About Dyslexia

How do you recognise dyslexia?

Dyslexia is often identified in primary school; however, some people’s coping strategies are so good that the dyslexic difficulties don’t become apparent until much later.

See Signs of dyslexia – British Dyslexia Association where it says that there is a misconception that dyslexia just affects the ability to read and write. If this were true, it would be much easier to identify.  In fact, dyslexia can have an effect on areas such as coordination, organisation and memory.

Each person with dyslexia will experience the condition in a way that is unique to them and as such, each will have their own set of abilities and difficulties.

However, if you know what to look for, there are common signs that can help you to identify whether the difficulties being experienced could be indicative of dyslexia.  This could suggest that further investigation might be beneficial.

Is dyslexia hereditary?

Dyslexia often runs in families, and studies show a strong hereditary component, although not all cases are inherited.  Dyslexia affects the performance of the neurological system (specifically the parts of the brain responsible for learning to read).

Dyslexia – NHS

What are the first steps in helping your child?

All schools must publish information on what provision is available for pupils with SEND.  In addition to their SEN Policy, there must be an annual SEND Information Report (sometimes combined in a single document), available on the school’s website.

If you suspect that your child may be dyslexic, then your first step should be to consult your child’s teacher or the school’s Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO) to discuss your concerns.

Further details at Support for Children and BDA Guide for Parents

Get in touch with us if you need extra support.

How to get an assessment?

For school aged children see: Does my child need a diagnostic assessment?

For adults see:  How can dyslexia be identified?

See our Tutors & Assessors section to find an assessor.

Assessors can assess and produce reports which help families to seek appropriate help in schools.  You can contact assessors directly; you do not need to have a referral from your child’s school, but you should work with them as much as possible.

Please note that the Wiltshire Dyslexia Association does not recommend any specific individual.

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.

How are dyslexic pupils supported in Wiltshire?

The Special educational needs and disability code of practice: 0 to 25 years

states that “Every school is required to identify and address the SEN of the pupils they support. They MUST use their ‘best endeavours’ to make sure that a child with SEN gets the support they need.” (Chapter 6.2)

(The SEND: guide for parents and carers is a much shorter summary.)

Given that schools must identify need, they should have a process in place by which young people are ‘screened’ for dyslexia.

This guide provides information about how dyslexia is identified and supported in Wiltshire:  Wiltshire_Council_Dyslexia_Leaflet

The Specialist SEN Service (SSENS) provides advice, support and training for schools in Wiltshire.

See also SSENS resource page | Right Choice which includes free literacy screening and support resources (WESforD).

Dyslexia friendly schools in Wiltshire:

• Dyslexia-Friendly-Schools
• Dyslexia Friendly Quality Mark Holders – Schools – British Dyslexia Association

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.

What is Visual Stress?

Some people experience visual disturbance or discomfort when they read, especially black text on white backgrounds.  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.

Useful links: Visual difficulties | Crossbow Education | Visual Stress | Dyslexia resources