Specialist dyslexia assessments for children and teenagers up to age 18, with clear diagnostic reports for school support and exam access arrangements.
I provide professional, supportive dyslexia assessments to help identify learning needs and give clear next steps for school and exams.
✔ Diagnostic screening and assessment services for children and young people (ages 8-18)
✔ Carried out by a qualified assessor
✔ Cheltenham-based, serving Gloucestershire and surrounding areas
✔ Support for home, school & exam access arrangements
Professional Dyslexia Assessments in Cheltenham
I provide specialist dyslexia assessments for children and young people up to age 18 who are experiencing difficulties with reading, spelling, writing, or processing information.
My assessments are designed to give clear answers and practical next steps for parents and schools. Whether you are seeking a diagnosis for educational support, exam access arrangements, or a better understanding of learning needs, I’ll guide you through the process from start to finish.
In-person and remote options
I am based in Cheltenham and offer a range of services within schools and homes within Gloucestershire and surrounding areas. Services include:
Free Consultation
Dyslexia Screening
Full Diagnostic Assessment
Tutoring
Please use the contact form for more information
My Dyslexia Screening and Assessment Services
Free consultation
Arrange a call to talk through the challenges your child is experiencing and discuss whether any further action may be helpful. There is no obligation to have a dyslexia screener or assessment with me following this consultation.
Dyslexia Screening
Dyslexia screening is a quick, focused assessment designed to identify potential for specific learning difficulties and highlight areas for further support and/or investigation. Suitable from ages 7 years. This screening helps parents and educators understand early sign of dyslexia and decide whether a full diagnostic assessment is needed.
Full Diagnostic Assessment
A full diagnostic assessment is a comprehensive evaluation of a child or young person’s current level of functioning, to understand their learning profile including their strengths and weaknesses, to identify whether there are any underlying specific learning difficulties, such as dyslexia, that may be affecting her progress; and to explore opportunities for support both at home and at school. This service is suitable for ages 8 years up to 19 years.
How the process works
The process typically involves:
Initial Enquiry – contact me to discuss concerns and suitability
Information Gathering:
Education Questionnaire - to gather a full educational history and current picture
Family Questionnaire - to father a health and developmental information and current picture
Detailed assessment of areas including:
Language and Reasoning
Attainment - literacy (and if required numeracy)
Speed of Processing
Memory and Attention
Full comprehensive assessment report that summarises the findings and provides detailed recommendations for support strategies, interventions and accommodations for both home and school contexts
Feedback Session
Why Choose Cheltenham Dyslexia Assessment
Specialist experience in child and adolescent assessments
Clear, detailed diagnostic reports for home and education use
Supportive, child-friendly assessment approach
Suitable for exam access arrangements and school support plans
Based in Cheltenham, supporting families across Gloucestershire
Professional service supported by a current Assessment Practising Certificate (APC) and full membership with the professional bodies:
The Professional Association of Teachers of Students with Specific Learning Difficulties (PATOSS)
The British Dyslexia Association (BDA)
The British Psychological Society (BPS)
Fully insured
Enhanced DBS check registered on the update service.
Who My Dyslexia Assessments Are For
My assessments support children and teenagers who may be:
Struggling with reading and/or spelling
Running out of time when completing classwork and assessments
Experiencing difficulties with writing often showing a lower standard of written work compared with spoken ability
Finding it difficult to follow multi-step instructions, have poor time management, and trouble recalling names or sequences.
Avoiding reading, writing, or spelling tasks due to high effort/fatigue.
Common Signs of Dyslexia
Difficulties with phonological awareness (linking sounds to letters)
Slow, inaccurate or effortful reading
Poor spelling
Difficulties with memory or sequencing
Avoidance of reading or writing tasks
Difficulty organising written work
Difficulty processing information quickly
Frequently Asked Questions
-
Dyslexia assessment can be done from 8 years into adulthood. I assess children ages 8-18.
-
This can vary depending on the situation and needs of the child. Typically assessment takes 4 hours and can be completed in 1 session or 2 smaller sessions
-
A full diagnostic report can be quote a lengthy document and typically includes the following sections:
cover sheet,
background information,
test conditions,
cognitive profile,
attainment,
diagnostic conclusion,
recommendations,
appendices.
-
While a diagnostic report provides evidence of need, schools (following JCQ regulations) require evidence of the student’s "[normal way of working]" in the classroom. The report acts as supporting evidence to help the SENCo determine appropriate arrangements. It is best practice for assessors to work closely with the school to ensure report recommendations align with school support and exam accommodations.
-
Following an assessment you will receive a full report within 2-3 weeks with the opportunity to arrange a phone call or meeting to discuss the outcomes.
Dyslexia
Recently a new definition of dyslexia has been agreed following the publication of The Dyslexia Delphi Study which aimed to establish a consensus view from a wide range of experts. It has been agreed and adopted by all key bodies including the British Dyslexia Association (BDA), the Specific Learning Difficulties Assessment Standards Committee (SASC) and the Professional Association of Teachers of Students with Specific Learning Difficulties (PATOSS).
Dyslexia Definition
Nature
The nature and developmental trajectory of dyslexia depend on multiple genetic and environmental influences.
Manifestation
Dyslexia is a set of processing difficulties that affect the acquisition of reading and spelling. The most commonly observed cognitive impairment in dyslexia is a difficulty in phonological processing (i.e. in phonological awareness, phonological processing speed or phonological memory). However, phonological difficulties do not fully explain the variability that is observed. Working memory, processing speed and orthographic skills can contribute to the impact of dyslexia.
Impact
In dyslexia, some or all aspects of literacy attainment are weak in relation to age, standard teaching and instruction, and level of other attainments. Across languages and age groups, difficulties in reading fluency and spelling are a key marker of dyslexia.
Variance and co-occurrence
Dyslexic difficulties exist on a continuum and can be experienced to various degrees of severity. Dyslexia can affect the acquisition of other skills, such as mathematics, reading comprehension or learning another language. Dyslexia frequently co-occurs with one or more other developmental difficulties, including developmental language disorder, dyscalculia, ADHD, and developmental coordination disorder.
Reference: Carroll, J.M., Holden, C., Kirby, P., Thompson, P.A., Snowling, M.J. (2025), Toward a consensus on dyslexia: findings from a Delphi study. J Child Psychol Psychiatr. https://doi.org/10.1111/jcpp.14123.