Dyslexia in Children
Dyslexia primarily affects the ability to learn to read and to spell. However it is a complex condition and some children have difficulties with getting their thoughts into sequence and producing written work. Many children have difficulties with sequencing and time management. Difficulties with personal organisation are also related to dyslexia. Many children have weaknesses in short term processing so they may forget instructions but have very good long term memory.
Dyslexia is not related to intelligence but due to some very specific differences in how the brain operates. It can be mild or severe and it presents differently in different children. Dyslexia is a life long condition.
About Assessments for Children
For young children prior to the age of six years it is possible to use a checklist to identify typical signs of dyslexia. Adaptions to teaching can then be made; for example, children may need more practice at developing phonics.
Assessments are designed for children aged six to sixteen years and will identify the nature of difficulties and provide a diagnostic written report. We will provide recommendations for support and development to address any identified pattern of difficulties.
Our assessments are carried out by experienced professional psychologists who are fully qualified members of the British Psychological Society and who are registered with the Health Care Professions Council. Assessments will identify a child’s cognitive strengths as well as areas of specific weakness. We also evaluate attainments in English and sometimes mathematics, as well as evaluating other factors such as phonological processing and writing skills. We will consider whether dyslexia is primarily related to phonological deficit and working memory difficulties and/or due to visual processing differences.
The assessment takes up to two hours with up to an additional hour for parent feedback. We will ask you to complete a family questionnaire prior to the assessment. And a school questionnaire should be completed by your child’s teacher or SENCO. The assessment may identify dyslexia or other specific learning difficulties such as dyspraxia or Attention Deficit Disorder - ADD. Assessment may also conclude that no specific difficulties exist but we will always work to address parental concerns through this thorough evaluation of a child’s cognitive skills and attainments. A full written report will be provided with recommendations to identify the way forward as well as information about the nature of your child’s difficulties. The cost of a children's assessment is £450