Anyone looking for a dyslexia assessment?

[WithintheRealmsofFantasy]

Dear all,

I'm currently studying a PGcert in Dyslexia at Canterbury Christ Church University. As part of my course I need to do a 'dummy' assessment with a pupil who might have dyslexia. I currently work in a tiny school which doesn't have a suitable student. So, I was hoping that there might be a parent here who was wondering whether their child (age between 8yo and 15yo10months) might have dyslexia and was wondering about getting an assessment done.

For the pupil, and their family the process would be almost identical to official assessment procedures:

1. I would meet online with the parents to discuss the pupil (early development, educational history etc..)
2. Send a questionaire to their school to gather information and understand strategies already in place etc...
3. Spend a day at their school doing a series of diagnostic tests/activities with the pupil (the pupil would probably need to miss normal lessons for 1 day, as the tests take c.4.5 hours and I believe rest breaks are important!)
4. Write up a report: this would present my findings and give recommendations for classroom adaptations, strategies, further support etc... Even if the judgement was that the student did not have dyslexia, there would still be a report with suggestions/strategies or further referral.

There are a few things I think it's important for you to consider:

1. Because I'm training not qualified, it is a 'dummy' report, and has no legal status, so could not be used for exam access arrangements etc...
2. Also because I'm training, I can't assess any student who has another diagnosed condition e.g. ADHD or ASD, or who might be going to be assessed for these in the next year

It was my hope that there might be a family out there with a question mark about a child, and that as this was free, then it might at least help you decide whether you wanted to pay for an assessment, or could be used to encourage a school to refer?

I'm based in Hertfordshire, but I'd be willing to travel as many hours as it takes (I thought I'd identified a student but the arrangement fell through and I'm meant to graduate at the end of June!)
I have a fully enhanced DBS check, and I'm registered with the update service.

Warmest wishes,

Katharine

Come join my dyslexia group on Facebook - you will get someone there - dyslexia help and support uK. Put in the answering questions Gaby sent you.

I would be very interested in this. How can I contact you?

@gabster33 please could you tell me the name of your FB group?

Yes please! This would be really helpful for us.

Dear all,
Many thanks for the all the responses and messages– I’m very grateful for the help!
Just to say I have now found a student to assess, so I’m afraid I won’t be able to look at anyone else, but if there are any questions you have regarding dyslexia, I'll do my best, although I'm sure there are a lot more knowledgeable people than me out there!