ASSESSMENTS
Dyslexia can affect different learners in different ways, and as such, there is no single test that can identify dyslexia. To complicate matters, dyslexia can often co-occur with other difficulties, such as dyspraxia (difficulties with motor co-ordination) and attention difficulties. Some learners may find it affects their reading ability, others may be strong readers but have trouble with spelling and writing.
A full diagnostic assessment is made up of a number of different tests and activities that look at the individual skills required to learn; ranging from cognitive ability (underlying skills such as memory, visual processing, the ability to think, reason and understand), general ability and tests of attainment (reading writing, spelling and numeracy). During an assessment observational data is also acquired, and this, along with background information acquired from home and school, is used to build up a complete profile of the learner.
Assessment has a number of benefits:-
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It helps to gain a full understanding of the learner
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It identifies their strengths and weaknesses
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Information gathered can be used to inform teaching strategies
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It can support the application for access arrangements in exams
In addition, the psychological benefits can also have a huge impact on learners who struggle with anxiety and low self-esteem. Many people report feeling a sense of relief, finding out there is a genuine reason why they find certain tasks difficult, that others appear to find easy.
A full diagnostic assessment usually takes 2-3 hours (this can be split into two sessions for younger learners or those struggling with attention difficulties) and results in a printed report detailing the findings of the assessment, recommendations for support and (if applicable) a clinical diagnosis.
In addition to diagnostic assessments, I also offer dyslexia screeners (to investigate the likelihood of dyslexia or a specific learning difficulty) and to see if a full assessment is warranted. These are less detailed and an affordable way to test the water, to see if a diagnostic assessment is warranted.