Facts and Questions

Who can assess for dyslexia?

In the UK, dyslexia can be assessed and diagnosed by a Specialist Teacher Assessor or an Educational Psychologist.

Specialist Teacher Assessors are regulated through the SpLD Assessment Standards Committee (SASC). Assessors who hold a current Assessment Practising Certificate (APC) have met recognised professional standards, engage in ongoing professional development, and have their assessment practice regularly quality assured.

You can check whether an assessor holds a current APC by asking for their APC number, or searching the SASC online register of approved assessors.

My current Assessment Practising Certificate (APC) is: 25/APC05090

Should I speak to my child's school before arranging an assessment?

If you have concerns about your child's reading, writing, or learning, it is usually helpful to speak with their class teacher or SENCO first. They can discuss your concerns and explain what support may already be available in school. It can also be helpful to consider how your child has responded to any support or interventions they have received, either at school or elsewhere.

While many children can access additional support without a formal assessment, a diagnosis of dyslexia can only be made through a full diagnostic assessment. This considers a child's developmental history alongside their current and historical educational attainment and performance.

What if my child already has co-occurring difficulties?

Many children and young people with dyslexia have other learning, developmental, or emotional needs alongside their literacy difficulties. These may include Developmental Language Disorder (DLD), Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD, often known as dyspraxia), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), dyscalculia, autism, or emotional wellbeing difficulties such as anxiety.

Your child's individual needs will be prioritised throughout the assessment process. My aim is to help every child feel comfortable, understood, and able to demonstrate their strengths in a supportive and positive environment.

Where a child has more complex or overlapping needs, an assessment with an educational psychologist may be more appropriate. This can be discussed during the initial consultation to ensure the most suitable assessment pathway for your child.

What age do you assess from?

In line with the guidance provided by the SpLD Assessment Standards Committee (SASC), a full diagnostic assessment is generally recommended for children aged 8 years and over. For younger children, a non-diagnostic dyslexia screening may be a more appropriate first step.

What is the benefit of a dyslexia screener?

A dyslexia screening assessment does not provide a formal diagnosis, but it can help identify signs and characteristics of dyslexia and whether a full diagnostic assessment may be beneficial. It is often a helpful first step if you have concerns about your child's reading, spelling, memory, or literacy skills, particularly for younger children.

Before arranging a private assessment, it may be worth checking whether your child's SENCO can provide screening or specialist support through the school or local authority.

If you choose to proceed, the screening assessment takes around 1-2 hours and costs £300. It explores key areas linked to literacy, including phonological awareness (recognising and working with sounds in spoken words), memory, processing speed, and reading, spelling, and writing skills. It also includes a discussion about your child’s educational history, strengths, and any areas of concern.

You will receive a written report within two weeks, summarising the findings, practical recommendations for home and school, and guidance on whether a full diagnostic assessment may be beneficial. The process is supportive, child-friendly, and designed to help you understand the most appropriate next steps.

What is the benefit of a full diagnostic assessment?

A full dyslexia assessment helps build a detailed understanding of how your child learns and may provide a formal diagnosis where the criteria are met. The assessment explores a range of cognitive skills, including language, memory, phonological processing, and processing speed, alongside literacy skills such as reading, comprehension, spelling, and writing. Together, these provide a detailed picture of your child's strengths and areas of difficulty, creating an individual learning profile.

The report highlights your child's strengths and areas of difficulty, helping families and schools understand their learning needs and plan appropriate support. It includes practical and tailored recommendations and strategies for home and school, and may also provide evidence to support applications for reasonable adjustments in education where appropriate 

A full diagnostic assessment costs £600. This includes background information gathering, a 3-4 hour assessment, a detailed written report with personalised recommendations, and a 30-minute follow-up phone consultation to discuss the findings and next steps.

What does the diagnostic report contain?

• A clear diagnostic outcome. 
• A summary of relevant background information from you, your child, their school, and any other professionals involved. 
• An integrated summary of the assessment findings, highlighting your child's strengths and needs in areas such as language, reasoning, memory, processing speed, reading, spelling, and writing. 
• A summary of assessment scores showing how your child compares with others of the same age. 
• Practical, personalised recommendations to support your child at home and school, including advice on interventions, educational transitions, and exam access arrangements where appropriate.
• Where appropriate, recommendations for referral to other professionals if assessment findings suggest possible co-occurring needs.

What if dyslexia is not diagnosed?

A comprehensive report will still be provided, with tailored and practical recommendations to support your child's learning and development. Where other needs are identified, clear guidance, supporting evidence, and appropriate referral recommendations will be included to help families access further support.

What if mathematics also needs consideration?

If mathematics is also presenting as a challenge, mathematical skills can be explored alongside literacy within a diagnostic assessment. Where appropriate, referral for further specialist assessment can be recommended.

Why is an eye test needed prior to assessment?

Many of the activities used during a dyslexia assessment involve reading and close-up visual tasks. An up-to-date eye test helps ensure that any difficulties identified are not related to an unrecognised vision problem. To help ensure the assessment is as accurate as possible, please make sure your child has had an eye test within the last 12 months and bring any glasses needed for reading or close-up work to the assessment.

What else is needed before or during the assessment?

Before the assessment, I will ask you, your child, and their school to complete questionnaires to gather important background information. It is also helpful to provide recent school reports and examples of your child's independent work.

On the day, please bring your child's reading glasses (if needed), their usual writing equipment, and a water bottle if they would like one.

Can the assessment take place in other locations?

Assessments usually take place in my home in East Molesey, Surrey, where there is space for movement and rest breaks when needed. School-based assessments may be possible, subject to the school's policies and availability.

Wherever the assessment takes place, my aim is to provide a calm, supportive environment where your child feels comfortable and able to do their best.

Does a formal diagnosis automatically mean Exam Access Arrangements will be given?

A formal dyslexia assessment is not required to access exam arrangements such as extra time. Decisions are made by your child's school in accordance with Key Stage 2 National Curriculum Tests (SATs) guidance or, for secondary qualifications, the regulations set by the Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ). Your SENCO is therefore the best person to advise on eligibility and the evidence required.

However, a diagnostic assessment can provide standardised assessment data and evidence-based recommendations that may contribute to the evidence considered when applying for access arrangements. It can also help schools better understand a child's learning profile, identify appropriate support, and build evidence of their usual way of working in the classroom.

I am happy to liaise with schools where additional evidence is required to support applications for access arrangements, including the completion of Form 8, where appropriate.

Can your dyslexia reports be used as evidence for DSA (Disabled Students' Allowance)?

Holding a current APC (Assessment Practising Certificate) confirms that I am suitably qualified, maintain up-to-date professional training, and can provide a recognised dyslexia assessment report.

A full diagnostic report provides evidence of a lifelong pattern of dyslexic difficulties and can be used to support applications for Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA) at university, as well as requests for reasonable adjustments in education and the workplace.

Please contact me at craftdyslexia@gmail.com if you cannot find an answer to your question.