Frequently Asked Questions
Questions parents often ask before an assessment
How do I know if my child might be dyslexic?
Children with dyslexia may experience difficulties with learning letter sounds, reading unfamiliar words, reading fluently or remembering how to spell words they have previously learned. Some children develop strategies that help them manage these difficulties, meaning that dyslexia may not become apparent until the demands of schoolwork increase.
These difficulties do not necessarily mean that a child is dyslexic, but if they are persistent, it may be helpful to explore them further.
I offer a £99 Dyslexia Screening Consultation for children and young people aged 6–18, helping families explore possible indicators of dyslexia and identify practical next steps.
Can my child be dyslexic even if they can read?
Yes. Dyslexia affects children in different ways, and some develop effective strategies that help them become reasonably fluent readers.
However, reading may still require considerable effort, particularly when encountering unfamiliar words. Some children may read accurately but slowly, while others experience persistent difficulties with spelling, even when their reading appears to be age-expected.
As children progress through school and the demands of reading and writing increase, these difficulties may become more noticeable.
A dyslexia assessment explores a range of literacy and related skills to build a clearer picture of a child’s individual strengths and difficulties, rather than relying on reading accuracy alone.
At what age can dyslexia be diagnosed?
Dyslexia is a lifelong learning difference and can be identified and diagnosed at any stage of life, from childhood through to adulthood. Some individuals are identified during their primary school years, while others may not recognise their difficulties until much later.
For younger children, the SpLD Assessment Standards Committee (SASC) advises that ongoing assessment and targeted support are generally more appropriate than reaching an early diagnostic conclusion, particularly before the age of 8.
In line with this guidance, I offer dyslexia screening consultations for children and young people aged 6–18, and full diagnostic dyslexia assessments for those aged 8–16.
If you’re unsure which option would be most appropriate for your child, I’m happy to discuss your concerns during a complimentary discovery call.
What is the difference between dyslexia screening and a full diagnostic assessment?
A dyslexia screening explores whether a child is showing possible indicators of dyslexia and helps identify areas where further support or assessment may be beneficial. It does not provide a formal diagnosis.
A full diagnostic assessment explores a wider range of literacy and related skills, alongside information about the child’s development and learning experiences, to establish whether dyslexia is present.
My £99 screening consultation includes a written summary of findings and practical recommendations for home and school. A full diagnostic assessment includes a detailed diagnostic report, personalised recommendations and feedback meetings.
If you’re unsure which option is appropriate, I offer a complimentary discovery call to discuss your child’s needs.
How long does a dyslexia assessment take?
A full diagnostic dyslexia assessment usually takes place over two sessions of approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes each.
I build in opportunities for breaks, so I generally allow around two hours for each session. This helps children feel comfortable and gives them time to work at their own pace.
Following the assessment, I analyse the test results alongside my observations of how your child approached the tasks, together with the background information gathered from home and school, before preparing the diagnostic report.
Can my child have a dyslexia assessment at home or school?
Yes. I offer dyslexia assessments at home or school, depending on what is most appropriate for your child.
I am based in Whitley Bay and work with families across North Tyneside, Northumberland, Newcastle, South Tyneside, Sunderland, Durham and surrounding areas.
It is important to me that children feel relaxed and comfortable during the assessment, so we can discuss which setting would work best for your child.
Does my child's school need to be involved in a private dyslexia assessment?
Parents can arrange a private dyslexia assessment without a referral from school.
However, information from school is an important part of the diagnostic assessment process. I ask teachers to complete a questionnaire about your child’s progress, strengths, difficulties and any additional support they have received.
This information helps me understand how your child’s difficulties present in the classroom and contributes to a fuller picture of their learning profile.
Following the assessment, a school feedback meeting is also included, providing an opportunity to discuss the findings and recommendations with your child’s teachers.
Will the assessment tell me if my child is dyslexic?
Yes. A full diagnostic assessment explores your child’s literacy skills and related areas of learning to determine whether the evidence supports a diagnosis of dyslexia.
If dyslexia is identified, this will be clearly explained in the diagnostic report, together with your child’s individual strengths, difficulties and recommendations for support.
If dyslexia is not identified, the assessment will still provide valuable information about your child’s learning profile and practical strategies to support their progress.
What happens if my child isn't diagnosed with dyslexia?
Even when a child does not meet the criteria for dyslexia, a diagnostic assessment can provide valuable information about how they learn.
The assessment may identify particular strengths and areas of difficulty, helping families and schools understand why certain aspects of learning are challenging.
You will still receive a detailed report with practical recommendations for supporting your child’s learning at home and in school. Where appropriate, I may also recommend further investigation of other areas of difficulty.
Does my child need a dyslexia diagnosis to receive support at school?
No. A child does not need a formal diagnosis of dyslexia to receive additional support in school.
Schools should identify and respond to children’s individual learning needs, providing appropriate support and monitoring their progress. This may include targeted literacy intervention, adjustments to classroom teaching or additional resources.
However, a diagnostic dyslexia assessment can provide a more detailed understanding of a child’s learning profile and help identify the strategies that are most likely to support their progress.
Having worked as a Head of SEND, I understand the importance of making assessment recommendations practical and relevant to the classroom.
Can my child get extra time in their Year 6 SATs?
Some children with additional learning needs may be eligible for extra time or other access arrangements in their Key Stage 2 SATs.
Eligibility depends on the child’s individual needs and the relevant assessment guidance. A diagnosis of dyslexia does not automatically mean that extra time will be awarded.
Findings from a dyslexia assessment may provide useful evidence to help the school understand your child’s needs and consider appropriate arrangements.
The school is responsible for applying for and administering access arrangements in accordance with the current guidance.
Does a dyslexia diagnosis automatically qualify my child for extra time in GCSEs or A levels?
No. A diagnosis of dyslexia does not automatically qualify a student for extra time or other examination access arrangements.
Schools and colleges must follow the Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ) regulations. Decisions are based on the student’s individual needs, their normal way of working and the supporting evidence required for the arrangement.
A diagnostic dyslexia assessment may provide useful evidence when a school is considering appropriate examination arrangements.
Alongside my work as a specialist dyslexia assessor, I have many years of experience assessing students for examination access arrangements within schools. This means I understand both the assessment requirements and how appropriate arrangements can support students in examinations.
What happens after my child's dyslexia assessment?
Following the assessment, I carefully analyse the results alongside the background information gathered from home and school.
You will receive a detailed diagnostic report explaining your child’s learning profile, strengths and difficulties, together with personalised recommendations for home and school.
A parent feedback meeting provides an opportunity to discuss the findings and ask questions. Your child will also receive a child-friendly outcome letter and a visual one-page learning profile to help them understand how they learn best.
A school feedback meeting is included, providing an opportunity to discuss the findings and recommendations with your child’s teachers.
I am also available to answer any questions about the report following the feedback meetings.
