Question 1

What is involved in an assessment?

Accepted Answer

A full diagnostic report includes a range of comprehensive assessments which can identify strengths and weaknesses in learners, as well as identifying dyslexia if present or not. The process includes collating background information, consisting of questionnaires to be completed prior to the assessment by both parents and teachers.

The actual assessment takes appropriately three hours, depending on the child and the number and length of breaks required. After breaking the ice with some warm up questions, as well as a self-assessment, the areas assessed include: visual and verbal underlying ability, phonological awareness, phonological processing, memory, reading, writing and spelling.

Once the assessment has been carried out you will be provided with a full and comprehensive report, with personalised recommendations, which you will receive within 15 working days of the assessment.

A personalised letter for your child is also included, explaining the findings in an age appropriate way.

Question 2

What are your qualifications and experience?

Accepted Answer

I have an up to date Assessment Practicing Certificate, (APC) which is the requirement for a dyslexia assessor.

Other qualifications include:
Level 4 CPD Award in Perspectives on Dyslexia – September 2013
Post Graduate Certificate in specific learning difficulties (Level 5 and Level 7) – Dyslexia – Bath Spa University – Feb 2017
Post Graduate Certificate in Vulnerable learners and Inclusion (Level 7 / 90 Masters credits) – Bath Spa University - 2018
National Award for SENDco – (Level 7) Bath Spa University – 2018
Dyscalculia training day from Judy Hornigold and Dr Steve Chinn – February 2019
APC BDA – 24 /APC06102 24.7.24 – 12.7.27
AMBDA - M40006 – June 24

Other experience:

Nearly thirty years of teaching experience, with a range of year groups and roles
A mum of two children with SEND - dyslexia and more complex SEND needs
Four years working for the British Dyslexia Association, as a tutor on their Level 5 SpLD (dyslexia) course training teachers and SENDCos to be dyslexia specialists
Written and published webinars and course content on multisensory tuition for the BDA
Established a summer school, called Summer’s Cool, which ran very successfully for four years. The ethos of the school was to use a multisensory approach to fully engage learners and aid memory.
DBS
Co-written several chapters for the book "Teaching Dyslexic Students, theory and practice" with the BDA.

Question 3

How much does it cost?

Accepted Answer

The cost of a full assessment is £450, which is made payable on the day of the assessment, through cash or bank transfer. The report will not be sent until payment is received.

Question 4

What’s the difference between a screener and a diagnostic assessment?

Accepted Answer

Screener
A screener is a useful tool that can tell you the likelihood of having something, such as a mammogram or a smear test, which can then lead to having further diagnostic tests. They can be a useful tool to see how likely it is that someone has dyslexia. However, they can be brief or inaccurate and do not diagnose dyslexia.

Diagnostic assessment
A diagnostic assessment is a full and comprehensive assessment, that takes several hours and is the only way of knowing whether someone does or does not have dyslexia. Not all assessments result in a diagnosis of dyslexia.

Question 5

What are the pros and cons of a full diagnostic assessment?

Accepted Answer

Pros
It’s the only way of knowing whether someone has dyslexia or not 
Gives everyone a better understanding of a learners’ strengths and difficulties
It can be a very positive experience for the young person to know and understand why they find things so difficult (with can help with their metacognition)
It provides you, the school or tutors with personalised recommendations
If there is a complex profile of need then it can contribute towards further evidence for an EHCP application.
It may be needed to access additional support at university

Cons

It can be expensive, so may not be available to everyone
It does not guarantee additional support for the child in school
An assessment does not guarantee a diagnosis
Schools should be teaching to need and not diagnosis (SEND Code of Practice 2015)
It takes approx. three hours to do with the child so can be very intense process
For GCSEs schools will need to make their own access arrangements, so a diagnosis is not necessary in order to access arrangements for exams
There is no magic cure as it is lifelong difficulty

Lucy Fletcher Dyslexia Assessor

Frequently Asked Questions

What is involved in an assessment?

What are your qualifications and experience?

How much does it cost?

What’s the difference between a screener and a diagnostic assessment?

What are the pros and cons of a full diagnostic assessment?