Understanding your child’s needs
Many parents worry when their child struggles with reading, writing or spelling, despite extra help at school. Dyslexia doesn’t just affect reading. It can also affect how children organise and structure written work, leading to difficulties with handwriting, building sentences and getting ideas onto paper.
A dyslexia assessment can explain why these things feel hard, helping children get the right support and regain their confidence in learning.
What happens during a dyslexia assessment?
A diagnostic assessment is carried out by a specialist teacher with an Assessment Practising Certificate (APC), like me, or by a psychologist. It’s a series of structured activities that look at:
- reading accuracy and speed
- spelling and writing
- memory and processing speed
- phonological awareness (how sounds in words are processed)
The assessment is relaxed and child-friendly, with plenty of breaks. Most children find the activities feel more like puzzles and word games than a test. It also looks at any difficulties they have with getting ideas onto paper, organising their thoughts or structuring written work.
How an assessment helps
Confidence. Understanding dyslexia can be a huge relief. Children learn that they’re not alone, and that with the right strategies they can do well.
Support in school. The report gives your child’s school clear recommendations for classroom support and interventions. It can also help school decide whether exam access arrangements, such as extra time, are needed. Those decisions are made by the school under exam board rules, so a report doesn’t guarantee them, but it gives school a clear picture to work from.
Strategies that fit your child. The report includes personalised recommendations for reading, spelling, writing and organisation, and for using assistive technology where it helps.
Take the next step
If your child is struggling with reading, writing or organisation, an assessment could be the first step towards the right support. You can read more about what the day involves on my information for parents page.
Email me at rosie@dyslexiadiscovery.org or send an enquiry to talk through whether an assessment is right for your child.
