🌿What Happens During a Dyslexia Assessment?

For many parents, deciding to book a dyslexia assessment comes after months or even years of noticing that something feels harder than it should.

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They may have started by researching the signs of dyslexia in children because their child is bright and capable, but reading, spelling, writing or keeping up with school work seems to take far more effort than expected.

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A dyslexia assessment is not about looking for what is “wrong” with a child.

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It is about understanding their unique learning profile so they can access the right support and begin to make sense of how they learn.

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What does a dyslexia assessment look at?

 

A full diagnostic dyslexia assessment explores different areas linked to learning.

This may include:

• reading skills
• spelling and writing
• phonological processing
• memory
• processing speed
• patterns of strengths and challenges

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The aim is to build a detailed picture of how your child thinks and learns, rather than looking at one score or one difficulty in isolation.

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A good assessment considers the whole child.

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What happens during the appointment?

 

Before the assessment, information is gathered about your child’s development, learning history and experiences at school.

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During the session, your child completes a range of activities using standardised assessment tools.

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Many children actually enjoy parts of the assessment because they get the chance to solve problems, notice strengths and understand themselves in a different way.

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The assessment is not something they can pass or fail.

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It is simply a way of gathering information about how their brain processes different types of tasks.

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What happens after a dyslexia assessment?

 

Following the assessment, you receive a detailed written report explaining your child’s learning profile. This includes:

• assessment findings
• areas of strength
• areas where additional support may be helpful
• recommendations for home and school

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For many families, the most valuable part is finally having an explanation. Children often tell themselves stories such as:

“I’m not clever.”

“I’m just bad at writing.”

“I should find this easier.”

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Understanding their learning profile can help replace those stories with something much more accurate.

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Choosing a dyslexia assessor

 

When choosing a dyslexia assessor, it is important to check that they have appropriate specialist training and qualifications to complete diagnostic assessments.

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A high-quality assessment should not just identify difficulties.

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It should help your child understand themselves as a learner.

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I’m Charlotte MacDougall, a Specialist Teacher, Dyslexia Assessor, former school leader and founder of Nurture & Thrive.

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I provide diagnostic dyslexia assessments for children and teenagers across East Sussex, Kent and Surrey, including Crowborough and Tunbridge Wells.

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My approach combines specialist assessment with a focus on confidence, identity and helping children understand their strengths.

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Book a dyslexia assessment enquiry call

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If you are considering a dyslexia assessment for your child and would like to discuss whether it is the right next step, you can contact me here: Contact Charlotte

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And come and join me on social media here:​