Can I Get a Dyslexia Assessment For Free on the NHS or via the School?

If you’re in the UK and you suspect that you (or your child) is dyslexic, you may be hoping to secure a dyslexia assessment for free, funded by the state.

Is dyslexia assessment free on the NHS?

No. Unfortunately, dyslexia is not considered a medical issue, so you cannot get an NHS-funded dyslexia assessment or diagnosis.

Is dyslexia assessment free for children via their school?

Yes, in theory, if you think your child has dyslexia, you can request a dyslexia assessment be carried out (and funded) by their school.

However, we’re all aware of the current strain on the UK school system, so unfortunately, the reality of the situation isn’t as simple as “ask for a dyslexia assessment and get one immediately”.

Waiting lists for publicly-funded dyslexia assessment in the UK

Waiting lists for publicly-funded dyslexia assessment are long.

Some patient parents sit on waiting lists for years and years, until they are told that the next school should do it. But the next school say that, if it had been appropriate, the previous school would have done it, so it never gets done. Colleges are sometimes more open to assessing, but a great deal of good may have been done if schools would have had the perfect plan.   

Some counties in the UK decide that a child must be three years’ behind their true age in terms of learning before they will proceed with a dyslexia assessment. (For clever, “compensating” children, who nonetheless have dyslexia, this may mean they never qualify for dyslexia assessment.)

Other counties in the UK have a policy to avoid spending their budget carrying out a full dyslexia assessment that would involve a diagnosis. Their (flawed?) argument is that it is unfair if only some children get diagnosed and so it would be better if none did. And that, if every lesson from every teacher is taught in a dyslexia-friendly way, then no child should need an assessment because they would be already getting their needs met. This is a beautiful idea, but as an ex-teacher, Holly Swinton worries that this is, at best, wishful thinking and, at worst, leaves teachers overwhelmed, children sad, and parents baffled.

A formal dyslexia assessment via the school isn’t a guarantee

It’s important to be aware that, even if you request a full, formal dyslexia assessment, you may be offered a less rigorous alternative instead.

Most schools prefer to spend their (limited) special educational needs budget on other (more disruptive) additional needs, interventions, exam arrangements and assistive technology, rather than on testing. This is understandable, but it can be frustrating for parents.

As a result, the kind of dyslexia assessments you get in school tend to vary a great deal. They are often quick computer screeners, which are far from comprehensive and do not provide a formally-recognised diagnosis.

Alternatively, an Educational Psychologist may be involved, but often he/she simply looks at your child’s books, observes them in class, sometimes not even administering a handful of tests (and certainly not the full spectrum of tests from a real dyslexia assessment).

Make sure to check whether your child is getting definitive dyslexia testing or just a progress check.

Remember that you need a full, formal dyslexia assessment for access to the Disabled Students’ Allowance at university and protections at work, if they want to declare their dyslexia.

The differences between private and publicly-funded dyslexia assessments

The short answer is: there’s no difference between a private and public-funded dyslexia assessment, apart from who pays!

This can have an enormous effect on the recommendations suggested: whoever pays the piper calls the tune. Does the school continue to employ an assessor who makes too many recommendations or suggests things that need extra budget, even if they are exactly what that child needs?

A full, formal dyslexia assessment, from either a Special Dyslexia Assessor or a Chartered Educational Psychologist, is exactly the same – similar tests, same rigour – regardless of whether it’s state-funded or you pay out of your own pocket. You’ll also end up with the same definitive diagnosis and official report that can be used for exam accommodations, Disabled Students’ Allowance, or workplace accommodations.

Usually, it comes down to how quickly you require the dyslexia assessment and diagnosis, and how willing you are to navigate a bureaucratic public system.

Why opt for a private dyslexia assessment instead of a school dyslexia assessment?

Most people opt for a private dyslexia assessment because they want the certainty of a diagnosis now, rather than years from now.

It may be that your child has GCSE or A-Level exams coming up and needs formally-recognised exam allowances in place for their dyslexia. It may be that they’re heading to university and want to access the Disabled Students’ Allowances with a dyslexia diagnosis.

Perhaps you’re a working adult and you’d like workplace allowances for your dyslexia codified as soon as possible, or you’re a manager looking to support a dyslexic employee quickly and efficiently.

In addition to the issue of a ticking clock, many people prefer to choose their own Specialist Dyslexia Assessor, rather than end up with an assessor who may make the experience stressful and unpleasant.

For example, many of Holly Swinton’s clients come to her for Specialist Dyslexia Assessment because she is able to make the dyslexia assessment process feel positive, pleasant, and even fun (yes, really). Clients have described her as “enthusiastic”, “encouraging”, and “supportive”.  Because she remembers her own assessment as a negative, humiliating one, crying twice, she is determined to make it as useful, positive, transformational and empowering as possible for those who put their trust in her. 

Will your child’s school accept a private dyslexia assessment?

Since a private dyslexia assessment, carried out by a Specialist Dyslexia Assessor, is identical to one funded through the school system, your child’s school should accept its findings in exactly the same way they’d accept a publicly-funded one.

However, it is occasionally the case that a school will only accept the recommendations of dyslexia assessments they carry out themselves, therefore it needs parents to be tenacious in asking for exactly the things their child needs, once they know.

For peace of mind, you are advised to check with your child’s school first, before contracting for a private dyslexia assessment with someone like Holly Swinton. Many schools have a list of assessors locally that they recommend and often SENCOs will give out Holly’s details as someone they have seen do good work for other struggling pupils in their care. 

Learn more about the private dyslexia assessment services that Holly Swinton provides.