Dyslexia Assessments
Dyslexia can affect your reading and writing, memory, concentration, organisation and communication. Getting a diagnosis or support through a dyslexia workplace needs assessment can help you to work and study your way. Here you can find some common questions on dyslexia.
Diagnostic assessments
Our diagnostic dyslexia assessment can tell you if you are dyslexic.
We can offer remote video assessments or in-person appointments in Yorkshire.
Needs assessments
If you have been diagnosed as dyslexic or believe you are dyslexic, our one-to-one online dyslexia workplace needs assessments aim to understand how you currently learn and work. We then create personalised strategies and recommend AI and assistive technologies that will help you excel.
What is Dyslexia?
Dyslexia is a specific learning difficulty (SpLD) caused by a neurological difference, meaning a difference in the way the brain works between dyslexic people and non-dyslexic people. It may be more common than you think. It’s estimated that 1 in 10 people may be dyslexic to some extent, but we still don’t fully understand it. Most people only associate dyslexia with difficulties in reading, writing and spelling, but it’s a myth that it only affects those abilities.
Many dyslexic people also experience an impact on their:
- Memory
- Organisation
- Time-keeping
- Concentration
- Multi-tasking
- Communication
Dyslexia is highly heritable, which means that if one or both of your parents are dyslexic, you are more likely to be dyslexic too. Research from identical twin studies suggests that genes may contribute up to 60% of the factors that contribute to a person being dyslexic.
It has been suggested that there might be different ‘types’ of dyslexia or that dyslexia exists on a spectrum, although there is little research on this. It is important to remember that every dyslexic person is different. They may not experience difficulties in all areas listed above, or at all times. Many dyslexic people develop coping strategies, which can mask these difficulties at work, in their learning or their social lives.
Research has also shown that dyslexic people often have greater strengths in non-verbal creativity than non-dyslexic people and may excel in work and learning that centres around design, art and audiovisual media.
Dyslexia diagnosis
How is dyslexia assessed?
During a diagnostic assessment for dyslexia with Aim Forward, you will be asked to complete several tasks. These are not pass or fail tests – they are designed to highlight indicators of dyslexia, your cognitive profile and your strengths and weaknesses.
The following areas will be explored:
- Language and practical tasks
- Memory
- How long does it take you to process information
- Reading ability
- Writing and spelling skills
The diagnostic assessment also involves a background information questionnaire, which is completed before the assessment and provides the assessor with information about your educational background, medical history and any previous assessments.
The diagnostic assessment for dyslexia will be provided by a qualified assessor, who is either an educational psychologist registered with the HCPC or a specialist assessor with an Assessment Practising Certificate.
How do I get an assessment for dyslexia?
In the UK, a diagnosis of dyslexia is not a medical diagnosis. It is not assessed by medical professionals but by educational psychologists or specialist assessors. You do not need to meet specific requirements or show evidence before booking.
Anyone over the age of 14 can be assessed for dyslexia with Aim Forward, simply by booking a diagnostic assessment with us.
After booking your assessment, we will send you a background questionnaire to complete. This helps give our assessors a big picture of key aspects of your life which might relate to your neurodivergence, including medical history, experiences in working and learning and anything you know you have difficulties with.
What happens during a dyslexia assessment?
During a diagnostic assessment for dyslexia, the assessor will talk with you about your background, but they will also ask you to complete tasks to assess your strengths and weaknesses in different areas, such as:
- Language and practical tasks
- Memory
- How long does it take you to process information
- Reading ability
- Writing and spelling skills
These tasks are not pass or fail – they are designed to highlight indicators of dyslexia, your cognitive profile and your strengths and weaknesses. While you may have contacted us about signs of dyslexia, if your assessor thinks you might have traits of other specific learning difficulties (SpLD), such as ADHD, dyspraxia or dyscalculia, they may recommend completing additional tasks in order to assess for these as well.
This can be done in the assessment itself or as a follow-on session. It is your choice whether to progress only a dyslexia diagnostic assessment or to explore the possibility of other diagnoses at additional cost. Our support team can guide you through this and help answer any questions you may have.
At Aim Forward, all our diagnostic assessments are performed by either educational psychologists who are registered with HCPC or specialist assessors with an Assessment Practising Certificate.
How long does a dyslexia assessment take?
A diagnostic assessment for dyslexia can take up to 3 hours, but we offer breaks as often as you need them. Our assessors will ask you to complete multiple tasks to test your strengths and weaknesses during the assessment, as well as talking with you, which is why it can take some time.
What is the difference between a screener, a dyslexia diagnostic assessment, and a dyslexia workplace needs assessment?
A screener is a checklist or questionnaire that you complete yourself, usually online. It is designed to indicate whether personal difficulties or traits may be the result of a neurological difference like dyslexia. The results do not form a diagnosis, they are only indicative. There are many different types of screening tests, and they can be a useful place to start when you are in the early stages of exploring your neurodivergence, but they cannot give you a diagnosis. They only offer limited insight into your experiences, and they are not always considered accurate.
Dyslexia testing or dyslexia assessments involve diagnostic testing that explores whether a diagnosis of dyslexia is present, and is undertaken by a qualified assessor, who is either an educational psychologist registered with the HCPC or a specialist teacher with an Assessment Practising Certificate.
Dyslexia workplace needs assessments explore the impact of your dyslexia in the workplace, along with practical strategies that could be put in place as potential reasonable adjustments at work. They are undertaken by specialist assessors who have experience with support strategies for dyslexia in the workplace.
At Aim Forward, we provide diagnostic assessments for dyslexia. Click here to book yours today.
How much does a diagnostic assessment for dyslexia cost?
Please get in touch for pricing and availability.
If your assessor identifies any potential traits of other specific learning difficulties (SpLD), such as ADHD, dyspraxia or dyscalculia, you might be offered the opportunity to complete additional questionnaires and testing at an additional cost.
Our support team can guide you through this and help answer any questions you may have.
What happens after a dyslexia assessment?
Around 10 working days after a diagnostic assessment for dyslexia with Aim Forward, you will receive a personalised report which contains:
- Summary of the report
- Diagnostic decision
- Your cognitive profile
- Your strengths and weaknesses
- Recommended sources of additional information or support
If you have any questions after you receive and read your report, our support team is always on hand to help.
From what age can you diagnose dyslexia?
Aim Forward delivers diagnostic assessments for adults and young people aged 14+.
Our understanding of dyslexia and neurodivergence has transformed in the last 5-10 years. We know that some people may have had their dyslexia missed when they were at school or university, because we had a more limited understanding of how dyslexia presents in different people. Dyslexic people may have also developed successful coping strategies, masking these difficulties in their learning, at work or in their social lives.
If you are an adult who has just started to explore dyslexia and whether it might make sense with your experiences in work and learning, you might find this blog post helpful.
We can also work directly with employers to provide diagnostic assessments and dyslexia workplace needs assessments to support individuals or whole teams who may be neurodivergent, shaping solutions for their future.
Dyslexia workplace needs assessments
What support can I get for dyslexia?
Whether you choose to pursue a diagnosis of dyslexia or not, you can gain insight into your neurodivergence with Aim Forward through a dyslexia workplace needs assessment. In a workplace needs assessment, you will work with an experienced assessor to understand how your dyslexia is impacting you at work, and what potential reasonable adjustments could be put in place to help you excel in your role.
What happens in a dyslexia workplace needs assessment?
Your dyslexia workplace needs assessment will be unique to you and your circumstances, but common areas we explore with dyslexic employees are:
- Reading and research – we look at how quickly and accurately you can decode (understand) words as you read.
- Writing and composition – we consider how well you can retain information to write your ideas down.
- Meetings, presentations and note-taking – we explore how quickly you process information in meetings or presentations, and how effectively you can hold and retain information for future use.
- Time management and organisation – we explore how often you miss deadlines or appointments, and the role dyslexia could be playing in this.
- Environment – we consider how your focus is impacted when working in busy or distracting environments.
- Wellbeing – we consider the effects of your dyslexia on your mood and self-esteem.
Strategies and assistive technologies
We also explore strategies and assistive technologies in a dyslexia workplace needs assessment, which could be put in place as potential reasonable adjustments, such as:
- Clear, structured communication – bullet point summaries or bolding key points can help reduce ambiguity and support cognitive processes.
- Alternative format instructions – verbal instructions or walkthroughs can be helpful when processing large amounts of written instructions is difficult.
- Quiet environments – using noise-cancelling headphones or having access to break-out spaces can be helpful when conducting deep research or focused work.
- Flexible deadlines – can help when processing complex written information or instructions.
- Text-to-speech-software – aids information processing and retention while reading content as it’s spoken aloud.
- Speech-to-text software – allows ideas to flow without worrying about typing and spelling.
- Mind-mapping software – avoids “blank page fear” and procrastination by capturing ideas quickly and visually.
- Spelling & grammar checking software – takes away the stress of worrying about spelling and grammar whilst at work.
- Note-taking software and apps – reduce the impact of inattention or distractions in meetings with automatic note-taking.
Many people come to us thinking they want a diagnosis, but often what makes the biggest difference to their working and everyday lives is personalised solutions and strategies that they can put into action.
Choosing whether or not to pursue a diagnosis is a personal choice. But if you want to find productivity in the workplace, expert guidance and clarity on what works for you, and strategies that deliver effective results, then a dyslexia workplace needs assessment is for you.
What are the benefits of a dyslexia workplace needs assessment?
Understanding how your dyslexia impacts you at work and having personalised strategies and reasonable adjustments in place makes a huge difference to your productivity, performance and wellbeing.
For over 10+ years, we have seen dyslexia workplace needs assessments transform the way dyslexic people can excel in their studies, work and everyday life, and clients have reported increased:
- Wellbeing
- Productivity
- Career opportunities
- Grades
Our needs assessors hold a variety of disability-specific qualifications, alongside decades of experience working with neurodivergence, mental health conditions and other disabilities, including lived experience. This puts us in a unique position to provide needs assessments that recognise co-occurring conditions (where you experience more than one condition at the same time).
Over 20% of our needs assessment clients have two or more formally diagnosed conditions, but many more experience undiagnosed traits or symptoms. For example, you may have a diagnosis of dyslexia, but also be experiencing symptoms of anxiety and depression. Our needs assessments focus solely on you and your unique needs.
What happens after a dyslexia workplace needs assessment?
Following the dyslexia workplace needs assessment, you’ll receive a bespoke report with practical, personalised strategies that can be put in place as potential reasonable adjustments to help you and your employer navigate effective dyslexia support in the workplace.
After your dyslexia workplace needs assessment, Aim Forward can provide coaching with your assessor to support you in building lasting habits in the workplace, helping you to adapt and refine your strategies based on what works for you day-to-day.
How much does a needs assessment cost?
Please get in touch for pricing and availability.
What is it like having a dyslexia workplace needs assessment with Aim Forward?
If you would like a personal perspective on what it’s like to have a dyslexia workplace needs assessment with us, one of our clients agreed to share their experience: you can read it by clicking here.
FAQs
Have more questions? Ready to start putting support in place for your employees? Our friendly support team is here to help you.
I have always been embarrassed by my slow reading pace and difficulty taking information in – I am very much an auditory learner. My assessment has allowed me to focus on my strengths and ask my team for help where I need it. I feel energised, less stressed and more in tune with my dyslexia.
How do I know if an employee is dyslexic?
Contact us for a diagnostic assessment here.
What support do you offer for dyslexia?
Aim Forward offers dyslexia diagnostic assessments, dyslexia workplace needs assessments and coaching for employees with dyslexia.
- A diagnostic assessment will assess if there is a diagnosis of dyslexia.
- A dyslexia workplace needs assessment will explore potential reasonable adjustments to support an employee with dyslexia in the workplace.
- Follow on coaching can help to embed the strategies discussed in the workplace needs assessment and create daily habits.
Our services are designed so you can select what works for individual employees, as we recognise that every situation is unique. Our dyslexia workplace needs assessments can be offered with or without a diagnosis of dyslexia, as we know not everyone has access to a diagnosis, but still wants to feel supported with tailored solutions and practical, reasonable adjustments to help them excel.
We can also offer broader packages of consultancy, training and support across organisations. Regardless of the size of your business, we’re ready to help.
Please email [email protected] to see how Aim Forward can support your employees with dyslexia workplace needs assessments or packages of support.
How are employees with dyslexia covered by the Equality Act 2010?
A diagnosis of dyslexia is recognised as a disability under the Equality Act 2010. This means that employers are under a legal obligation to make reasonable adjustments and to not discriminate against employees with dyslexia.
What are reasonable adjustments for dyslexia?
There is no one-size-fits all approach with identifying reasonable adjustments for employees with dyslexia, as everyone’s experience of dyslexia is unique. Some adjustments you could consider include:
- Access to assistive technology (e.g. text-to-speech, spellcheck, mind-mapping tools)
- Extra time for tasks involving heavy reading or writing
- Visual schedules or diagrams instead of text-heavy instructions
- Option to use audio or verbal responses where appropriate
- Written follow-ups to verbal conversations or meetings
- Proofreading support for reports or proposals
- Clear, consistent templates and formatting standards
Contact us here to find out more about dyslexia workplace needs assessments that can explore potential reasonable adjustments for your dyslexic employees to thrive in their role.
Employees and managers often feel unsure how to help and find the process daunting, so our dyslexia workplace needs assessments provide practical, achievable recommendations that can be put in place as reasonable adjustments, tailored to the person and the role.
How much do reasonable adjustments for dyslexia cost?
Dyslexia workplace needs assessments and the recommendations that follow do not have to be expensive. We can recommend free or low cost strategies, and easy to implement technologies including AI and simple software. 5 of the 6 most common reasonable adjustments are free, and there is an opportunity for employers to state in advance where there are adjustments they would not consider reasonable (such as remote working), or if there are budgetary constraints to consider.