Tammy Jeanes Dyslexia Services
Dyslexia Assessments
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I specialise in full diagnostic assessments for children (aged 7 and 16 years)
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Providing a diagnosis of dyslexia, if appropriate.
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Recommendations to support school, exams and home.
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Why Assess
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An assessment usually stems from parent concerns about their child’s learning and a motivation to find the underlying reasons for their children not achieving their true potential. A wide range of information is considered to gain a holistic view of the different factors that may influence a child’s learning.
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First Steps
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Initial chat - I am happy to discuss your child's needs to help you decide if an assessment is appropriate.
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Questionnaires - Prior to the assessment, it is helpful for me to gain a holistic view of your child’s learning so please complete a family questionnaire and ask the school to complete a school questionnaire.
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Date - Assessments are usually booked a few weeks in advance to allow time for the questionnaires to be completed.
Eye Test - It is a professional requirement to have had an eye test within two years of the assessment.
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Timings
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Assessments take between 2 and 3 hours with short breaks, as needed. Activities are short and varied and most children find the experience fun and the time passes quickly. Initial feedback and thoughts are given following the assessment and an in-depth report is sent within 3 weeks.
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Validity
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Reports are compliant with the latest SASC guidelines and include a diagnosis of dyslexia, where appropriate.​​
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Cost
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A full diagnostic assessment and comprehensive report with recommendations costs £600. ​​
Report
Diagnosis
Reports include:
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An overview of the assessment. (This is a useful, stand alone 2-3 page summary to show busy school SENCo's or class teachers)
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A summary of background information.
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Interpretation of all test results and an explanation of how any strengths and weaknesses discovered affect learning. Core areas examined include:
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General ability,
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Cognitive processing skills (e.g. phonological awareness, phonological memory, phonological processing and processing speed)
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Attainments (e.g. reading, spelling and writing).
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A table of scores (Useful when accompanied with the overview section to show teachers throughout your child’s schooling.)
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Personalised supportive recommendations are provided for:
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The classroom,
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Home,
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Specialist teachers,
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Access arrangements for exams are suggested, if appropriate,
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Onward referrals are suggested, if appropriate.
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A list of each standardised test used within the assessment, including a description of skills being tested. ​
At times it may not be possible to offer a clear-cut diagnosis of dyslexia. However, a comprehensive report will be given, noting areas of strength and weakness with detailed recommendations of support. If necessary, details of other professionals will be given, such as occupational therapist, behavioural optometrist or speech and language therapists.
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On the Day...
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- Where will the assessment take place?
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Most assessments take place in my home in Shalford. I can go into schools if they are
happy to have me.
I have a current DBS and have been working with children for many years.
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Assessments are usually carried out in a 1:1 environment so
once your child has settled, I ask that you wait in your car or run some errands.
I am a 5-minute drive from Guildford Town Centre and Snooty Fox Coffee Shop is a 3-minute walk away.
Prior to the assessment I will ask for a mobile number that you will be contactable on throughout the assessment. I will call or text you to let you know if we finish early or if we need a little more time.
I regularly assessed within Surrey, including Guildford, Godalming, Bramley, Cranleigh, Woking, Aldershot, Walton on Thames, Weybridge, Dorking and/or Reigate areas.
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- Do I need anything?
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Please bring anything which they usually use in class, such as glasses or coloured overlays. You are welcome to send snacks and a water bottle.
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- Feedback
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After the assessment, some time is available for feedback, initial thoughts, and any questions you may have. If you prefer your child not to be present, they are welcome to play in my garden and/or meet my dogs. Alternatively, a Zoom call could be arranged at a suitable time.
The full report, including a diagnosis when possible, will be emailed within 3 weeks, although it is usually much sooner.
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- Will I always receive a diagnosis of dyslexia?
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At times it may not possible to offer a clear-cut diagnosis of dyslexia. However, a comprehensive report will be given, noting areas of strength and weakness with detailed recommendations to support your child at home, in school and with a specialist teacher, if available. If necessary, details of other professionals will be given or onward referral, such as occupational therapist, behavioural optometrist or speech and language therapists.
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- Who receives the report?
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The report is sent to parents, unless I have permission to send it to school.
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- How can I pay?
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I ask for a deposit of £100 at the time of booking to secure the date. The balance is payable on, or before, the assessment day. Most people make payments via bank transfer. Please add your child’s name as the reference. I'm happy to accept cash or cheque, if you prefer. A link can be sent for credit card payments and there may be a small charge.
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- What if I need to reschedule or cancel?
If you are unable to make the assessment, you may reschedule without incurring charges. The deposit will move to the newly agreed date. Please can you let me have as much notice as possible, so I am able to offer the appointment to another family.
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If the session is cancelled within 7 days of the assessment date, or you do not arrive on the day, the deposit will not be refunded
and 50% of the remaining fee will be payable (£250).
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General...
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- Is my child too young for an assessment?
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In general, I assess learners from 7.5 years old. Primarily to ensure learning difficulties are not due to developmental delays and to give learners time to respond to interventions. However, there are circumstances when an earlier diagnosis may be appropriate. I am happy to discuss your concerns.
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- Can you identify other difficulties?
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Specific learning difficulties is a general term and may include dyslexia, dyspraxia, dysgraphia, ADHD, speech and/or language difficulties.
My specialism, and passion, is dyslexia, however, I am able to identify co-occurring difficulties, suggest recommendations to support them and when appropriate refer onto the relevant specialist, such as occupational therapists, behavioural optometrists, CAMHS, GP’s or educational psychologists.
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- How can I ensure my child gets help in exams?
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Access Arrangements are reasonable adjustments used in class and during exams. They aim to place the learner on a level playing field, giving them fair access to exams and the opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge, skills and understanding to achieve their full potential. They do not give the learner an unfair advantage or undermine the integrity of the exam paper. They must be the learner’s normal way of working and it is ultimately the school’s responsibility and/or decision to decide what access arrangements to apply for.
Within a diagnostic report appropriate access arrangement will be suggested for the school SENCO to consider. The recommendations are based on quantitative and qualitative evidence gained during the assessment session and will help you to know what your child is eligible for.
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- Do you work for schools?
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Yes, I'm happy to go into a school if it is helpful. I am also qualified to assess for access arrangements.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Diagnostic Assessments
I’ve tried to answer questions I receive often, but feel free to contact me for clarification, or to discuss anything dyslexia related.
E-mail is the best method as I am often out and about assessing (info@tammyjeanes.com).