Dyslexia Diagnostic Assessment for 7yo

[Letsmoveon]

Has anyone had a Diagnostic Assessment down with their child of a similar age through an accredited person? Can anyone offer any advice with the process please?

The school SENCO said that DS(7) - Year 2 - may have dyslexia and says she is not qualified to diagnose it. She has done some assessments with the tools she has and he is definitely tracking well behind where he should be for his age for reading, writing and spelling (maths is fine, as is the Receptive Language test for vocabulary, result higher than his age).

She said a Diagnostic Assessment with an accredited person through the British Dyslexia Association would be helpful to know if he definitely has it. His Infant school has been fantastic with supporting him but he is moving to Juniors in September and I do not want him left to drown because he has no diagnosed condition etc (they assure me this won’t happen but the proof will be once he’s there and they have been able to see his capability). The two Senco’s and existing/new teachers will be liaising with each other.

Dyslexia Specialist Teacher here. There are a few things to consider here. First of all, if you decide to get a diagnostic assessment, do it through Patoss Tutor Index and not through the BDA. You'll pay through the nose through the BDA and they don't have so many assessors, especially not at the primary phase. Expect to pay in the region of £500, give or take, depending on where you live.

Secondly, although the school staff may well be right about your son being dyslexic, given his age it would be better to wait another year minimum. You can get a diagnostic assessment for him right now, his diagnostic profile will be much more settled by then. The 'profile', as much as the diagnosis 'dyslexia' itself is more important in terms of his needs and support going forward.

Although it might seem important to you to get a diagnostic assessment as soon as you are able, you should bear in mind that many Local Authorities do not recognise the term 'dyslexia' and so might not recognise a diagnostic report, even though in law dyslexia is a disability. So you need to be sure that you are getting a report for the right reasons.

The SENCOs don't need either a diagnostic assessment or any other 'diagnosed condition' to put support in place for him, and they should support him as he presents. They do not need 'proof' for this. If you feel that he is not going to get the support in order for him to make progress, then ask to see the school's special needs policy.

I’m a dyslexia assessor (APC) and don’t agree with waiting another year. Personally, I don’t think profiles ‘settle down’ ; there’s usually more than enough ammunition by this boy’s age.

you should bear in mind that many Local Authorities do not recognise the term 'dyslexia' and so might not recognise a diagnostic report, even though in law dyslexia is a disability.

LAs may like parents to believe this, but such blanket policies are unlawful, and if a parent appealed the LA’s refusal to provide support SENDIST most definitely do recognise dyslexia.

Primary teacher here with an interest in dyslexia and a dyslexic child who was diagnosed aged 8. The diagnosing educational psychologist felt it was a pity DC's school had put the brakes on assessment to "wait another year" as DC's self-esteem had taken a massive knock by then and the seeds of school anxiety had been sown. Don't wait.