Dyslexia
Dyslexia is a neurodevelopmental difference and can have a significant impact during education, in the workplace and in everyday life. It can range from mild to severe, and it can co-occur with other specific and developmental learning difficulties. It usually runs in families and is a lifelong condition.
There have been many definitions of dyslexia over the past century and debate continues as to how dyslexia should be defined. Most people however are in agreement with the following definition taken from the Rose report (2009):
- Dyslexia is a learning difficulty that primarily affects the skills involved in accurate and fluent word reading and spelling.
- Characteristic features of dyslexia are difficulties in phonological awareness (ability to recognise and manipulate sounds in sentences), verbal memory (ability to remember information that is presented verbally) and verbal processing speed.
- Dyslexia occurs across a range of intellectual abilities.
- Co-occurring difficulties may be seen in aspects of language, motor co-ordination, mental calculation, concentration and personal organisation but these in themselves are not markers of dyslexia.
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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.
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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. ​​