Insights Dyslexia Assessment: What Is It and How Can It Help?

Learning targets and exam results can often be the focus of schools and parents, and it can be overwhelming and disheartening if your child isn’t meeting these expectations or progressing at the same pace as their peers. However, there could be an explanation for this, as between 10-20% of the population are dyslexic, and a significant proportion of these individuals remain undiagnosed. Frankie Ody, from Doodle Dyslexia Services, explores the benefits of a dyslexia assessment for children facing challenges with literacy, as well as the potential signs to look out for.

For students struggling with literacy, a dyslexia assessment is a useful first step to understand the potential barriers to learning that may be hindering their progress. A dyslexia assessment can help to uncover the reasons behind a student’s struggles and for the student, this can be a transformative experience, offering a significant boost to their self-esteem and providing clarity on why certain aspects of learning feel more challenging.

Dyslexia is not a ‘one size fits all’ learning difficulty; it exists on a continuum and affects individuals across a range of intellectual abilities. What one dyslexic person may find easy; another may find a challenge. In early childhood, difficulties can often be masked, leading to missed signs, and symptoms can also evolve over time in response to environmental factors, curriculum demands, and expectations. Dyslexic individuals are often described as having a ‘spiky profile’ meaning they exhibit both areas of strength and areas of difficulty.

​An assessment is beneficial for all those involved in a child’s educational journey, enabling them to gain deeper insight into the student’s unique learning style. The assessment report offers a comprehensive analysis of the student’s strengths and challenges, regardless of whether dyslexia is diagnosed. Additionally, it includes personalised recommendations to promote progress through specialised teaching methods and practical strategies to support learning at home.

Introducing Doodle Dyslexia Services

Frankie Ody is an experienced and established teacher, having worked in the education sector for the past 12 years. She has dedicated her career to supporting children facing literacy challenges, as well as their families.

Frankie provides thorough assessments for children and delivers detailed diagnostic reports. These reports, which can then be shared with tutors, schools, and other educational institutions offer valuable insights into how best to support the student, highlighting both areas of strength and areas for improvement. For learners who are struggling, early identification of the challenges they face – along with understanding that there is often a ‘reason’ behind their difficulties – can be the key to building confidence and unlocking their full potential.

Frankie believes that each child’s wellbeing is of utmost importance, and central to her philosophy is fostering curiosity and encouraging children to explore the world around them. Frankie offers a calm and friendly assessment experience that helps students feel at ease, ensuring that all students are given every opportunity to thrive.

Potential Signs and Symptoms

It is important to note that a diagnostic assessment is needed for a formal diagnosis of dyslexia. It is not as simple as checking off a list of symptoms; however, the persistence of several of the signs mentioned below, may indicate the need for further investigation.

Literacy-based difficulties include:

• Limited or no expression when reading aloud
• Difficulties blending letters together when reading
• Hesitant to read aloud
• Frequently omits or adds words when reading aloud
• Struggles to comprehend and summarise what has been read
• Letter and number reversals when writing
• When spelling, the letters are jumbled in the wrong order or missed out
• Confusion over similar looking letters
• Written work may take longer to complete and often does not reflect the student’s oral abilities, appearing simpler in comparison
• Written work may be messy, with frequent crossings-outs and multiple attempts at spelling the same word
• The same word may be spelt differently in the same piece of writing
• Difficulty with punctuation and grammar

Other areas that may be affected:

• Trouble remembering times tables or the alphabet
• Poor concentration
• Uses work avoidance tactics
• Excessive tiredness
• Difficulty with tasks like tying shoelaces or getting dressed
• Confusion between left and right, and seems to have a poor sense of direction
• Needs instructions repeated and struggles with multi-step instructions
• Poor organisation and time management
• Memory difficulties
• Low self-esteem
• Inconsistent performance, with some days being better than others for no apparent reason
• Difficulty with sequences, such as days of the week, months of the year, or numbers

If you recognise several of these difficulties, please don’t worry. Early identification is key, as it allows your child to access the support they need. It’s advisable to consider an assessment as this will enable further investigation. Whether your child is dyslexic, or there are other underlying reasons, an assessment will help pinpoint strengths and weaknesses and provide tailored recommendations for support.

For more information on dyslexia assessments, please contact Frankie Ody at info@doodledyslexiaservices.co.uk or visit the website at www.doodledyslexiaservices.co.uk.