What is Dyslexia?
Dyslexia is a learning difference that affects how the brain processes words. It can make reading and spelling more challenging, even when a child is taught in the usual way and is doing well in other areas. A key difficulty in dyslexia is working with sounds in words (phonological processing), such as recognizing rhyming words, breaking words into sounds, or remembering spoken information. However, other factors like memory, processing speed, and recognising written patterns (orthographic skills) can also play a role.
How Does Dyslexia Affect Learning?
Children with dyslexia may find reading and spelling slower or more difficult than their peers.
Dyslexia exists on a scale—some children may have mild difficulties, while others find reading and writing very challenging.
It can also impact other areas, like understanding what they read, learning a new language, or even maths.
Dyslexia and Other Learning Differences
Dyslexia often occurs alongside other learning differences, such as:
✔️ ADHD – affecting attention and focus
✔️ Dyscalculia – difficulties with numbers and maths
✔️ Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) – challenges with understanding and using language
✔️ Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD/Dyspraxia) – affecting movement and coordination
At Hampshire Dyslexia, we provide detailed and holistic assessments to understand your child’s unique strengths and challenges, helping them get the right support to succeed.
Signs Of Dyslexia In Children
The attached checklists are a useful tool to help understand whether there is a likelihood of dyslexia, and whether further investigation should take place.
Checklists can highlight your child’s strengths and challenges, but they can’t confirm whether they are dyslexic.
Does My Child Have Dyslexia?
A full assessment is the only way to get a clear understanding of their learning profile and identify why your child is struggling and what identify targeted and specific support to build confidence and success in learning.
How Can You Test For Dyslexia?
Our assessments take a thorough and structured approach. We gather information from different sources to understand the various challenges that may contribute to dyslexia. This helps us build a complete picture of your strengths and difficulties to provide accurate and helpful recommendations. An assessment carefully considers the role of phonological skills, orthographic skills, processing speed, and working memory, and the impact on attainment including word reading, reading fluency, reading efficiency, reading comprehension, spelling, writing etc.
What Qualifications Are Needed?
In line with guidance from the British Dyslexia Association, I have Active AMBDA and an Assessment Practising Certificate (APC). AMBDA stands for Associate Member of the British Dyslexia Association and this indicates a high standard of professional competence in both diagnostic assessment and teaching.
I have up-to-date enhanced DBS clearance and Professional Indemnity Insurance.
I have a PhD from Reading University focusing on supporting children with reading and a MSc from Oxford University focusing on teaching and learning. I am a qualified teacher with a PGCE, and a qualified SENCO with a PGSENCO.
I am a tutor on award-winning training courses for assessors and SENCOs with Real Training and I have previously worked with Patoss as a tutor on their course for Diagnosing Dyslexia.
My previous role was to as professional practice manager with the British Dyslexia Association, to ensure that assessors maintain the highest quality standards for their practice.
How Much Does A Dyslexia Assessment Cost?
£100 deposit is paid on booking, and £450 is paid on the day of the assessment.