Dyslexia test

[Enko]

I want to get DD2 (age 17) a dyslexia test. we have had a long struggle to get the school to agree this is a posibility and thankfully after her therapist (she is under CAMHS for anxiety) has stated this has to be done, school did a test them selves and has for now agreed she needs to some extended time. However we are still struggling but school has now agreed that if we get a private test they will accept this.

I tried the British dyslexia association However I will admit my own dyslexia has made me all confused about this. Do we need an adult test? the younger tests seems to low level for what she needs. I really do not want a online test as I don't think the school will take this. Additionally she is a great artist and a lot of online tests has to do with her ability to copy what she just saw. She can do that no problem what she cant do is recall it later on.

We from what I understand need a Occupational Therapists how would we manage to get this sorted? We can get to Kent Surrey Sussex and London plus parts of Essex fairly easily.

[teta]

You need a properly qualified educational psychologist or a teacher with a postgraduate Dyslexia Qualification.Thd Bda and Patoss will have a list of appropriately wuslified assessors.But be warned a full test is expensive - around £500.
See if the School has any contacts or can negotiate a special rate for the test first by speaking to the Senco.

[LIZS]

You need a Post 16 assessment which would also be accepted for exam access arrangements and Disabled Students Allowance if he goes into Higher Education and needs support. Ds' last one cost about £350 and we found the Ed Psych form the PATOSS website.

[Enko]

School is a bit of a wet blanket on this I suspect they are concerned about having to pay anything extra. Due to this I really do not think they will agree to negotiate anything for us. £350-500 yes expensive yes but doable for us. Frankly if it makes her feel less anxious it will be worth every single penny.

She is in 6th form and it is only after her anxiety became that bad we needed CAMHS to help that anyone is listening to her and how badly the dyslexia hinders her learning. Just grateful she has someone who listens and gets it now.

the PATOSS website is a bit confusing but could be due to my being very tired today... Do I just look for a post 16 assessment?

[LIZS]

I think we looked geographically and then by age group. Most will cover several conditions but not all are qualified to do Post 16.

[MSLehrerin]

We have a teacher in school who will do BPVS and YARC testing, amongst other things. She wouldn't be able to give a diagnosis of dyslexia but the tests give "dyslexic indicators" if that makes sense. I'm not an expert on this by any manner of means but I think it means the tests tell how likely you are to have dyslexic traits. Might be a starting point before you pay out loads of cash. Legend has it that, if you pay £500 odd quid, you'll get a diagnosis of dyslexia 😉

[BestIsWest]

DS had his done by the university he was applying to. It cost £350. He had been tested in school by the ed psych when he was younger but needed a Post 16 assessment to apply for DSA.

[teta]

Dd was tested by the school senco for Dyslexic tendencies and she found none.It wasn't until I took him for a 1 day assessment at the local Prep that the teacher immediately said he needs assessing.He Is a pretty bad Dyslexic with a high IQ.
MSLeherin comments like yours absolutely make my blood boil!

[MSLehrerin]

In what way Teta? I did say I wasn't an expert... #interested

[Enko]

Thank you Lizs Obscurely when I searched that way up came the name of one of the ladies who I sing in church Choir with. So I have emailed her and hopefully she can help.

[LIZS]

Glad you hopefully have found someone. When we were looking it seemed at first as if we'd have to travel a bit but then on a further search we found a lady in our village, who had only recently moved there.

[BestIsWest]

MsLehrin Because you are casting aspersions on professials. Your comment irritated me too. Dyslexia is no laughing matter.

[Peanutbutterrules]

Your insulting dyslexics and Ed Pysch by suggesting the the diagnosis is for sale MsLehrin.

[Bluebonnie]

MsLehrin said nothing inappropriate.

Specialist teacher/assessors may NOT give a "diagnosis" of dyslexia, but they can say something like "shows dyslexic tendencies". If the school has an appropriately qualified specialist teacher/assessor you wouldn't expect parents to be charged for some testing or an assessment.

Ed Psychs are permitted to give a "diagnosis" of dyslexia - although the Ed Psychs who work for Local Authorities are unlikely to do so. Ed Psychs in private practice do charge ££ for their time.

For the time being it sounds as if school has arranged for extra time in exams. Having a dyslexia diagnosis from an ed psych who is not known to the school is unlikely to affect what happens this year or next year.

As OP's daughter is in Year 12, she may be in higher education in two years time. Depending on which place she goes to, she may be offered an assessment on arrival if this is clear from her application, or she may be expected to provide a full Post 16 ed psych assessment report before she arrives. The British Psychological Society has a list of ed psychs in private practice, but as mentioned that may not be needed.

[MSLehrerin]

Thanks Bluebonnie. I think my meaning has been lost in translation somewhat.
I was in no way casting any aspersions on the credibility or professionalism of Ed Psychs or SEN staff. Certainly in this part of the world, some companies offering dyslexia screenings for mucho dinero have the reputation of being unscrupulous in their approach and fleecing of people who are desperate for answers for their children. I'm the last person in the world who would make a joke about something like this.

[BestIsWest]

what part of the world? What evidence do you have?

[MSLehrerin]

Not disclosing my location BestisWest, sorry. My evidence is purely anecdotal, hence the phrase in my original post "Legend has it...". And I still don't see where I insult "dyslexics" (should that not be 'people with dyslexia', anyway? "Dyslexics" is a somewhat derogatory term, no? Nor can I see where I insult professionals, especially as I've now clarified I wasn't talking about Ed Psychs taking money for diagnosis of dyslexia.

[bigmack]

Bluebonnie - Specialist teachers with the appropriate level of qualification can give a diagnosis of dyslexia.

[Enko]

Sadly the lady I contacted can't do a 16 plus she is now trying to find someone for me.

The school as agreed to extra time yes, however only after many years of tears frustration and dd2 struggling a great deal. School also says that her " dyslexia is not that bad" their reasoning behind this is because she copies well. (as mentioned earlier she is an artist so has a wonderful eye for copying) I personally am not ok with " indicators" that are done on the basis of if the person can copy something they just saw on a piece of paper.

The school has agreed they will accept a private diagnosis to see if she needs further support than they have put in place. (this was not in place for her GCSE's) however are no further help on who to contact or where to go Hence this post originally.

[teta]

The school sound very poor on Dyslexia Enko.Lots of Dyslexic children copy well.That's really not a indicator.We had to travel to find a reliable tester as we live very rurally.It was very worthwhile though as it gave me hope that with the right teaching my son would succeed. Apologies MsLehrerin I misunderstood your comment.I'm sure there must be some dodgy assessors arround.But often its Lazy teachers who make this comment .I had this happen to me.Or another comment was that it's because his twin is bright often the other twin is not.This was made because of another set of twins in the school.One of which had issues.

[Foxyloxy1plus1]

I agree with much of what MSLeherin says and it is not derogatory towards people with a specific learning difficulty or dyslexia. I was a SENCo with a post graduate qualification in teaching people with SPLD, but I would not be permitted to diagnose it. Having sat on panels, I know that LAs regarded private assessments for dyslexia with some suspicion and would often prefer the LA EP report and recommendations.

[SailAwaySailAwaySailAway]

Ask at your local 6th form colleges. They may have someone with the appropriate qualifications for Post 16 testing.