Dyslexia Specialist Tutor and Asessor
Services across Greater Manchester
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Dyslexia Assessment
Dyslexia Assessments at Flourish Dyslexia
At Flourish Dyslexia, we offer full diagnostic assessments with a focus on understanding each child's unique strengths and challenges. The current cost of an assessment is £449. Assessments are suitable for children aged 8–16 and are designed to be as gentle and supportive as possible. If your child is aged 7, please get in touch to discuss whether an assessment would be appropriate at this stage.
What Is a Dyslexia Assessment?
A diagnostic assessment explores how your child processes information and learns. It can help to identify the reasons behind literacy difficulties and whether your child meets the criteria for a diagnosis of dyslexia. The assessment looks at key areas such as phonological awareness, working memory, processing speed, reading accuracy and fluency, spelling and writing skills and underlying cognitive ability.
Although commonly referred to as a dyslexia assessment, the process is more accurately described as a Specific Learning Difficulty (SpLD) assessment. This means that, while the primary focus may be on dyslexia, the assessment also considers a broader range of learning profiles. It can identify other learning differences or point towards areas where further investigation or additional support may be beneficial, such as difficulties linked to attention, memory or language skills.
Before the Assessment
Before the assessment, we ask both the parent/carer and your child’s school to complete background questionnaires. This information helps us understand your child’s history, daily experiences and any concerns. Gathering this context ensures that the assessment is as accurate, meaningful and supportive as possible.
During the Assessment
The assessment takes place in Natalie's home office and lasts around 3 hours. This may vary depending on your child’s needs, as we allow time for additional breaks if required to keep the experience relaxed and child-friendly.
After the Assessment
Following the assessment, you will receive a detailed written report, clear explanations of your child’s strengths and areas of difficulty, and a formal diagnosis of dyslexia (if criteria are met). You will also receive personalised recommendations for support at home and in school, along with practical strategies and suggestions to help your child thrive. You will also be offered a follow-up meeting or phone call to go through the report, answer your questions and discuss the next steps. Our aim is for you to leave the process feeling informed, reassured and empowered to support your child.
How to Book
To book an assessment or make an enquiry, please complete our contact form or email info@flourishdyslexia.com. We’ll be happy to discuss your needs and guide you through the next steps.
All diagnostic assessments carried out by Flourish Dyslexia include a full diagnostic report, which can be used as supporting evidence for Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) when applying to university.
Assessment Process
1. Initial contact
Get in touch with Flourish Dyslexia to arrange an initial discussion.
2. Background questionnaires
You will be asked to complete a parent/carer questionnaire and your child’s school will also be invited to complete a school questionnaire.
3. Diagnostic assessment
The assessment is carried out in-person and typically takes around 3 hours. It can be completed in one session or split over two sessions, depending on the individual’s needs.
4. Feedback
You will receive a detailed report, followed by a feedback session to discuss the results and next steps.
"The assessment picked up on things we hadn’t realised were affecting our son's learning. It’s made such a difference to understand how best to help him."
"Thank you for making the assessment such a positive experience. Everything was explained clearly and we now feel much more confident about the next steps."
"The whole process was really calm and supportive. My daughter actually enjoyed parts of the assessment, and the report has been so helpful for school and at home."
Why Seek a Diagnosis?
Parents often come to us when their child is bright and capable but struggling with reading, spelling or writing. Sometimes, children may be working hard but not making the expected progress, despite extra help and interventions. This can lead to feelings of anxiety, frustration or even avoidance of schoolwork altogether.
A diagnostic assessment can help to understand what’s happening beneath the surface, providing clarity for both the child and their family. It can ease feelings of frustration and anxiety and importantly, it helps teachers and parents to use personalised approaches that really work for the child. An assessment can also support access to additional help in school, such as reasonable adjustments and exam access arrangements. Most of all, it empowers the child to begin to understand themselves, recognising their unique learning profile in a positive and affirming way.
Our Approach
At Flourish Dyslexia, every assessment is carried out with kindness and care, building trust and connection with your child from the very beginning. We believe in celebrating the diversity of how brains work and take a neuro-affirming, strengths-based approach. We don’t just focus on challenges - we pay close attention to what your child can do well and we make sure this shines through in our assessments.
With professional expertise and evidence-informed practice at the heart of our work, we aim to provide accurate, meaningful insights that can genuinely make a difference. We also understand how important it is for families to feel heard and supported throughout the process. We’re here to walk alongside you every step of the way, before, during and after the assessment, to ensure you feel confident, informed and reassured.