Assessment
Understanding your child’s strengths and challenges can give them the knowledge and confidence to thrive.
Arrange a conversationFull Diagnostic Assessment
A full diagnostic assessment can be undertaken from the age of 8. I currently provide assessments for children and young people aged 8–16. The assessment provides a comprehensive picture of your child’s experiences, strengths and areas of difficulty. It will help you, your child and their school to better understand their needs and plan appropriate support.
1. Before the assessment
Following an initial conversation with me, you and your child will be asked to complete detailed questionnaires. Your child’s school will also be asked to complete a questionnaire and/or have the opportunity to speak with me.
2. The assessment
I will work with your child face-to-face for approximately 3 hours, completing a range of activities designed to explore areas such as verbal language skills (including vocabulary and comprehension), concentration, working memory, phonological processing and literacy skills. The exact assessment will be tailored to your child and may also include exploration of their underlying ability. I will also observe their learning behaviours and the strategies they use to support their learning.
3. Initial feedback
Within three days of the assessment, I will contact you to briefly discuss my initial findings.
4. Your report and feedback
Your child’s comprehensive diagnostic assessment report will be completed and emailed to you within 2–3 weeks. Once you have received the report, we will arrange a further discussion so I can explain the findings, answer your questions and discuss appropriate recommendations and support.
Cost
£550
plus 45p per mile travel expenses
Frequently asked questions
A diagnostic assessment can provide much more than a diagnosis. It can help a young person understand their individual strengths and difficulties, identify the support and strategies that may help and develop greater confidence and self-advocacy.
Reid and Guise (2019) highlight that assessment can provide valuable self-knowledge, reduce some of the stress associated with dyslexia and help create a more appropriate pathway through school, further and higher education and eventually the workplace.
In short, a diagnostic assessment can help a young person understand how they learn, why some things are more difficult and what can help them succeed.
Current guidelines from SASC recommend that young people should be 8 years or older to take part in a full Diagnostic Assessment.
The assessment includes a range of listening, speaking, reading, practical and written tasks.
Short breaks are provided throughout, with longer breaks for a snack, rest or play as needed.
If completing the assessment in one session is likely to be too demanding, it can be split over two sessions.
How can we work together?
With so many factors to consider, knowing what to do next can feel difficult. Why not contact me for an initial conversation?
Together, we can talk through your concerns, clarify your options and consider what may be best for your child at this time.
Arrange a conversationI hold a current SpLD (Specific Learning Difficulties) Assessment Practising Certificate (APC)
Understanding dyslexia can make a real difference
A diagnosis is not something to fear. It can bring understanding, self-knowledge and a clearer way forward.
Get in touch for an initial conversation
We can talk through your concerns and consider the best way forward for your child.
Arrange a conversation