About Dyslexia
Dyslexia is a neurological difference and can have a significant impact during education, in the workplace and in everyday life. As each person is unique, so is everyone’s experience of dyslexia. It can range from mild to severe, and it can co-occur with other learning difficulties. It usually runs in families and is a life-long condition.
It is important to remember that there are positives to thinking differently. Many dyslexic people show strengths in areas such as reasoning and in visual and creative fields.
A Diagnostic Assessment is intended to confirm whether an individual has dyslexia or not. It provides a confirmed diagnosis of dyslexia, as well as a clearer picture of the person’s strengths and weaknesses and their individual cognitive profile.
The Diagnostic Assessment will be followed by a written report. This report will provide evidence of the individual’s dyslexic profile (if the individual has been confirmed as having dyslexia), signposting to other organisations or further assessments for specific learning difficulties (if required), and will include some recommendations about how to support the individual in the context of their study and/or day-to-day life.
There are many reasons why you may decide to have a Diagnostic Assessment to find out whether you, or your child, is dyslexic. Some of the most common are that:
- It can help parents to understand their child’s difficulties and know how best to help them at home, or be able to ask for more targeted support within the education system.
- It can be used to support an application for Exam Access Arrangements (this should be discussed with the school/college first as assessors cannot complete a Form 8 without the school completing part A in advance)
- Students in higher education will need an assessment in order to apply for Disabled Students Allowance (DSA)
- Some Employers find an assessment useful in order to make appropriate reasonable adjustments in the workplace.
Once a person has been formally identified as dyslexic then they are considered to have a recognised disability covered by the Equality Act 2010.
Assessments can take time, so an educational setting/workplace shouldn’t wait for a formal identification of dyslexia before putting additional support in place.
To find out more, or to book a Diagnostic Assessment contact us
Neurodiversity is a relatively new term. It helps to promote the view that neurological differences are to be recognised and respected as any other human variation. It is used to counter negative social connotations that currently exist and to make it easier for people of all neurotypes to contribute to the world as they are, rather than attempting to think or appear more ‘typically’.
Neurodiversity encompasses all specific learning difficulties (SpLD), many of which co-occur or overlap