My Child's School Says They Can't Diagnose Dyslexia: What Now?

If you've raised concerns and been told the school cannot diagnose dyslexia, it can feel like a door closing. It may mean the school does not have access to a suitably qualified assessor. Some schools do. This guide explains what to ask, what support can begin now and which assessment options you can explore.

Why can't schools diagnose dyslexia?

Schools can identify difficulties and provide support without a formal diagnosis. A formal diagnostic assessment needs to be carried out by a suitably qualified professional. Some schools have access to a qualified assessor, while others may suggest an independent assessment.

Ask whether the school employs or commissions a suitably qualified assessor. If it does, ask about the process and availability. If it does not, the SENCo may be able to explain local authority routes or suggest an independent assessment.

What schools can do

Schools have responsibilities to identify and support children with special educational needs. If your child is struggling with reading, writing or spelling, the school should take steps to understand and address those difficulties. Support does not need to wait for a formal diagnosis.

This means putting additional support in place, monitoring progress carefully, and involving the SENCo in reviewing your child's needs. If the school has concerns about an underlying specific learning difficulty, they should be communicating those concerns to you clearly and signposting you towards next steps.

Additionally, schools can carry out dyslexia screenings, which are brief tools that flag whether further investigation is warranted. A screening is not a diagnosis, but it can be a useful first step and something worth asking your child's SENCo about if it hasn't already been done.

What are your options as a parent?

If the school has told you they can't diagnose dyslexia, there are several routes worth considering depending on your circumstances.

The first is to request a referral through the local authority. In some areas, local authorities fund specialist assessments for children who meet certain criteria. It's worth asking your school's SENCo whether this is an option locally, though waiting times can be lengthy and not all local authorities offer this route.

The first is to request a referral through the local authority.

You can also consider an independent assessment. A report from a suitably qualified professional can help the school understand your child's profile and plan support. Schools, exam centres and universities apply their own evidence requirements. A diagnosis does not guarantee particular support or exam access arrangements.

The third option, if your child is approaching GCSE years, is to speak to the SENCo specifically about exam access arrangements. Whilst a full diagnostic assessment is the most thorough route, the SENCo can in some circumstances, apply for access arrangements using their own evidence alongside school-based assessment data.

What happens after an independent assessment?

A diagnostic report can add detailed evidence about your child's strengths, difficulties and support needs. Share it with the SENCo and ask which recommendations are relevant, how support will be put in place and when progress will be reviewed. Existing support should continue while this is discussed.

The school should consider the evidence alongside its own observations and your child's views. A report can inform support planning. Exam access arrangements are a separate process, led by the school or exam centre under the applicable rules.

Don't be discouraged

If school cannot arrange a diagnosis, ask for a clear explanation of the available routes and a plan for support in the meantime. You can explore assessment options without stopping the support your child already receives.

Your observations matter. Discuss them with the SENCo and review progress together. Where a formal assessment would be useful, it can help explain your child's profile and inform next steps. It is not a prerequisite for school support.

If you decide to look into a private assessment, our child dyslexia assessment page explains what is involved. Mark can assess at home or at school in areas including Sheffield, Wakefield and Peterborough.