Please reach me at darshnishah@hotmail.com if you cannot find an answer to your question.
Terms & Conditions for Diagnostic Assessments
These terms and conditions apply to assessments booked by individuals or their parents/guardians for private evaluations.
A dyslexia assessment examines an individual’s cognitive strengths and challenges, identifying possible Specific Learning Difficulties (Dyslexia). The results provide formal documentation to support educational adjustments, workplace accommodations, or exam arrangements.
Assessments are carried out by a qualified specialist teacher/assessor, registered with the Specific Learning Difficulties Assessment Standards Committee (SASC) (www.sasc.org.uk). Holding a valid Assessment Practising Certificate (APC), I ensure that all evaluations and reports comply with the SpLD Working Group 2005/DfES guidelines for assessing learning difficulties.
Assessments can be scheduled via phone or email, with confirmation sent by email.
A background information form must be completed before the appointment, as it is essential for the final report.
To ensure accurate results, a recent vision test is required:
Within the last two years.
The assessment will be conducted professionally, ensuring the comfort and well-being of the individual being assessed.
The person undergoing evaluation is expected to engage cooperatively to ensure a valid outcome.
If additional support or accommodations are required due to co-existing conditions, this must be discussed before the appointment.
For individuals under 18:
A parent or guardian must provide a contact number and remain available during the session. If the individual becomes overwhelmed or distressed, the assessor may pause or postpone the session.
Full non-refundable payment is required at the time of booking.
If a client does not attend the scheduled session, any payments made (including deposits) will be forfeited.
Minor corrections to background information can be requested within 30 days of receiving the report.
Once the final report is issued the assessment process is considered complete.
Personal data is handled in accordance with Data Protection Guidelines.
The final report will be stored securely for seven years. After seven years, reports will no longer be available.
The remote assessment lasts approximately three hours and includes a series of standardised tests designed to identify areas of strength and difficulty.
These tests assess:
Visual and verbal abilities
Phonological awareness
Working memory
Processing speed
Reading, writing, spelling, and handwriting
A dyslexia diagnosis is determined based on the assessment results, background information, learning history, and observations made during the session.
The assessment will take place remotely via Microsoft Teams or Zoom. A secure link to join the session will be provided in your booking confirmation email.
Technical Requirements
To ensure a smooth and effective assessment, please have:
A device with a large screen (minimum 15 inches – mobile phones and small tablets are not suitable)
A stable internet connection
A microphone, headphones, and a webcam
Environment Setup
A quiet, private room where you will not be interrupted
Pen and paper for written tasks
Preparing for Your Child’s Dyslexia Assessment
To ensure an accurate and effective assessment, please follow these steps in preparation:
1. Eye Test Requirement
Before the assessment, your child must have had a recent vision test:
Children (under 16): Must have had an eye test within the last 12 months.
If your child wears glasses, they must bring them to the assessment.
If your child uses a coloured overlay or tinted lenses for reading, these should also be available during the session.
2. Background Information from School
A key part of the assessment involves understanding your child’s learning profile in an educational setting. To help with this:
The school should complete a background questionnaire, which can be filled out in consultation with the Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCo) or relevant teachers.
This information provides valuable insights into your child’s classroom experience, learning challenges, and strengths.
3. Parent Questionnaire
As a parent or guardian, you will need to complete a background questionnaire about your child’s:
Early development and learning history
Strengths and difficulties in reading, writing, and other academic areas
Any concerns related to attention, memory, or processing speed
Any existing diagnoses or interventions in place
4. Creating a Supportive Environment
To help your child feel comfortable and perform their best:
Ensure they are well-rested and have eaten before the session.
Explain the process in a reassuring way, letting them know it’s not a test they can pass or fail—it’s just to understand how they learn best.
If the assessment is remote, set up a quiet, distraction-free space with a computer, webcam, and headphones.
If you have any questions about preparing for the assessment, please reach out in advance.
An access arrangements assessment is conducted to gather evidence for exam accommodations, such as 25% extra time, a scribe, or a reader. This assessment evaluates a learner’s reading, writing, and processing speed to determine whether their difficulties in class and under timed conditions significantly impact their ability to demonstrate their knowledge in exams.
Access arrangements assessments must be carried out no earlier than Year 9, following the regulations set by the Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ).If you require an access arrangements assessment, I will work with your child’s school to collect background information on their classroom challenges. This is a legal requirement and helps determine which specific assessments are needed.
Scope of an Access Arrangements Assessment
An access arrangements assessment only includes the necessary tests to provide evidence of the difficulties affecting a candidate’s performance under exam conditions. It is guided by the school’s existing records.
No Formal Diagnosis RequiredUnlike a full diagnostic assessment, an access arrangements assessment does not diagnose a Specific Learning Difficulty (SpLD). It simply confirms whether a learning difficulty exists and how it impacts performance in assessments. Not a Dyslexia Diagnosis
This type of assessment cannot diagnose dyslexia. It is solely used to determine if reasonable adjustments are needed to support a learner in formal and mock examinations.
A diagnostic assessment is valid for life and is required for applications such as the Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) in Higher Education.
An access arrangements assessment is only valid for the duration of secondary education and is designed to support exam.
I provide Specific Learning Difficulty (SpLD) assessments for students who are currently enrolled in or preparing to start undergraduate or postgraduate courses. These assessments offer formal evidence for study support, exam accommodations, and Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) applications.The assessment is conducted online by me and lasts approximately two hours.This evaluation can identify dyslexia, dyscalculia, dyspraxia, and ADHD (non-medical diagnosis) either individually or in combination. Please note that while the assessment can confirm ADHD for educational support purposes, it does not provide a medical diagnosis or access to medication.
If you or someone you know is facing significant challenges in their studies or everyday life, and is seeking clarity or additional support, a Diagnostic Assessment for Dyslexia or Dyscalculia can be extremely beneficial.This assessment helps provide a comprehensive understanding of an individual’s cognitive profile, highlighting both their strengths and challenges. With this information, any support put in place can be more targeted and effective.Common reasons to seek a Diagnostic Assessment for Dyslexia or Dyscalculia include:Applying for funded support at university, such as the Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA).Providing evidence for Exam Access Arrangements while studying at college, university, or for professional qualifications.Supplying additional information for employers to make Reasonable Adjustments for employees with specific difficulties.
Copyright © 2025 Darshani Dyslexia London - All Rights Reserved.
Website design by www.syncmymedia.co.uk