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What is Dyslexia?
Dyslexia is a widely known term, increasing in popularity. However, overuse of the term can lead to confusion around what Dyslexia actually means. Below we explain what Dyslexia is, to help you identify whether you feel your difficulties align with a Dyslexia diagnosis:
Dyslexia is a life-long form of Specific Learning Difficulty, primarily concerned with problems in areas of learning such as reading, writing and spelling. It is important to note that Dyslexia is not related to intelligence.
Individuals with Dyslexia have unique profiles of strengths and weaknesses, with no two individuals the same and the impact of Dyslexia on each is different. People with Dyslexia may experience great difficulty with certain areas of their learning, whilst in other areas they excel.
It is estimated that up to 10% of the UK population experience Dyslexic type difficulties, with no age discrimination.
If you feel that yourself, your child or someone you know may have Dyslexia and will benefit from an assessment, please do not hesitate to give our team a call.
The Benefits of having a Dyslexia assessment
A diagnosis is the first step towards unlocking an individual’s potential. It provides clarity surrounding one’s struggles, helping to identify their strengths, along with areas of difficulty. It can provide relief to those who might have felt frustrated or inadequate due to their struggles, leading to a better understanding of their learning profile, reducing anxiety and boosting academic self-esteem.
The assessment will provide a clear understanding of an individual’s specific challenges and strengths. Our Registered and Chartered Psychologist will make recommendations, such as extra time in exams and reasonable adjustments within the workplace (where applicable). This allows employers, educators and parents to develop a roadmap for effective learning, including appropriate teaching strategies, accommodations and access to resources to support the individual’s learning needs.
The assessment will also provide feedback on areas for further development, as well as highlighting particular areas of strength.
Following an assessment and with the right support in place, individuals with Dyslexia can perform better academically and are more likely to succeed in their educational and career endeavours.
What does the assessment entail?
The purpose of a Dyslexia assessment is to ascertain one’s intellectual strengths and weaknesses, as well as their attainment in literacy and numeracy. The resulting data, along with other qualitative information concerning an individual’s learning style, is used to produce a Cognitive and Learning Behavioural Profile, which will help to inform how their learning needs might best be supported in the future.
A full comprehensive assessment can take between 2.5-3 hours (depending on the client's ability) and involves administering a series of structured psychometric tests by the Psychologist to establish the individual’s cognitive ability and learning style. Examples of the areas tested include; both verbal and non-verbal skills, memory, processing speed and performance in literacy, numeracy and written language skills.
Personalised recommendations and reasonable adjustments for educational and workplace support will be included based on the results of the assessment, detailed within the report.
Following test administration, results will be interpreted by the Psychologist to produce a highly informative and detailed report which is in accordance with the Specific Learning Disability (SpLD) Working Group 2005/DfES Guidelines.
The fully comprehensive educational report will be completed and made available within an agreed time frame.
Due to start at University?
As many new students begin to embark on their University courses during September, those who struggle with their learning may find the transition to University challenging.
That’s why at ACPAS, we understand the importance of identifying any difficulties with learning associated with Dyslexia as early as possible. It is crucial that students are well-prepared and provided with any learning support they may require, in order to flourish within their course.
We have included a Dyslexia Screening Checklist, compiled by the British Dyslexia Association. If you feel that you may have Dyslexia, have a go at this simple test. All you need to do is complete the checklist and add up your score.
If you scored 45 or higher, please contact us with any enquiries for a Dyslexia assessment. Our friendly team are here to help!
Wondering how you can support a friend, colleague or relative with Dyslexia?
The ACPAS team have created a poster showcasing some of the ways you can help support someone you know with Dyslexia. We hope you find it useful!
Costs available upon request.
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