now a JCQ requirement.
“7.3.6 A privately commissioned assessment carried out without prior consultation with the centre cannot be used to award access arrangements and cannot be used to process an application using Access arrangements online.
The SENCO must complete at least a ‘skeleton’ Section A of Form 8 prior to the candidate being assessed (Section C of Form 8).” JCQ - Adjustments for candidates with disabilities and learning difficulties Access Arrangements and Reasonable Adjustments 2017/18
For individuals thinking about progressing to University you may be able to apply for Disability Students' Allowance (DSA). DSA are Student Finance grants that help to pay for extra Assistive Technology and Specialist Support that you may need as a direct result of your specific learning difficulty.
The Disabled Students' Allowances can help with the cost of Specialist Support, Assistive Technology, etc. In order to apply for this grant you will need an up to date (post-16 years) diagnostic assessment which confirms a specific learning disability such as dyslexia. A DSA assessment can take up to 3 hours to complete and 3 weeks for the report to be sent.
Additional information about DSA and the application process can be found at: http://www.yourdsa.com/FAQ/