Screening & Assessment
This page explains the difference between a screening (also called an ‘assessment of need’) and a full diagnostic assessment to help you decide which you may want to pursue. In both cases, background questionnaires will be completed by the parent(s)/carer(s) and teacher(s) if at school or the individual themselves, if they are an adult.
Screening (Assessment of Need)
Includes:
Gathering background information from parents/carers and teachers (if under 16) or the individual (if post-16) prior to the screener (discussions and/or questionnaires)
In-person tasks that take approximately 2 – 2.5 hours, to identify evidence of dyslexic and/or dyscalculic indicators
Option for a post-screening discussion with the child or young person’s SENDCo, teacher and parent(s)/carer(s), or with the adult themselves on the day of the screening on location
Report that identifies gaps in skills and knowledge and provides recommendations for how these can be addressed/supported at home and school/work
Supports the design of focused interventions and monitoring of progress
The SEND Code of Practice (0-25) (gov.uk, 2015) recommends that the identification of need should be carried out as early as possible, to inform appropriate support and prevent the cumulative effect that happens when early needs are not addressed.
A screening (assessment of need) may be undertaken remotely (online); a full diagnostic assessment (see below) cannot.
Best for:
Schools and workplaces wanting specific information about an individual’s strengths and difficulties with guidance on how to support them in school/work.
Individuals who are unable to attend an assessment in person (such as no access to a qualified assessor in their area or a disability that means they are unable to travel)
Individuals to inform a decision regarding whether they would benefit from a full diagnostic assessment
Fees:
Dyslexia screening: £250
Dyscalculia screening/assessment of need: £300
Joint dyslexia and dyscalculia screening: £450
Diagnostic Assessment
Includes:
Gathering background information from parents/carers and teachers (if under 16) or the individual (if post-16) prior to the assessment (discussions and/or questionnaires)
A ‘social story’ for any primary school pupils or secondary school students with additional needs, to explain what they can expect during the assessment
Comprehensive psychometric assessment that provides a diagnostic outcome (note: an assessment may lead to a diagnosis of no evidence of dyslexia/dyscalculia) and additional tasks to supplement findings
Dyslexia assessments take approximately 3 hours, dyscalculia assessments take approximately 4-5 hours, joint assessments take approximately 5 hours (dyscalculia and joint assessments are normally scheduled over two sessions, a week apart)
Phone or video call with the individual (if post-16) or the parent(s)/carer(s) (if pre-16) to discuss findings
A phone or video call with the pre-16 child and their parent(s)/carer(s) to share the findings in a child-friendly way
Option for a post-assessment discussion with SENDCo and parent(s)/carer(s) or with the adult and their employer if requested (in person or virtual meeting)
Draft report sent securely to check for accuracies in background information section (this is not an opportunity to negotiate interpretation of testing or diagnostic outcomes)
Final and comprehensive report that explains the outcomes of all standardised tests and qualitative information, and provides confirmation of a diagnostic decision with recommendations for how the individual can be supported at home and school/work
Best for:
An individual wanting insight into the reasons for their learning difficulties
A comprehensive, personalised report that can be used throughout the individual’s lifetime
Evidence for Disabled Students Allowance (DSA)
Fees:
Dyslexia assessment: £500
Dyscalculia assessment: £650
Joint dyslexia and dyscalculia assessment: £1000
‘Top-Up’ Assessment
For three months from having a screening with AEDDS, you will be eligible for a ‘top-up’ diagnostic assessment. This means that you will only pay the difference between the screening and the diagnostic assessment fees. After three months you will not be eligible for this, because the tests will need to be readministered.
Top-Up Fees:
Dyslexia ‘top-up’ assessment: £250
Dyscalculia ‘top-up’ assessment: £350
Joint dyslexia and dyscalculia ‘top-up’ assessment: £550
If a full diagnostic assessment for dyslexia has been undertaken previously, it may be possible to have a ‘top-up’ dyscalculia assessment. This can only be decided after sight of the full dyslexia report.