Dyslexia
What is Dyslexia?
Dyslexia is a specific learning difference that primarily affects the acquisition of reading, spelling and writing. It is linked to how the brain processes information and is not related to intelligence.
Children with dyslexia often think and learn differently, and difficulties with literacy can persist despite appropriate teaching and support.
Dyslexia is a lifelong, neurodevelopmental difference and can range from mild to more significant, sometimes occurring alongside other learning differences.
How can an Educational Psychologist (EP) assessment help?
If your child is finding reading, spelling or writing particularly challenging, an assessment can provide a detailed and in‑depth understanding of their learning.
The assessment explores your child’s thinking (cognitive) skills to build a clear profile of how they learn, alongside a diagnostic decision for dyslexia.
Importantly, the assessment identifies your child’s strengths and needs, explains how these impact learning, and provides practical recommendations to help inform effective support at home and in school.
Our Services
Dyslexia Assessment
Assessments for dyslexia are held at Litfield House and carried out by an HCPC registered Educational Psychologist.
Before the assessment, we gather information on your child via a pre-assessment form from yourself.
Once the assessment is confirmed, with your agreement, a pre-assessment form is sent to your child’s school or educational placement to find out about their learning in school.
On the day of the assessment, the educational psychologist will carry out individual work with your child to find out more about their strengths and needs. This will include a cognitive assessment.
Findings can be used to identify specific learning difficulties (e.g. dyslexia, processing difficulties or dyscalculia when carried out alongside a mathematics assessment).
The assessment will take around 2 ½ -3 hours and your child will be given breaks as needed. Throughout the assessment it is a priority your child feels comfortable and at ease.
You are welcome to stay at Litfield house during the assessment or if you prefer you can leave to spend time in the local area while your child is working with the EP.
On the same day as the assessment, you will be invited to a meeting to feedback initial assessment results, gain any further views and discuss possible strategies to support your child. This will take around 30-45mins. If you prefer to receive feedback via telephone at a later date that can be arranged.
After the assessment a full report is written and sent to you, providing a summary of key findings including recommendations for support. You are of course welcome to share the report with your child’s school and other professionals.