Training as a dyslexia specialist? Will I earn?

[Disabrie22]

I’m so stuck in a rut with my job as a TA - am a qualified teacher who took time out as a 1:1 TA for my young children. I need another career as this one is exhausting me beyond belief. Is anyone here a dyslexia specialist or Dyslexia assessor? Is it worth the money training and will I earn after?

Desperate for help as so frustrated right now

Bump

Bumping for you.

I have to say if I thought my dc had dyslexia I would turn to an educational psychologist. But presumably this exists as a separate role?

I used to deliver 1:1 dyslexia tuition in HE. Salaried positions are often £35,000 - £40,000 and come up regularly if you live near a major city. Zero hours work around £30ph via agencies.

I found the work too easy and repetitive but I didn’t have any children at the time.

Salary will be less than you would earn as a qualified teacher on UPS3.

I’m a teacher and qualified SENCO with a masters in SEN. I’ve considered specialist assessor roles and an EP role, neither way as well as classroom teaching!

Would you consider returning to teaching part time? I earn more teaching 2 days a week than I would bring a TA for 5 days!

Ds is dyslexic and we had him assessed by a private specialist ( educational psychologist ) - whether you will get enough children / clients to make a proper living I cannot say. But this chap was properly qualified. My ( anecdotal ) experience is the two he has been to were retired retrained teachers - but but he had to go for an initial assessment & those people were much younger so I do not know what the career path is for dyslexia - I am sure you have looked it up - also have you thought about once trained - universities have people on call for students with dyslexia

Sorry if not much help but with all best - good luck - I have been so grateful to people who have helped DS with his dyslexia

In my area it was really hard to get a dyslexia specialist tutor for my dc, and they charged a bit more than a regular tutor (around £37, a few years ago). But I think quite a bit of training had to happen to be qualified.

I looked into this-it seemed a very expensive and surprisingly long training route to get the Level 7 qualification. There were over £1000 worth of books/assessments to buy and you would have had a fair few overheads annually to keep practising. I know someone with it locally-she’s always touting for business which makes me think she isn’t flooded with work.

I decided against it.

My DP had a dyslexia support tutor at University who would read through work and help in between classes. They were really great and it made a massive difference to DP.
From what I can remember I think they charged £35 per hour. It was about 5 years ago now.

If you have children you're presumably not wanting to go down the route of private tuition for children after school? I suspect specialist posts in schools are hard to come by; HE will probably depend on where you are geographically.

If you want to be an assessor look at the PATOSS site and see if there are many qualified assessors in your area - you can then see how much competition there is.
If you would like to work in a school then perhaps look at the Crested website and see if there are any near you could approach. You might also find that some secondary schools have catch up teachers to help those behind in English and Maths, a dyslexia specialist would be so helpful in this role. Some councils also employ SpLD outreach teachers, could be another avenue to explore.

I left teaching and sencoing after a couple of decades and work as a specialist assessor. I had spent a while building relationships and reputation. I am fortunate to have had consistent work and earn considerably more than I did as a senior manager in a school. However, what I value is the choice to set my working hours.

I really enjoy my work and serve a broad range of clients and needs.
Set up costs are more than a few years ago as there are prescribed lists of tests you need, so you are looking at around £2k for materials on top of the course.
My client range didn’t happen overnight but I wouldn’t change what I’m doing.

It’s very busy currently in tutoring and assessing.

Sockpile has also offered helpful advice.

Different areas tend to have different demand levels too. See if there is a PATOSS local group in your area and you could sound out the sorts of need in the area to establish whether it would be a viable move.

You don’t have to be an independent, as there are many roles linked to existing educational set-ups and businesses.

@lanthanum

If you have children you're presumably not wanting to go down the route of private tuition for children after school? I suspect specialist posts in schools are hard to come by; HE will probably depend on where you are geographically.

A number of children (particularly those with SEN) are home-schooled so I'm sure OP will find jobs during the typical school day. Not only that, you can also be commissioned by local authorities.

I find dyslexia tutors can teach a wide range of children and SEN- not just those with dyslexia.

Thank you all so much for replying- I am so unsure what to do - I need to know that investing £2,000 will be worth it - and that I will be able to pay it back soon. Your info shows me that this might be a risky venture?

I am currently doing this course thorough a university, not via Patoss. My work is funding my Level 7 as is the case for 90% of the students on the course. I would ask if your school or college can help you with the costs. At the end of it you will be able to assess for exam access arrangements, plus offer specialised dyslexia tuition, plus staff training, plus dyslexia assessments (most schools do not want or need an in house assessor though). Its a big investment for you but possibly not for your school.

Bear in mind the cost of assessment materials. They are expensive!!!

Thank you xxx

@GalesThisMorning

I am currently doing this course thorough a university, not via Patoss. My work is funding my Level 7 as is the case for 90% of the students on the course. I would ask if your school or college can help you with the costs. At the end of it you will be able to assess for exam access arrangements, plus offer specialised dyslexia tuition, plus staff training, plus dyslexia assessments (most schools do not want or need an in house assessor though). Its a big investment for you but possibly not for your school.

Bear in mind the cost of assessment materials. They are expensive!!!

Fo you mind me asking…is it £2/3000 for the course fees and then another £2000 for the assessment material on top?

Just be a tutor? Dyslexia assessors need a constant string of clients who you only see once. Be a tutor and you only need a few clients on an ongoing basis. And as a qualified teacher you don’t need any more training. If you’re good, word will get about and you’ll be in demand.

I'm in London and pay £60 an hour for a specialist dtslexia tutor for my primary aged child.

Wye wateringly expensive but she's fully booked

I’m a dyslexia assessor. DM if you need more info.

@Redlocks28 I believe it can be, yes. My work is paying so I'm not entirely sure on prices but one test kit I looked at recently was £800

hi, i’m curious to see if you did the course and whether it was worth it?