Diagnostic assessment services that facilitate strength-based approaches in action

  • Full SpLD / Dyslexia Diagnostic Assessment - University / HE Student

    Full SpLD / Dyslexia Diagnostic Assessment - University / HE Student

    Info
Item 1 of 4

Diagnostic Assessment

A diagnostic assessment will provide a detailed picture of how an individual processes information, identifying both strengths and challenges and so providing a way forwards, whether for an employee in the workplace or a student in education.

If you think you might have dyslexia or another form of specific learning difference (SpLD)/ neurodiversity and you would like to know for certain, or if you would simply like to know more about how you process information, a diagnostic assessment will give you the answers. Alternatively, you might need a new assessment if your previous one was a long time ago, or if you are in a new situation, for example, you are entering university, (please see our University / Higher Education page ) or if you will be taking professional examinations at work (please see our Neurodiversity in the Workplace page).

By coming to us, you are assured of a quality assessment and report. All our assessors are highly qualified, experienced and skilled as well as being friendly and encouraging to work with.

Our diagnostic assessments will identify whether there is evidence for dyslexia, dyspraxia (or Developmental Coordination Disorder – DCD), attention deficit (hyperactivity) disorder (ADHD) non-medical diagnosis, or other type of neurodivergent profile.

The identification of ADHD in this assessment is to provide evidence for educational or workplace support. It is a non-medical diagnosis and therefore does not provide access to medication.

We also offer full dyslexia diagnostic assessments for children aged 8 and upwards (please see our School page).

What does an assessment involve?

The diagnostic assessment provides detailed information about the individual’s particular profile, identifying personal strengths as well as the challenges. It looks at general cognitive abilities, for example, verbal skills, memory, perception and various types of processing, as well as literacy skills. The assessment will also consider other factors that impact learning and performance, for example, emotional or environmental factors.

We would gather background information on developmental, educational and/or occupational history via a straightforward questionnaire in advance of the appointment. A detailed report, with recommendations is provided. The assessment report is written in a clear and accessible way so it can be easily understood.

Getting an Assessment

When there is an understanding of neurodiversity in the workplace, it enables employees and organisations to improve performance and productivity. In education, understanding and awareness enables students to thrive.

College and University

For students at College and University, our assessment reports include recommendations for specific assessment / examination adjustments, as well as for approaches to academic work appropriate for this higher level of study.

For a student in Higher Education, or about to enter Higher Education, our assessment reports can be used to apply for the Disabled Student’s Allowance (DSA).  All our assessors have current practising certificates through their professional bodies and are licensed to carry out such assessments.  Our assessment reports follow all the guidelines of the SpLD Assessments Standards Committee (SASC – www.sasc.org.uk), the body which sets the best practice guidelines for diagnostic assessment in the UK.

The DSA funding provides additional financial help for students in Higher Education who have dyslexia or related specific learning difficulties. It can provide the funding for individual specialist study skills tuition as well as the purchase of specialist software and equipment.

Further details about the DSA are available on the ‘directgov’ website. A booklet called ‘Bridging the Gap’, a guide to the Disabled Students’ Allowance, can be downloaded from the Student Finance NI website.

Primary, Secondary and School Sixth Form

For those at school / college, we include specific recommendations for examination adjustments as appropriate for the level of study for the student.  For those taking examinations under the Joint Council of Qualifications (JCQ) regulations, for example, GCSE or A levels, we would need to receive information from the School / College in advance of the assessment.  Parents should contact the Neurodiversity Achievement office and we will explain the process.

Workplace Assessment Routes

Employees with a specific learning difference (SpLD) such as dyslexia and dyspraxia can ask their employer for adjustments to support them in their work.

A common route for gaining adjustments is for the employee to gain a full diagnostic assessment report, normally supported by Human Resources (HR) which is followed by a Workplace Needs Assessment (WPA), which is a discussion with the employee and the manager/s exploring the specific requirements needed by the employee to enable them to carry out their work efficiently.

Frequently Asked Questions:

  • A definitive diagnosis of dyslexia for any individual requires a full diagnostic assessment to be carried out by a competent and suitably qualified professional. Dyslexia is not a medical condition; a diagnostic assessment for dyslexia is not covered by the National Health Service (NHS).

  • A diagnostic assessment is the only way that dyslexia can be formally identified. We pride ourselves on providing people with an empowering and enabling assessment experience. We achieve this through increasing your understanding of why you are experiencing certain challenges alongside how to fully harness your unique set of strengths. An increased self- awareness combined with a recognition of cognitive differences can be an incredibly empowering experience. The recommendations we provide will enable you to adopt new strategies and techniques to increase your performance which not only leads to an increased self – esteem but often far-reaching positive change.

    If you are a university student, please note that our assessment reports provide evidence required to apply to your university or to Student Finance England (SFE) for the disabled students’ allowance (DSA). The assessment will provide a clear picture of your cognitive profile and your strengths and challenges which will help to ensure that any support put in place is as effective as possible.

    If you are an employee in the workplace, please note that a common route to gaining adjustments in the workplace is for the employee to obtain a full diagnostic assessment report, normally supported by the Human Resources (HR) department within their organisation which is followed by a Workplace Needs Assessment (WPA).

  • You will need to have had a standard eye test within the last two years, you can request an eye test at pharmacies and opticians.

    We would gather background information on developmental, educational and/or occupational history via a straightforward questionnaire for you to complete in advance of the appointment.

  • The diagnostic assessment provides detailed information about the individual’s particular profile, identifying personal strengths as well as the challenges. Our diagnostic assessments involve exploring a range of skills and cognitive processing capabilities. It looks at general cognitive abilities, for example, verbal skills, memory, perception and various types of processing. The assessment will also consider other factors that impact learning and performance, for example, emotional or environmental factors.

  • Our diagnostic assessments involve exploring a range of skills and cognitive processing capabilities. Following an assessment, a report will be produced detailing the nature and severity of any difficulties identified, as well as making recommendations that build upon your strengths as a basis of how best to support you moving forward.

    A detailed report with personalised recommendations is provided. The assessment report is written in a clear and accessible way so it can be easily understood. The report is designed to enable you to develop more effective strategies as well as enable you to access reasonable adjustments such as exam access arrangements for any training you may gain within education and/or the workplace.

  • We are not able to change your diagnostic outcome as this is an evidenced-based judgement made by an experienced and suitably qualified specialist assessor.

    We normally encourage people to discuss any concerns they may have about some of the sensitive information they have shared and may not wish to have included in their report with the assessor on the day.

    However, should you require your report to be permanently deleted; or for changes/corrections made to it, please notify us at: reports@neurodiversityachievement.co.uk

  • Our diagnostic assessments explore dyslexia and cooccurring SpLDs; this includes attention deficit (hyperactivity) disorder (ADHD) in adults (post 18) for the purpose of educational or workplace support. If you have difficulties with your attention and concentration, this can be explored during an assessment and recommendations can be given for any support required within education or the workplace. Please note that this would not be a medical diagnosis of ADHD, and no advice can be given regarding medication or medical management.

    If you have a current diagnosed mental health condition this can affect the test results, and the assessor may not be able to make a definitive diagnosis of characteristics of ADHD for educational or workplace support.

  • Our diagnostic assessments explore dyslexia and cooccurring SpLDs; this includes dyspraxia / DCD (post 16). If you have difficulties with your physical coordination, this can be explored during an assessment.

    We cannot assess you for dyspraxia / DCD if you have any other known motor difficulties or a confirmed diagnosis affecting motor skills such as Cerebral Palsy, Tourette’s syndrome, Muscular Dystrophy, Parkinson’s Disease, Multiple Sclerosis, Motor Neurone Disease, stroke (CVA), Huntingdon’s chorea.

    If your physical coordination has deteriorated over the last 12 months, you would need to see your GP.

  • We are specialists in dyslexia and do not offer assessments for autism. An assessment for autism will fall under the remit of other specialists and concerns should be discussed with your GP.

    Useful websites for information, advice and guidance are:
    National Autistic Society (autism.org.uk)
    Signs of autism - NHS (www.nhs.uk)

  • You need to be fluent in spoken English and able to read, write and spell in English to be assessed for dyslexia. If English is not your first language, we normally recommend that you have been learning English or taught in English for at least seven years before an assessment. The assessor will need to know when you started to learn English so they can determine the impact this may have on your assessment results.

    Please note that if an assessment is carried out before you are fluent in English, the assessor may not be able to make a definitive diagnosis of dyslexia. This would mean another assessment may need to be conducted at a later date, with additional charges for you and your organisation.

  • If you experience visual stress, we may not be able to assess you for dyslexia, but we can often assess you for cooccurring SpLDs such as dyspraxia / DCD and characteristics of ADHD.

    If you are experiencing visual disturbances which impact on your day-to-day activities, please get a check for visual stress before your assessment. You can do this through the Institute of Optometry www.ioo.org.uk or the British Association of Behavioural Optometrists www.babo.co.uk You cannot be tested for dyslexia if you have a diagnosed eye condition.

  • If you may have hearing loss, we recommend that you get your hearing tested before your assessment. You can request a free hearing test at pharmacies and opticians. This is recommended as the assessment will involve verbal tasks designed to establish your ability to manipulate spoken sounds within speech. Unfortunately, we cannot assess you for dyslexia if you are deaf.