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There is an additional cost if the assessment takes place in school as I have to factor in travelling time and expenses. The assessment also takes up more time in my diary as I have to accomodate the structure of the school day. I am available during weekends and school holidays for a lower price.
Some individuals report visual discomfort when reading, which can include:
These symptoms can have a range of causes, including undiagnosed vision issues or visual processing difficulties. Because some may indicate underlying medical or visual conditions, they must be assessed by a qualified optometrist or vision specialist.
While I am not an optometrist, I offer a non-diagnostic exploratory coloured overlay trial using a standard screening kit (similar to those used in schools). This is simply to see whether a coloured overlay may reduce discomfort during reading.
Please note:
This is not a diagnostic test for visual stress (Meares-Irlen Syndrome) and should not be viewed as a substitute for a professional eye examination. If significant symptoms are present or if overlays seem helpful, I strongly recommend a referral to a qualified optometrist (preferably one experienced in visual stress or behavioural optometry).
The earlier a child with dyslexia is diagnosed, the more effective educational interventions are likely to be, but identifying dyslexia in young children can be difficult for both parents and teachers because the signs and symptoms are not always obvious. Diagnostic assessments can be completed after a child's 8th birthday. This is because of the stamina and resilience needed to complete the activities and follows SASC (SpLD Assessment Standards Council) guidelines. If you're concerned about your child's progress with reading and writing, first talk to their teacher or SENCO and discuss your concerns and ask about any interventions that may have already been tried. If your child does not have any obvious underlying health problems (vision problems, hearing problems) to explain their learning difficulties, it may be that they're not responding very well to the teaching method and a different approach may be needed.
If there are still concerns about your child's progress after they have received additional teaching and support, but they are still below the age of 8, it may be a good idea to have a KS1 Literacy Assessment for Intervention and Monitoring. This can be carried out by Sarah at Dyslexia Coventry. She'll be able to support you, your child and your child's teachers by helping to improve the understanding of your child's learning difficulties and suggesting interventions that may help them, before, perhaps, moving to a full diagnostic assessment at a later date.