Unlocking diagnostic assessments
Our team are available to help you through the process of getting a specific learning difficulty diagnosed
Our simple 3-step process provides comprehensive help with having an assessment for dyslexia or other specific learning difficulty
Free initial 30-minute call to discuss your needs
Diagnostic assessment with a specialist assessor
Follow-up call to discuss next steps
1
Free initial discussion
Firstly, we want you to be sure that having a diagnostic assessment is the best option for you, and so recommend having an initial 30-minute chat with one of our team.
During the call, we can talk through the areas of difficulty that you have been experiencing in order to advise whether they may indicate that you have a specific learning difficulty. Then we can discuss what you want to get from having the assessment, and whether other, better, options may be available for you to think about.
Our aim is simply to provide clear and impartial advice so you can feel fully informed. There is absolutely no obligation following this call to arrange an assessment with us, or to use any of our other services.
During the call, we can talk through the areas of difficulty that you have been experiencing in order to advise whether they may indicate that you have a specific learning difficulty. Then we can discuss what you want to get from having the assessment, and whether other, better, options may be available for you to think about.
Our aim is simply to provide clear and impartial advice so you can feel fully informed. There is absolutely no obligation following this call to arrange an assessment with us, or to use any of our other services.
2
The diagnostic assessment
Following the initial call, if your decision is to proceed with a diagnostic assessment, we can arrange this with our team of suitably qualified specialist teachers.
We charge £599 for this assessment, and ask for 50% deposit to be paid when it is booked in. This charge includes the initial call outlined above, and the follow-up call outlined below. Our diagnostic assessments are carried out remotely, via video call.
Diagnostic assessments take up to four hours and involves a series of tasks that allow the assessor to build a picture of a person's strengths and weaknesses with regard to their cognitive abilities. The tasks measure areas including reading fluency, comprehension, memory and spelling.
Once these tasks have been completed, the assessor then looks for evidence of a profile of specific learning difficulties within the scores. The assessor then writes a report summarising the results of the assessments and any diagnosis that they reveal.Our managers are always ready to answer your questions. You can call us during the weekends and at night. You can also visit our office for a personal consultation.
We charge £599 for this assessment, and ask for 50% deposit to be paid when it is booked in. This charge includes the initial call outlined above, and the follow-up call outlined below. Our diagnostic assessments are carried out remotely, via video call.
Diagnostic assessments take up to four hours and involves a series of tasks that allow the assessor to build a picture of a person's strengths and weaknesses with regard to their cognitive abilities. The tasks measure areas including reading fluency, comprehension, memory and spelling.
Once these tasks have been completed, the assessor then looks for evidence of a profile of specific learning difficulties within the scores. The assessor then writes a report summarising the results of the assessments and any diagnosis that they reveal.Our managers are always ready to answer your questions. You can call us during the weekends and at night. You can also visit our office for a personal consultation.
3
Next-steps call
Once the report has been completed, we will arrange a time to go through the findings with you to make sure that they make sense and to discuss the next steps that you want to take.
For some, having a diagnosis confirmed may be all that was wanted, but for others, it may start a process of accessing additional help and support that we can offer some advice and guidance with
For some, having a diagnosis confirmed may be all that was wanted, but for others, it may start a process of accessing additional help and support that we can offer some advice and guidance with
Start with a free, no-obligation call with our team
More information
A diagnostic assessment is intended investigate whether your difficulties might be due to a specific learning difficulty such as dyslexia, dyspraxia, dyscalculia, or ADHD.
The aim of the diagnostic assessment is not just to provide an individual with a formal diagnosis, but also to explore and understand the person’s pattern of strengths and weaknesses to help identify the best ways to manage any underlying difficulties. A good assessor will always refer you for further testing if they feel that there are indicators of conditions other than specific learning difficulties.
Please note, ADHD can only be identified as a specific learning difficulty by our assessors for educational and workplace purposes only. A medical diagnosis is required to access medication or CBT. A medical diagnosis can be obtained by contacting your GP and asking for a referral to a consultant psychiatrist or other suitably qualified professional.
The aim of the diagnostic assessment is not just to provide an individual with a formal diagnosis, but also to explore and understand the person’s pattern of strengths and weaknesses to help identify the best ways to manage any underlying difficulties. A good assessor will always refer you for further testing if they feel that there are indicators of conditions other than specific learning difficulties.
Please note, ADHD can only be identified as a specific learning difficulty by our assessors for educational and workplace purposes only. A medical diagnosis is required to access medication or CBT. A medical diagnosis can be obtained by contacting your GP and asking for a referral to a consultant psychiatrist or other suitably qualified professional.
A diagnostic assessment takes around 3 hours and includes an in-depth background interview and a range of tasks and tests related to reading, writing, memory and information processing. Additional tests may be used if dyspraxia and / or ADHD is indicated. Your assessor will give regular opportunities to take breaks
Generally, diagnostic assessments have to be paid for privately. They are not available through the NHS and schools do not receive any funding to pay for them. Some universities and some employers may contribute to the cost, but this is often quite rare.
A diagnostic assessment can only be carried out by a certified person qualified to assess. This must be either a:
All of our assessors are registered with a professional body (AMBDA, the Dyslexia Guild or PATOSS). This membership indicates a high standard of professional competence in diagnostic assessment. All our assessors have up-to-date DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check.
- A psychologist specialising in specific learning difficulties registered with the Health Care Practitioners Council (HCPC)
- A specialist teacher/assessor with professional membership of a professional body and who hold a current Assessment Practising Certificate (APC)
All of our assessors are registered with a professional body (AMBDA, the Dyslexia Guild or PATOSS). This membership indicates a high standard of professional competence in diagnostic assessment. All our assessors have up-to-date DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check.
Diagnostic assessments can diagnose ADHD as a specific learning difficulty only. This may be sufficient for accessing additional support in education or work, but it is not suitable for prescribing medication. For that, a medical diagnosis is required, which has to be done by a psychiatrist or psychologist.
We specialise in assessing adults (post-16). Please contact us if the person requiring assessment is under 16.
Adults should have had a sight test within that last two years, and an up-to-date hearing check is helpful.
The diagnostic assessment will be followed by a written report. This report will include qualitative and quantitative information obtained during the assessment. You will be able to see detail about your cognitive profile, areas of relative strengths and relative weaknesses. The report will also include confirmation of any diagnosis.
As well as test results, the report will also include recommendations for: general adjustments at work; appropriate access arrangements for examinations; and resources available to assist you at study or work.
As well as test results, the report will also include recommendations for: general adjustments at work; appropriate access arrangements for examinations; and resources available to assist you at study or work.
No. A screening test is a short test used to give an indication of an individual's strengths and weaknesses and can help identify the likelihood of you having a specific learning difficulty and whether it is worth proceeding with a full diagnostic assessment.
There are many different types of screening tests; some have to be carried out by a trained individual whereas others can be taken online. Please contact us for a free, no obligation screening.
A full diagnostic assessment is required to formally identify dyslexia/dyspraxia/dyscalculia or ADHD as a specific learning difficulty.
There are many different types of screening tests; some have to be carried out by a trained individual whereas others can be taken online. Please contact us for a free, no obligation screening.
A full diagnostic assessment is required to formally identify dyslexia/dyspraxia/dyscalculia or ADHD as a specific learning difficulty.
The APC recognises professional achievement at postgraduate level as well as a commitment to Continuing Professional Development (CPD) solely in relation to assessment.
Assessment Practising Certificates are renewed every three years through an APC awarding body by providing evidence of report writing practice which meets appropriate guidelines and evidence of relevant Continuing Professional Development.
The APC is issued by a SASC (SPLD Assessment Standards Committee) approved professional association. There are currently three APC awarding bodies:
Assessment Practising Certificates are renewed every three years through an APC awarding body by providing evidence of report writing practice which meets appropriate guidelines and evidence of relevant Continuing Professional Development.
The APC is issued by a SASC (SPLD Assessment Standards Committee) approved professional association. There are currently three APC awarding bodies:
- British Dyslexia Association
- Dyslexia Guild
- PATOSS
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