Dyslexia Assessments
Tunbridge Wells, Kent
We provide in-house Dyslexia Assessments, carried out either via our Psychology-led Assessment service, or our Specialist Teacher-led Assessment service, depending on which diagnostic route you would prefer to explore. Assessments can be provided to children aged 7 years and older (for 18+ please click here).
What is Dyslexia?
Dyslexia is a neurological difference, categorised as a ‘Specific Learning Difficulty.’ Although it primarily affects reading and writing, it does not only affect these skills and many Dyslexic people may have difficulty processing and remembering information they see and hear, which can affect learning and the acquisition of literacy skills. Dyslexia can also impact on other areas such as memory, co-ordination or organisational skills.
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. It can range from mild to severe and can co-occur with other specific learning difficulties. It can run in families and is a lifelong condition.
To find out more about the signs of dyslexia visit the relevant page:
Signs of Dyslexia (in Early Years)
Signs of Dyslexia (Primary School Age)
Signs of Dyslexia (Secondary School Age)
If you suspect that your child may be Dyslexic and would benefit from additional support, 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. The SENCo may decide to carry out screening tests or checklists to find out more about your child’s areas of strength and challenges, in order to see how best they can be supported in the classroom.
Our Dyslexia Assessments our provided in our calm and welcoming therapy rooms, to ensure children and young people feel at ease.
What is the difference between a Psychology-led assessment and a Specialist Teacher-led assessment?
The only way Dyslexia can be formally diagnosed is through a Diagnostic Assessment carried out by a Certified Dyslexia Assessor or a Psychologist. This assessment will tell you if your child is Dyslexic and you will receive a report outlining areas of strengths and weaknesses and a clearer idea of your child’s cognitive profile and how best to support them.
Ahead of the assessment, with your consent, we will also liaise with your child’s school to gain more information about how they manage in the school environment. On the day of the assessment, your child will carry out a range of different tests, in-clinic with either our Psychologist or our Specialist Assessor. This assessment will identify strengths and weaknesses in reading, writing, and spelling and will include an assessment of underlying ability, working memory, processing speed, and phonological awareness. The appointment will last up to 3 hours.
Both Specialist Teachers (who hold an Assessment Practising Certificate, APC) and Psychologists are able to accurately assess for Dyslexia; in practice there is very little difference between the two. Both Specialist Teachers and Psychologists can diagnose Dyslexia and can make recommendations about how the individual can best be supported.
If you solely want to assess for Dyslexia, for example if your child’s school have carried out basic screening already, then a stand-alone Dyslexia assessment is a slightly more affordable route and can focus exclusively on exploration of this.
If your child has more complex needs, if there are other possible learning concerns presenting, if you are potentially exploring an ECHP and/or if you want a general, overall picture of learning needs (not just exclusively looking at Dyslexia) then an Educational Psychology Assessment would be more advisable.
Stand alone Dyslexia Assessment (this will solely assess for Dyslexia) – £650, led by our Specialist Teacher and Assessor
Educational Psychology Assessment (this can assess for Dyslexia, but offer a more general look at learning factors as well) led by our Educational Psychologist, £895
Both services include a report and recommendations.
Please contact us to book in a Dyslexia Assessment. We can discuss which route might be better for your child in terms of the assessor.
The Tunbridge Wells Adult Wellness Centre will be opening early 2026. If you are looking to book a Dyslexia Assessment for someone in higher education or an individual over the age of 18, please click here to be added to the waiting list and will contact you as soon as the bookings open.