Support for Children

Does my child need a diagnostic assessment?

Teachers are required to identify and address the needs of the pupils they support regardless of diagnosis.  It is not necessary to have a dyslexia diagnosis for intervention to occur, including access arrangements in exams.

Checklists and screening tests can help to give an indication of possible dyslexic difficulties.  They are delivered by computer or carried out by a teacher. Although they don’t provide a formal diagnosis, they can help to outline someone’s strengths and weaknesses and can help to inform a supportive teaching strategy.

Here are a couple of examples of computer tests available online:

Testing and Screening | Nessy – includes a free questionnaire for 5-7-year-olds.

Neurodivergent Tests for Children | Do-IT Profiler (doitprofiler.com)

A pupil does not need a diagnosis of dyslexia to receive exam access arrangements when taking SATs, GCSEs and A Levels, etc.

A diagnosis of dyslexia will not mean automatic exam access arrangements.  It is the evidence of the student’s needs in their normal learning situation which is most important.  Schools are responsible for assessing for exam access arrangements and must abide by the regulations updated by the JCQ annually.

Exam Access Arrangements – British Dyslexia Association (bdadyslexia.org.uk)

How much does an assessment cost?

Costs for assessments vary depending on where you live, who is doing the assessment and what type of assessment is being done. The cost is usually several hundreds of pounds and can vary from about £400 to £700.

An assessment carried out by an Educational Psychologist would probably cost more.

The Wiltshire Dyslexia Association does not provide assessments, however you can visit our Tutors & Assessors section to find contact details for an assessor.

Is there any funding available for assessments?

Usually there isn’t any direct funding for diagnostic assessments. Generally, assessments must be paid for by the individual, parent, or employer.

As dyslexia and dyscalculia are not medical conditions, a diagnostic assessment is not covered by the NHS.  Details at Dyslexia – NHS

Sometimes organisations such as the British Dyslexia Association, or Helen Arkell Dyslexia Charity, offer discounts or bursaries to help with assessment costs.

For children and young people, Local Authorities may fund an assessment if it is part of an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) process.  However, this is not guaranteed and often depends on the severity of need and local policy.

For students in higher education, the Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) can fund support after a diagnosis, but not the initial assessment itself.  However, some universities offer financial help toward the cost of a diagnostic assessment for eligible students.

Local charities can occasionally offer financial support.

Does a school have to acknowledge independent assessments?

Schools should accept any report by an appropriately qualified professional, regardless of source.  If that professional identifies a difficulty that has a ‘significant impact’ on the child’s life, then the Equalities Act (2010) makes it very clear that the school must not treat that child unfavourably compared to another child and that they must put in place ‘reasonable adjustments’ (e.g. a reader in an exam) such that the child is not treated less favourably than others.

To ignore findings of significant impact and not take reasonable steps is, in the definition of the law, discrimination. If the findings suggest below average capability of functioning (in any aspect), the school has a statutory duty to do something.

How can I help my child with their reading?

Parents and Carers – Barrington Stoke

Barrington Stoke specialises in publishing high-quality books that are dyslexia-friendly and employ a ‘hi-lo’ approach, meaning they offer high-interest content tailored for lower reading levels. These books are designed to engage reluctant and struggling readers, including those with dyslexia, by providing age-appropriate stories with modified text and layouts.

How can I encourage my child to read and like books?… (dyslexia-assist.org.uk)

Waterstones Dyslexia Action Guide

RNIB Bookshare – accessible books:  https://www.rnibbookshare.org

How can I help my child with spelling?

Free book download: Impoov yor smelling – The rules of reading & spelling – pdf (website-nessycdn.com

Sir Linkalot – The Future of Spelling

Should my child learn to touch type?

There is debate as to whether touch typing is something that young people should learn. It can make it easier for some people with dyslexia to get their ideas onto paper, but for others it can be a tricky process to learn because of the vulnerabilities in their motor skills.

Touch Typing can help with:

• Enhancing writing speed and efficiency
• Improving spelling accuracy
• Focusing more on content and ideas rather than the mechanics of writing
• Boosting self-esteem and confidence
• Reducing letter and number reversal errors (b/d)
• Improving the connection between sounds and letters
• Organisational skills like
• Improving learning and memory

You can read more about it in these articles: Benefits of Touch Typing | Nessy & Teaching Typing — The Studying With Dyslexia Blog

Examples of touch-typing programmes:
BBC Bitesize – Dance Mat Typing – an introduction to touch typing for children aged 7 – 11 years
Touch-type Read & Spell – TTRS Home subscription (readandspell.com)
EnglishType – Learn To Touchtype – Touch Typing Programmes UK | EnglishType
Achieve Now – Transforming Learning
KAZ: Learn to Type with Dyslexia – SEN touch typing edition (kaz-type.com)

How can I help my child with maths?

Sometimes dyslexia can impact maths because of the challenges children may have in reading questions, or the vulnerabilities they have in their memory profile. Challenges in maths are not necessarily linked to dyscalculia, although it can co-occur with dyslexia.

For further information on maths support, here are some resources.
Dyscalculia – British Dyslexia Association (bdadyslexia.org.uk)
Download our Dyscalculia Factsheet – Child

Maths Explained video tutorials created by Prof Steve Chinn

See also https://www.stevechinn.co.uk/articles.html

www.dyscalculianetwork.com

Available free to schools: Dyscalculia Screener | Online Screening Tool | Numeracy IDL | IDL (idlsgroup.com)

Would assistive technology help my child?

A miniguide to minimising accessibility challenges – Empowering Tech

Nasen has released a free-to-download miniguide aimed at supporting educators and caregivers:  Assistive Technology Miniguide | Nasen

Assistive technology explained – Driver Youth Trust

BDA PowerPoint Presentation
BDA Assistive Technology Accessibility

Posters and Leaflets (callscotland.org.uk
Scanning Pens Ltd
Accessibility tools for neurodiversity – Microsoft Support
Talking Tins – Voice Recorder – Educational Learning Resources

Can coloured overlays help with reading?

Some people experience visual discomfort or disturbance when they read.  This is not the same as dyslexia, but it can co-occur with it.  Black text on a white background can cause visual disturbance. The ‘glare’ causes words to blur or even move on the page.

White light is made up of several colours, each with its own frequency. Some of these frequencies can confuse the brain. Using coloured backgrounds or laying a coloured acetate over a white page can help.

Visual difficulties | Crossbow Education | Visual Stress | Dyslexia resources