What can you expect if you book for an assessment?
According to the Rose Report of 2009, the characteristics of dyslexia are difficulties in phonological awareness, verbal memory and verbal processing speed. The British Dyslexia Association (2010) states that dyslexia is a specific learning difficulty which mainly affects the development of literacy and language related skills. It is characterised by difficulties with phonological processing, rapid naming, working memory, processing speed, and the automatic development of skills that may not match up to an individual’s other cognitive abilities. As such, all of these areas need to be explored and evaluated during an assessment.
During a diagnostic assessment, you can expect to undergo several short tests in these areas:
- visual and verbal underlying abilities
- working (short-term) memory
- processing speed
- phonological processing
- attainments in literacy, such as reading, writing and spelling
The results of these tests will help to decide if your strengths and areas of difficulty match the definitions of dyslexia, however, test results do not provide the whole picture. We will ask you about your early development and family history, as well as your experiences in education, as a learner who may excel with some learning approaches but really struggle with others. We will gather information from school or college and from parents if required.
The possible co-occurrence of associated 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.
The assessments usually take up to 3 hours to complete, and breaks are offered throughout.
As they are a ‘snapshot’ of a learner’s ability and skills, no preparation or revision is required. They can be conducted in school or college, in the learner’s home, in our home office based in Ormskirk, or even remotely.
A thorough and detailed report will be completed following the assessments and will be sent within 14 days. If appropriate, the report will include a diagnosis of SpLD dyslexia with supporting evidence. The tests detailed above really help to get ‘inside’ the mind of a learner and to understand what someone is struggling with, why they have always had these difficulties and how they can be supported in the future. They also show a learner’s strengths in great detail, and our feedback can often boost self-esteem and help people recognise that, although they may have always struggled in school and in life so far, they have talents and skills that they might never have recognised before.
Our reports also provide strategies for class and subject teachers. If appropriate, specialist teaching such as one to one and small group intervention will be recommended. There are strategies for parents to help with homework, and most importantly, the individual assessed will hopefully start to understand their difficulties and how to utilise their strengths.
The assessments usually take up to 3 hours to complete, and breaks are offered throughout.
As they are a ‘snapshot’ of a learner’s ability and skills, no preparation or revision is required. They can be conducted in school or college, in the learner’s home, in our home office based in Ormskirk, or even remotely.
A thorough and detailed report will be completed following the assessments and will be sent within 14 days. If appropriate, the report will include a diagnosis of SpLD dyslexia with supporting evidence. The tests detailed above really help to get ‘inside’ the mind of a learner and to understand what someone is struggling with, why they have always had these difficulties and how they can be supported in the future. They also show a learner’s strengths in great detail, and our feedback can often boost self-esteem and help people recognise that, although they may have always struggled in school and in life so far, they have talents and skills that they might never have recognised before.
Our reports also provide strategies for class and subject teachers. If appropriate, specialist teaching such as one to one and small group intervention will be recommended. There are strategies for parents to help with homework, and most importantly, the individual assessed will hopefully start to understand their difficulties and how to utilise their strengths.
We liaise with schools and colleges before assessments take place so that we can support with Exam Access Arrangements
And if appropriate, the assessments can provide evidence for extra time or reading and writing support in exams.
We attend annual training on Exam Access Arrangements and Reasonable Adjustments to ensure that the Joint Council for Qualification (JCQ) regulations are followed. Read about the JCQ regulations here: https://www.jcq.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/AA_regs_22-23_FINAL.pdf
All diagnostic dyslexia assessments and reports adhere to current SASC guidelines. See http://www.sasc.org.uk/ for further details.
An Assessment Practising Certificate (APC) recognises the knowledge, skills and competences of an assessor, and confirms qualifications and professional practices are appropriate and up to date. Your dyslexia diagnosis has no ‘end point’ and the report does not go ‘out of date’ when written by a holder of an APC.