Dyslexia & Literacy Assessments for Children
Understand your child’s reading and learning needs with a professional assessment
If your child is struggling with reading, spelling, or writing, it can be hard to know whether it’s a normal part of learning or a sign of something more specific like dyslexia. A private dyslexia assessment gives you clear answers, helping you and your child’s school understand their learning profile and what support will help them thrive.
We provide dyslexia and literacy assessments across the UK, available both online and in person. Each assessment is carried out by Dr Abigail Wilson, HCPC-registered Educational Psychologist, with a detailed report suitable for schools, parents, and local authority applications.
👉 Book a Dyslexia Assessment today:
📧 contact@ballooneducationalpsychology.com | 📞 [Insert Phone Number]
What Is a Dyslexia Assessment?
A dyslexia assessment explores how a child processes, remembers, reads, and writes information. It looks beyond simple reading tests to understand the underlying skills that support literacy.
During the assessment, we may examine:
- Phonological processing – how a child recognises and manipulates sounds in words.
- Decoding and fluency – how quickly and accurately they can read words and text.
- Reading comprehension – how well they understand what they’ve read.
- Spelling and written expression – their ability to put thoughts into writing.
- Working memory and processing speed – key cognitive skills linked to learning.
The aim is not only to identify whether dyslexia is present, but also to highlight strengths and difficulties so that teaching strategies can be tailored effectively.
Why Choose a Private Dyslexia Assessment?
Parents often find that school or NHS routes for dyslexia assessment can take months or even years. A private dyslexia assessment UK offers a faster, more direct way to understand your child’s needs and access support.
Benefits of a private assessment:
- Faster answers – no long waiting lists; reports delivered within weeks.
- Recognised by schools – our assessments are written to meet educational standards and can be used to inform SEN support or EHCP applications.
- Tailored recommendations – specific advice for home and school to support your child’s literacy development.
Signs Your Child May Need a Dyslexia Assessment
Every child learns differently, but some signs may suggest that a dyslexia assessment could be helpful:
- Difficulty reading age-appropriate texts fluently.
- Frequent spelling mistakes, even with simple or common words.
- Struggles to follow sequences of instructions.
- Avoids reading or writing tasks and becomes frustrated.
- Works hard but shows a gap between effort and results.
- Low confidence in literacy despite strengths in other areas.
If you notice these patterns at home or school, a formal assessment can provide clarity and direction.
How the Assessment Works
We aim to make the assessment process clear, supportive, and child-friendly.
Step 1: Initial Consultation
We start with a meeting with parents to discuss concerns, school reports, and your child’s learning history.
Step 2: Assessment Activities
Your child completes interactive tasks exploring memory, processing, reading, and writing skills. These are adapted to their age and ability, ensuring the experience is as positive as possible.
Step 3: Information Gathering
Where needed, we gather input from teachers or school staff to build a fuller picture of your child’s strengths and difficulties.
Step 4: Written Report
You receive a detailed, independent report including results, a clear explanation, and practical recommendations for both school and home.
Step 5: Next Steps and Support
We provide guidance on interventions, resources, and whether further steps (such as an EHCP application) may be appropriate.
What Happens After the Assessment?
A dyslexia diagnosis is just the starting point. Our reports include dyslexia support strategies that can make a real difference to your child’s learning and confidence. These may include:
- Literacy programmes and targeted interventions.
- Classroom strategies for teachers.
- Recommendations for exam support (such as exam access arrangements).
- Advice for supporting reading and writing at home.
The goal is to ensure your child feels supported, understood, and confident in their ability to succeed.
Dyslexia Assessment FAQs
What age can a child be assessed for dyslexia?
Children can be assessed from around 7 years old, once they’ve had some formal reading and writing instruction.
Are private dyslexia assessments recognised by schools?
Yes. Our reports are accepted by schools and can be used to inform SEN support, exam access applications, and EHCP evidence.
How much does a dyslexia assessment cost?
Please see our fees page for full details of pricing and what is included.
What is the difference between a dyslexia test and a dyslexia assessment?
Online “tests” or screeners may suggest whether dyslexia is likely, but only a full professional dyslexia assessment by an educational psychologist or specialist teacher provides a formal diagnosis and recognised recommendations.
Book a Dyslexia Assessment Today
If you’re concerned about your child’s reading, writing, or learning progress, a dyslexia and literacy assessment can provide the answers you need.
Dr Abigail Wilson, HCPC-registered Educational Psychologist, delivers independent assessments with clear, practical recommendations that schools and families can put into action straight away.
👉 Take the first step today:
📧 Email: contact@ballooneducationalpsychology.com
