Following advances made during the pandemic, and guidance from our governing body (SASC), we are now able to offer full diagnostic dyslexia assessments for adults and children online. The majority of our online assessments are carried out by Eleanor Russell, our experienced online assessor.

What do I need for an online assessment?

A good internet connection is a must! If you struggle with maintaining a good connection, you may need to ask other members of your household to do something offline whilst you have your assessment. You will also need a laptop to do the assessment on, or a tablet with a screen of at least 9.7”. Phones are not suitable. The environment around must be quiet, with no interruptions.

For children under 16, we ask that parents stay in the room (but do not interrupt unless asked) to help facilitate the assessment. Information about what to do will be provided.

You also need pens, paper and pencils, a drink and anything else to help you/your child feel comfortable!

What will happen in an online assessment?

It is very similar to any other assessment!

Before the assessment, you will be given a set of questionnaires to fill in for yourself or your child. If you would prefer, the questionnaires can be filled in verbally, over the phone. You will also be sent an agreement, which it is important you read through and sign.

Once we have received these, there may be extra information that we need. For children, we may email or phone through extra questions before the assessment day, for over 16s we will go through the questionnaires before we get started on the tasks.

Then, your assessor will administer a variety of tests, which include:

• Underlying ability
• Memory
• Phonological awareness
• Processing Speed
• Literacy skills
• Maths skills (if needed)

In all, an assessment should take about 3 hours.

A few days after the assessment day, we will send you an email to give you our initial findings. Then, around two weeks after, you will receive the full diagnostic report.

Are these reports as valid as ones done in person?

In a word, yes! We have extensive guidelines and procedures to follow which mean that assessments carried out online are as ‘valid’ as those carried out face-to-face. Students can use assessment reports to apply for DSA, and adults can use them to apply for Access to Work. The assessment will look slightly different for being carried out online, but this is a robust testing method.