About Holly Swinton, Specialist Dyslexia Assessor
Holly Swinton is a Specialist Dyslexia Assessor, with over ten years’ experience of providing private dyslexia assessment, testing and diagnosis across the counties of Oxfordshire, Warwickshire, West Midlands, Somerset, Gloucestershire, Wiltshire and beyond.
Holly is a graduate of Royal Holloway-University of London, Bath Spa University, and Edge Hill University. She lives in the Cotswolds and works all over England. (Find out if she may be able to come to you.)
She started her career as a primary school teacher, teaching children from Reception to Year Six. After leaving the teaching profession, she established a tutoring business. In the process, she developed tried-and-tested ways to help under-achieving children progress to the top of the class.
Dyslexia quickly emerged as her specialism. Keen to do more to help dyslexic children and adults, she undertook training with the BDA (British Dyslexia Association), Helen Arkell Centre, PATOSS, the NHA (National Handwriting Association), and masters-level study to become a Specialist Dyslexia Assessor, graduating with a PGCert SpLD (Dyslexia) qualification. She is fully DBS-checked.
She also has extra training in visual distortion, neurodevelopment, dyscalculia, maths difficulties, auditory processing, ADHD, exam arrangements, ARFID, autism, sensory processing, glue ear and speech and language issues.
Holly is not just a dyslexia assessor. She is an author, public speaker, and media commentator, raising awareness around the subject of dyslexia. Her advocacy was recognised with a major accolade at the 2020 Dyslexia Awards.
She used her in-depth knowledge of dyslexia to author a book, Defeat Dyslexia!: The Parents’ Guide to Understanding Your Child’s Dyslexia.
Many people are surprised to learn that Holly herself is dyslexic. Her success (in academia and the world of work) provides a real source of inspiration for her clients, young and old. Read Holly’s Dyslexia Story, where she recounts what it was like for her, growing up dyslexic.
Holly is assisted by Trisha Barnes, a PA with over 20 years’ experience in administration. Trisha lives in Bristol with her teenage son, who is on the autism spectrum, and their rescue dog, Smudge.
Why Holly Swinton is the right choice for your private dyslexia screening or assessment
You may be thinking, “Aren’t all dyslexia assessors the same?” Most cost the same and have the same qualifications, so you may be thinking they’re all the same…
No, not at all.
You want a dyslexia assessor who will motivate you. Someone who will really listen. Someone who will actually help you, by answering the hardest questions and giving you a step-by-step plan.
Most dyslexia assessors won’t do this. They’ll carry out the tests and write you a report and… that’s it.
What you’re looking for is someone who’s on your team, ready to wade in and give you the help and advice that you need. That’s the real game-changer, and it can turn a situation that feels impossible into something manageable.
Here’s more detail on why Holly Swinton is far from your average dyslexia assessor:
Compassionate and positive
“Diagnosis” is a scary word, no matter your age. Adults and children (and their parents) often approach dyslexia assessment with stress and anxiety, worrying that the process will be arduous, demeaning and unpleasant.
For this reason, Holly goes to great lengths to make the dyslexia assessment process feel positive, pleasant, and even fun (yes, really). Clients have described her as “enthusiastic”, “encouraging”, and “supportive”.
Dyslexia assessment in the comfort of your own home
There’s no need to travel to a particular location for your dyslexia assessment; Holly will come to you.
For children, especially, this makes for a far more relaxed dyslexia assessment experience. Your home is where your child feels comfortable and they can have as many breaks as they need, with their toys, snacks, family, pets and games around them.
Real advice, on the day
Most people are not just looking for a “yes or no” answer on dyslexia. They want to truly understand how dyslexia intersects with their life and what type of strategies they can use to get ahead.
Unlike most dyslexia assessors, who do not offer any verbal feedback at all, Holly combines the standard testing with extensive verbal feedback and guidance on dyslexia.
Your most difficult questions, answered – finally! Holly knows that what you actually need: real answers, based on real data, in real time.
Vast knowledge base
Holly has a breadth of expertise in not just dyslexia, but also ADHD, autism, dyspraxia, dyscalculia and neurodiversity. She has a rare specialisation in handwriting (previously serving on the executive committee of the National Handwriting Association), with additional further education in auditory processing, phonics, memory, revision, and anxiety.
As an SEN author, former teacher, and former home educator, she has seen the realities of education and neurodiversity from every angle. Therefore, although Holly is only accredited to diagnose dyslexia, if your child has additional difficulties beyond dyslexia, she will be able to offer insight and signpost you to the right support.
A dyslexia assessor who’s NOT in the business of taking your money unnecessarily
Worried that you’ll pay Holly to assess your child for dyslexia and get a negative diagnosis? What a waste of money!
You’re not alone. This is a common concern.
The good news is, unlike other dyslexia assessors, Holly has structured her pricing to minimise unnecessary costs. If the problem is not dyslexia, you’ll over ever pay for the assessment itself and not the report. This amounts to about half the full amount typically charged by dyslexia assessors.
Holly will only produce (and charge you for) a dyslexia report if it’s actually helpful to you.
Still worried? Here are Holly’s recommendations:
- Take a look at our free dyslexia checklist test or read Holly’s book, Defeat Dyslexia! (downloadable as an ebook for just £1.99). This should give you a sense of whether the problem is dyslexia or not, so you’ll be able to proceed with more confidence.
- Book an Initial Dyslexia Screening (Children). This shorter, cheaper assessment can later be converted into a full (official) assessment, if appropriate. Holly also has a wider-than-normal variety of tests to try to pinpoint what issues may be underlying, which means she can offer a tailored screening instead of the typical dyslexia screening, if appropriate.
Help navigating the school SEN system
As a former teacher, Holly knows how to get the best for your child, with a report that will make their school sit up and pay attention.
Budgets, time constraints, crazy curriculum, and a feeling of “overwhelm” in a creaking school system can mean that sometimes, sadly, schools would prefer you don’t know what you are asking for.
We all know how confusing and disempowering the modern, jargon-y school reports are. As a former primary school teacher, Holly has a better understanding than most of what is possible/not possible within the system.
Her dyslexia assessment reports are completely tailored to your child and will include the best recommendations they need to succeed in school.
Strong local knowledge
With more than ten years’ experience of dyslexia assessment in Oxfordshire, Warwickshire, West Midlands, Somerset, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire, Holly knows the ins and outs of each county.
Some counties have decided not to spend their budget on diagnosing dyslexia, and so it can be near impossible to get a school to assess them. If this is the case in your county, Holly will let you know.
Because she knows her areas well and she is familiar with local professionals, Holly is well-positioned to help you navigate this terrain more efficiently, go straight to the best people, and avoid pitfalls.