Services

What is Dyslexia?

Dyslexia is a Specific Learning Difficulty (SpLD) that impacts a person's ability to read and spell. The experience of Dyslexia is different for everyone, however, it is agreed that there are a common set of traits that can be identified by specialist assessors and lead to diagnosis.

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Earlier this year (2025), a group of Dyslexia experts and specialists agreed a new definition of Dyslexia. This definition has now been adopted the British Dyslexia Association (BDA), the Professional Association of Teachers of Students with Specific Learning Difficulties (PATOSS), and the organisation which oversees Dyslexia assessment - the SpLD Assessment Standards Committee (SASC).

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Dyslexia Assessment with Adult Dyslexia Services

The assessment process begins with a conversation to understand what you experience day-to-day that could be signs of Dyslexia. This is followed by an in-depth questionnaire which asks you about your background, your history of education and work, and an evaluation of your skills such as reading, writing and spelling. There are specific conditions (defined by SASC) which need to be met before the assessment can go ahead. These will be discussed at the initial conversation.

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Once these conditions have been met, you will then undergo a series of standardised tests that will measure reasoning ability, how your brain processes and responds to different types of information, and skills such as reading, writing and spelling. This will take around 3-4 hours, including breaks, but this can be flexible to ensure the best approach for you. This can take place online, at the Adult Dyslexia Service (ADS) office in Chippenham, Wiltshire, or at your home, place of study or work. Assessments conducted outside the ADS office will incur additional charges.

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After your assessment, you will receive a final report that explains what was discovered during the assessment. A diagnosis is not guaranteed. However, all outcomes will lead to recommendations, including suggestions for onward referrals, if appropriate. We will then have a final conversation to discuss the findings of the report and possible next steps.

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Cost

• Full dyslexia assessment - £495

• Veteran/Blue Light discount - £395

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Please see the Terms and Conditions for additional costs.

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What are the benefits of a dyslexia diagnosis?

Having a full diagnostic assessment can finally bring clarity to the difficulties experienced by a person in learning, in work and in life, and help you to enhance your strengths. It also means you are protected by the Equality Act 2010 and may be able to access additional support in your place of education and/or work.

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My qualifcation allows me to diagnose people over the age of 16 - the ideal time to prepare for Further Education, Higher Education, and the work place. I also hold an Assessement Practising Certificate (APC) in addition to Associate Membership of the British Dyslexia Association (AMBDA), which means the diagnostic report can be used as evidence for Disabled Students Allowance (DSA). This benefit can be used by students attending university (undergraduate and postgraduate) to pay for resources and additional help.

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