Assessment FAQs

How do I know which assessment I need?

I want to get my child tested but the school say he/she is not bad enough

How do I know which Assessment I need?

If you need proof of your dyslexia to show to an organisation such as a college, school, grants department etc. then it I most likely that you will need a full assessment and report by an Educational Psychologist, but we advise that you first confirm this by asking the relevant organisation what standard of proof they require. If you are at school or likely to be involved in a legal issue we suggest the educational psychologist assessment option is most suitable. Legal assessments and reports are more expensive.

If you are an adult who wants to confirm your own suspicions that you have dyslexia then a verbal report by a specialist teacher may well be adequate however we would recommend that you have a report with your assessment in case you ever need to confirm your dyslexia to anyone e.g. you are discriminated against in the workplace because of your dyslexia.

I want to get my child tested but the school say he/she is not bad enough

Where you have raised your concerns with the school and requested an assessment the school should follow a procedure of steps called the Code of Practice. This staged process is designed to determine whether an assessment is suitable and can take up to two years.

Make regular meetings with the school to check on your child’s progress through the stages of the Code of Practice. Keep a file of all correspondence and outcomes. When you finally get an appointment with the psychologist insist that the assessment is a full WISC with all sub-tests and a written report that is explained and includes practical recommendations.

Remember that there are great pressures on school resources and the time allocated to the school psychologist is often insufficient to meet all their needs. Teachers want the best for their students but do not always know much about dyslexia and there are still a few dinosaurs who do not believe in dyslexia! Find out as much as you can about dyslexia, ensure the class teacher knows what they can do to help your child, try to resolve any differences amicably but firmly and if you are still coming into conflict seek advice from a local support group or national advice line. You could also write directly to your Local Education Authority requesting that they assess with a view to preparing a statement that will allocate funding for additional support.

There is a legal duty on the school to educate your child and where they have failed to do this several schools have been sued in the courts for compensation. If you believe this is the case then you may wish to contact a legal adviser.

How can I get a free assessment?

While at school there are legal duties on the system to meet an individuals educational needs but once you have left full-time education there is no automatic right to assessment or support.

Students can still apply for discretionary grants and most colleges have support staff that will be able to give you more advice.

Where financial hardship prevents you from getting a private assessment you could apply to a charity for funding. A list of specialist charities is often held in the library. If you are unemployed you may be able to get assessment and re-training funded by the job centre. If you are employed you may be able to get your employer to support you.

Can I be assessed by my Dr?

Doctors can refer you to a clinical psychologist for assessment. They may be reluctant to do this as the surgery often has to meet the cost and there is usually a long waiting list. There is currently no legal duty on your Doctor to refer you for such an assessment.