Dyslexia assessments for children and young people

Diagnostic dyslexia assessments are normally available from age eight. Assessment at age seven may sometimes be considered where sufficient background evidence is available. Please contact us to discuss whether this would be appropriate.

By age eight, a child has usually had enough formal literacy teaching for the standardised measures used in a diagnostic assessment to give a stable and dependable picture. Before that, it is often more useful to gather evidence from school or their learning setting and see how a child responds to targeted support.

In school, a formal assessment report gives your child's school the specific evidence they need to put targeted support in place. It moves the conversation from general concern to clear action. It also provides the evidence base for exam access arrangements, including extra time, a reader, or a scribe.

At secondary school and sixth form, access arrangements for GCSEs and A levels require current evidence of need. A formal assessment report provides exactly that, and ensures your child is not disadvantaged in high-stakes examinations.

For your child's confidence, a formal identification gives your child a framework for understanding themselves. Many children describe the relief of finally knowing why things have been hard, and the difference it makes to realise they are not lazy, not slow, and not less capable than their peers. Their brain simply works differently.

If your child is preparing for the 11+, difficulties with reading, spelling, processing speed or working under timed conditions may be affecting their performance. A full diagnostic dyslexia assessment can help to build a much clearer picture of your child's strengths and difficulties.

An assessment is not simply about gaining extra time in the 11+. A diagnosis of dyslexia does not automatically mean that access arrangements will be awarded. Each grammar school, consortium or testing authority has its own criteria and application process.

Where possible, it is helpful to arrange an assessment well before the 11+ registration and access arrangements deadlines. Mark assesses children from age 8 and regularly works with bright and able children whose underlying literacy or processing difficulties can be less obvious because they have developed effective ways of compensating.

No. You do not need a referral from school, your GP, or your local authority to access a private assessment. You can contact Defining Dyslexia directly at any time.

Assessments are available for children and young people who are home educated. A school referral is not required, and the assessment process can be adapted when teacher information is unavailable.

A formal diagnosis is not required for a school to support your child. Schools have a legal duty to identify and meet special educational needs regardless of whether a formal assessment has taken place. However, a formal assessment significantly strengthens your position and gives everyone involved a much clearer picture of what your child needs.

If you are pursuing an Education, Health and Care Plan, a formal assessment report provides valuable independent evidence to support that process.