Is this a definite dyslexia diagnosis?

[MajorMajor]

My son is 10 (year 6). Since an early age I've known he has difficulties with spelling, reading, word formation and other typical dyslexic traits.

In year 3, his school assessed him (they used the GL Assessment) and the result was a SpLD in spelling, but no overall dyslexia diagnosis. I continued to feel that this didn't cover his difficulties, so in year 5 I paid for a private dyslexia assessment. This Ed Psych told me verbally that he certainly is dyslexic; hwever in the written report the words are "x's overall performance suggests he experiences a specific learning difficulty (dyslexia)".

The word 'suggests' bothers me and I'm worried that in year 7 his secondary school might refuse to give him extra support as he doesn't have a definitive diagnosis.

Anyone have any advice or experience to offer?

TIA

No it's not a definitive diagnosis but it's enough to get him support.
A diagnosis comes from private assessment which you would have to pay for. Schools don't offer this service.

His secondary school will likely have their own screening tool or will get an update from the Ed Psych. He should be on the SEN register particularly if he is behind academically so don't be afraid to get in touch with the senco when you look around the school/applying to find out what provision they will make.

Our school did a dislexia assessment for my ds (perhaps not all schools do) and it said he had dislexia. I would ask the private one to clarify in writing what they meant.

"x's overall performance suggests he experiences a specific learning difficulty (dyslexia)".
You paid for a private report with this conclusion. Yes this is a diagnosis.
However some schools take private diagnoses with a pinch of salt as many students get a private diagnosis but if parents had not paid for these, those students would not have been picked up by the state sector.

Thanks... I'll make an appointment to see the senco at his secondary school

Most Ed Psych reports are quite vague like your DC’s. DD has dyslexia and had similar report which we paid for but as she is just above average academically as she has good coping strategies and does well in maths she gets no extra support at secondary school (she is now in year 9). We met with the SENCO and have emailed the school her report before she started and once she was in school so they have received the report twice.