An assessment will support a student's learning at all stages of college or university.  The report can be used to support an application for Disabled Students’ Allowances (DSA). To find out more go to https://www.gov.uk/disabled-students-allowances-dsas/overview.

Educational Psychologists are trained to assess for dyslexia in individuals who appear to have a more complex range of possible learning differences, such as Autistic Spectrum Conditions (ASC), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and significant mental health issues. Their professional training allows them to use cognitive ability and attainment tests which are not open to Specialist Assessors.

Educational Psychologists cannot diagnose Autistic Spectrum Conditions (ASC) or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), as these are medical conditions and require assessment by the appropriate health professionals.

An Educational Psychologist's report will include a diagnosis of dyslexia, if appropriate. It will include recommendations for reasonable adjustments, assistive technology and exam access arrangements. It will provide information which helps inform decisions about educational provision, according to the complexities of a student’s learning needs.

Our assessments are interactive with some practical tasks which explore a learner’s memory and processing skills, as well as reading and writing. 

The assessment will explore a student’s:

-        verbal and non-verbal reasoning skills.

-        cognitive processing skills, e.g. memory, phonological awareness and speed of phonological processing.

-        reading, writing and spelling skills.

-        characteristic features of Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD)/Dyspraxia, and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), if appropriate.

Maths skills will not usually be investigated during this assessment.

Assessments take place in a quiet room, free of distractions. There is a short break during the assessment.

Assessments can also take place online.

All assessments allow time after the assessment for discussion. A comprehensive report will be provided within three weeks of the assessment. The report will include:

-        an Overview section which summarises your cognitive profile and the impact any cognitive difficulties may have on your learning. It will include a diagnosis of dyslexia if this is supported by the assessment.  Please note that it is not always possible to diagnose dyslexia. 

- identification of Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD)/Dyspraxia, and the patterns of behaviour and learning difficulties which are the characteristic features of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), if appropriate.

-        a summary of background information from you, including a history of support at school.

-        detailed interpretation of test results.

-        essential recommendations for support in the learning environment and strategies you can develop for your learning, including exam access arrangements, if appropriate.

-        further referral on to other professionals, such as an Occupational Therapist or Speech and Language Therapist, if necessary. 

Assessments cost £962.  We ask that this is paid in full before the assessment.

If you need to pay this in instalments, please let us know and we can book further in advance in order to allow sufficient time to make these payments.

A proportion of the fee that you pay helps us to provide subsidised assessments to lower-income families. This prevents people from being excluded from getting the help they need. Thank you very much for your help and support.  

Please note that when making an enquiry, there is the option for anyone to request bursary support.

Our Educational Psychologists are registered with The Health and Care Professions Council (HADC). Therefore, all our reports can be used for Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) purposes in the future. Each of our Educational Psychologists holds a current Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

Our Educational Psychologists cannot diagnose Autism or ADHD, as these are medical conditions and require assessment by the appropriate health professionals.

If you do make an enquiry for this kind of assessment, we will ask you to complete a/some Questionnaire(s).

If you are younger than 18, please complete the Family Questionnaire and the Year 9-13 Questionnaire. 

If you are 18 or over, please complete the Adult Questionnaire.

You will need to have lived in an English-speaking country and have been speaking English for a minimum of seven years before you can be assessed for dyslexia. You will also need to be able to read, write and spell in English. The tests we use to assess for dyslexia rely on having well-developed English-speaking skills and understanding of an English-speaking culture. If you have not lived in an English-speaking country and have not spoken English regularly for a minimum of seven years before the assessment, the assessment will not be valid.