Specialist Help in Education offers two different types of assessment for dyslexia:-
Dyslexia Screening Assessment
A screening assessment examines all the different skill areas in which dyslexic people often experience difficulties. A screening assessment is quicker than a full diagnostic assessment and can identify dyslexic traits as well as an indication of strengths and difficulties. However, it does not diagnose dyslexia.
The results of a screening assessment, along with background information, can be used to determine whether dyslexia is likely to be present. It includes a short summary of strengths and difficulties and suggests recommendations for school/college/the workplace and home.
A screening assessment can be a useful tool for exploring the possibility of dyslexia, to establish the person’s strengths and challenges and to provide ‘next steps’ for making progress in education or at work. It is followed up with a short report which is personalised to take into account the age of the child, young person or adult as well as their stage of education or their working environment.
Screening assessments can be administered from around the age of 6 years, two years before a full diagnostic dyslexia assessment can be considered.
Full Diagnostic Dyslexia Assessment
A full diagnostic dyslexia assessment examines numerous skill areas in which dyslexic people can experience challenges to establish strengths and difficulties. It examines general ability, different types of reading including single word reading, reading comprehension, reading speed, accuracy and fluency, expressive and receptive language, spelling and writing, working memory, speed of processing and other areas. It also considers background history, and builds evidence using accounts from the child, young person or adult as well as their parent/carer (where appropriate) and their school, college or workplace.
A full diagnostic dyslexia assessment can be administered from the age of 8 years.
The diagnosis decision is based on evidence from a variety of sources, and is not only based on the scores and information obtained on the day of the assessment. It is important that background information is provided and that the educational establishment or workplace contributes in order to provide a balanced and holistic body of evidence.
A full diagnostic dyslexia assessment can diagnose dyslexia and/or other difficulties. if difficulties are found which Specialist Help in Education does not diagnose, advice and recommendations for referrals to appropriate agencies and services can be made.
A full diagnostic dyslexia assessment includes a substantial report which includes detailed analysis of the person’s strengths and challenges in each of the areas assessed. It will also provide
Assessment reports following a full diagnostic dyslexia assessment, in the case of dyslexia being diagnosed, are valid for the life of the assessee and may be used for applications for Disabled Student Allowance (DSA) for those attending higher education courses (post-18).
Specialist Help in Education holds an up-to-date Assessment Practising Certificate (APC).
Disclaimer: It ought to be pointed out that a full diagnostic dyslexia assessment does not automatically guarantee a diagnosis of dyslexia and that initial conversations and evidence can help to establish whether an assessment is recommended based on information provided. Whether dyslexia is diagnosed or not, a thorough report will follow an assessment, and will aim to provide a detailed summary of the child, young person or adult’s strengths and weaknesses together with suggestions for next steps.
Recommendations provided in a full diagnostic dyslexia report and in a dyslexia screening report are not legally enforceable and decisions with regards to recommendations are at the discretion of the school, college or workplace.
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