Diagnostic Assessment
Diagnostic Assessments are the first step in determining the presence of dyslexia and possible indications of other specific learning difficulties for children aged 7 to 18 years.
Helping you find that missing piece to supporting children and young people to shine and reach their potential.
The main reason for a dyslexia referral is underachievement. A child/young person may be underachieving in the classroom, despite verbally demonstrating good understanding. The difficulties a dyslexic person experiences in the classroom can cause damage to their self-esteem. If a child/young person is dyslexic, it is important that they know, as this reassures them that there is a reason for their difficulty and it isn’t a reflection of their intelligence.
Although it is possible to get an assessment through school in theory, it may be very difficult in practice. Educational Psychologists often have long waiting lists and it can even be a challenge convincing some schools that there is a need for an assessment in the first place- especially considering that dyslexia is a spectrum and every child on that spectrum is different.
Here at Dearne Valley Dyslexia, we understand the frustration parents may feel if schools don’t immediately recognise the signs of dyslexia. We are also aware that some children / young people develop very good ‘coping’ strategies and so dyslexic traits may not show until later in their school career when the work becomes harder. We feel it is very important to listen to parents’ concerns in order to gain a full picture of the child/young person and the difficulties they are experiencing. We also recognise the importance of parents working alongside school in meeting the learning needs of a dyslexic child. The results of a dyslexia assessment/report offer advice and guidance to parents and teachers.
Having a private assessment ensures your child is assessed quickly which means they will get the specialist help, teaching and support they require sooner. We are passionate about finding the missing piece, the underlying difficulties, to unlock the key to a child’s learning and it often comes as a huge relief to parents and children to understand that they are dyslexic.