Dyslexia Diagnostic Assessment

If I do not have any availability for assessment please use the PATOSS tutor/assessor index where a qualified colleague will be able to help you. https://www.patoss-dyslexia.org/Tutor-Index-Landing

Diagnostic Assessment and Report for Children Aged 16 and Under

What is a Diagnostic Assessment?

A diagnostic assessment and report provides a comprehensive picture of a person’s cognitive profile and their strengths and weaknesses. It is the only way you can receive a formal diagnosis of dyslexia. If your child is experiencing significant difficulties in their studies in school or at home, a diagnostic assessment can help you clarify what these difficulties are and support you and their teachers with strategies for learning. It helps your child understand why they are experiencing difficulties and can help them to see themselves in a new, positive light.

I always recommend that parents should consult with their child’s class teacher and SENCo about their concerns first before seeking a formal assessment. You may find that your school is already providing intervention or extra support that I would recommend in a report. I also contact the school to ask questions about your child’s learning and attainment in the school setting.

If you need the assessment to apply for Exam Access Arrangements at school (usually GCSEs or A’ levels) you will need to contact the school SENCO (Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator) prior to the assessment. Then I will work with the school or college to support your application. This is a JCQ (Joint Council for Qualifications) requirement. Please note: it is not necessary to have a full diagnostic assessment for Exam Access Arrangements and your SENCo will advise you.

I am a fully qualified assessor holding an Assessment Practicing Certificate (APC) from the Professional Association of Teachers of Students With Specific Learning Difficulties (PATOSS). An APC underpins a specialist teacher’s qualifications and competence to undertake full diagnostic assessments for Dyslexia/Specific Learning Difficulties.

The Six Step Process

STEP 1

Fill in the ‘How can I help’ form on this website here or contact me by email: millainetutor@gmail.com. I will confirm receipt of request and send you a secure link to the online Parent Questionnaire and School Questionnaire.

STEP 2

Fill in the online Parent Questionnaire and press ‘submit’. Send the link for the School Questionnaire to your child’s teacher or SENCO to fill in and submit.

STEP 3

I will read your questionnaire and contact you by email to confirm whether a diagnostic assessment is appropriate. (If it’s not appropriate, I will recommend other professional/s who may be able to help you.) I will contact you with a response within a week of receiving the Parent Questionnaire.

STEP 4

If an assessment is appropriate and you wish to go ahead, I will email arrangements for payment by bank transfer for the non-refundable fee of £550. Once payment is received, I will arrange an assessment meeting with you by phone.

STEP 5

The assessment face-to-face meeting takes between 3–4 hours including short breaks. This may be split into 2 sessions if appropriate for your child. The venue will be in my home office in London SW19. (Please see FAQs below for more information.)

STEP 6

I will send you your Confidential Diagnostic Report as both a hard copy and a digital copy within 3 weeks of the assessment meeting taking place.

Frequently Asked Questions

What do I need to prepare for the assessment?

If we have agreed that an assessment is appropriate for your child, you will need to do the following:

1. Fill in the secure online Parent Questionnaire. (I will send you a link and password).

2. Ensure the completed questionnaire for your child’s teacher or SENCO is returned to me. (I will send you a link and password).

3. Email/post or bring a copy of your child’s last school report to the assessment meeting.

4. Ensure your child has had an eye test in the past 2 years.

5. Please plan ahead and arrive at your allotted time.

What happens during the assessment?

I will make sure your child feels relaxed and happy. We will have an informal chat about things they are good at or feel proud of and their own view of their learning. I will conduct a series of tests and at each point I will explain the procedure clearly in child-friendly language. There is no ‘pass’ or ‘fail’ in any of the tests (it is not like an exam) – they are to identify your child’s individual way of learning.

What kind of tests are they?

They are a series of tests measuring underlying verbal and visual skills, memory, processing speed and reading, writing and spelling ability. Psychometric tests measure things in a standardized way. The results are compared to the normal range of ability for the individual’s age.

How long does the assessment meeting take?

The assessment meeting takes between 3–4 hours including short breaks. This may be split into 2 sessions if appropriate for your child.

Do I stay with my child during the assessment meeting?

I prefer that you do not. I find that children relax more when their parent is not anxiously watching on! You can drop off and collect your child. There are many shops and cafes close by.

At the end of the assessment meeting will I know straight away if my child is dyslexic?

I will not be able to tell you straight away if your child is dyslexic. Time is needed to calculate scores then analyse results. These will then form part of a whole picture of the individual’s profile in order to come to a formal diagnosis, which will be in the finished report. Not every assessment results in a diagnosis of dyslexia but every individual will have a full profile of strengths and weaknesses.

When will I get my report?

Within 2–3 weeks of the assessment meeting taking place.

What will be in the Diagnostic Assessment report?

OVERVIEW
Assessment findings including profile of learner’s strengths and impact of any difficulties. Summary of key recommendations.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION
From home, school/college and other agencies.

COGNITIVE PROFILE
Interpretation of results of tests: underlying ability verbal and non-verbal, memory, phonological processing, processing speed and concentration/attention.

ATTAINMENT PROFILE
Assessment of reading, spelling and writing.

CONCLUSION
Including formal diagnosis of dyslexia if appropriate.

RECOMMENDATIONS
Full list for home and school. Recommendations for access arrangements for examinations if appropriate.

TABLE OF TEST RESULTS
Standardized scores and descriptions.