Dyslexia assessment process

[cloudjumper]

DD is 7 (8 in December), in Year 3. We noticed back in Year 2 that she was really struggling with reading and writing - when we raised concerns with the school, we got quite a lame 'she always tries hard', they wouldn't make any stronger comments.
We decided to get a tutor for DD, to avoid her falling more behind, and also to try and get her to enjoy reading and writing (which definitely wasn't at the time).
The tutor has been brilliant, DD loves the lessons with her, and is much happier to at least try to read/write.
However, her spelling, handwriting and reading are still not great, and I'm starting to wonder if she has dyslexia... DH is dyslexic as well.
Can anyone recommend where to go for information and how the assessment process works? I am going to discuss this with her tutor this week, and I plan to bring this up with her teacher at the parent evening. What can I expect/should I be doing or looking for?

Op I don't know about the assement but in terms of spelling etc try and do your own research as to what works for students with dyslexia.
Usually phonics is a barrier as they can't get sounds, sight reading is better and understanding words from context.
Spellings need learning in more creative ways and then over learning... And so on.

Try different strategies.

Don't delay mentioning it until parents evening. Mention your concerns asap to her teacher (presumably a different teacher to past year?) at drop off/pick up if you can and say you'd appreciate them passing it on to the SENCO, to get the ball rolling asap.

She's prime age for testing/diagnosis and if there's a family history it's a real possibility she has it too if she is continuing to struggle. The school should take these concerns seriously so if you don't get anywhere talking to the teacher/SENCO I'd go to the Headteacher to he honest any say you're concerned a potential barrier to learning is being repeated dismissed and you'd like her referring for testing. Hopefully it won't get to that though and you'll be listened to this time. Definitely mention her dad is dyslexic as hopefully that will help to raise an alarm bell that this needs to be investigated asap.

.Good luck

If you want a dyslexic assessment then you will have to commission one privately. Schools cant afford these and many LAs dont support the process.

It has always been the case- it is why its called the rich kids diagnosis

My DS is severely dyslexic, took primary school far too long to recognise.

Unfortunately, for us at the time our LA did not have an Ed Psych in post. We paid for a private assessment (£420 10 years ago) just to give an idea of cost.

Our DS is nearly 21 now, left school with only one, barely scraped GCSE. He now works in a very specialised area of tech. He is the most driven person I know. His ability to problem solve and entrepreneurship is beyond bounds.

Please don’t worry if your child is dyslexic, so many great business people are

It's almost impossible to get a school/LA to pay for a dyslexia assessment these days. There are some free online screeners, but I don't rate them. If you want to get your own assessment done, go on the PATOSS website to find accredited assessors in your area.

We noticed issues around the same age and the school was in agreement but slow to act as DC was doing ok and not behind. We put our foot down end of last year (start of Y4) as our DC was getting frustrated and upset that they found it tricky. We paid privately for an Ed Psych, with the school agreeing would be a good idea. We were waiting 4 months to get an appt so be prepared to wait. Now has a dyslexia diagnosis and working with school on how to navigate way forward…. Am annoyed with myself for not pushing in Y3 as I feel we have a lot of catching up to do in respect of confidence and with a step change in homework now in Y5 it’s a LOT to navigate.

@VivaLaVolvo

""that's rich isn't it."
The rich kids diagnosis because la won't pay for all children to get diagnosed.
The poor children can just not learn to read and end up in prison but let's blame the richer families for trying to sort out the mess.

I'm almost certain that my 7 year old has dyslexia but school aren't interested. An Ed psych assessment costs around £1k but there are also people who are only qualified to assess for dyslexia. Locally, this costs around £400-500 and they will assess from age 8. I decided not to wait and have paid for dc to have an informal assessment for around £200. He won't get a diagnosis at the end of it but all the same tests will be done that would be for a formal assessment and I've been told that this will be enough to get him the support he needs throughout primary and most of secondary. I keep getting told by his teachers that he doesn't need to be assessed in order to receive extra support in class, but this doesn't seem to be happening.

I would also recommend https://www.bdadyslexia.org.uk/for more information on dyslexia.

Dts have just been privately assessed. It was a fairy intense four hour process. Waiting lists are long with private assessors too.

There were signs back in reception, then the SENCO left and wasn't replaced and it wasn't mentioned again, out down to them being premature and needing to catch up. Then covid happened. Then in y6 they had a tutor and she flagged it again. School did a nessy screen and it was a battle for them to even do that. Both came out as 'high risk'.

Anyway roll on to now they are in y8 and both have dyslexia, visual stress and one is dyspraxic as well. I feel so bad that we didn't push it further when they were younger.

School are completely disinterested, trying to get hold of the SENCO is impossible.

I found out assessor through the PATOSS website. I'd highly recommend her if you are anywhere near south east London.