If you’ve noticed your child struggling with reading, spelling, or remembering what they’ve learned, you might be wondering if your child could be dyslexic? It’s normal to feel worried or even a little overwhelmed. However, the good news is that dyslexia is well understood and with the right support children with dyslexia can thrive. Taking action early makes a big difference . Recognise the Signs of Dyslexia Every child is unique but there are some common signs that may suggest dyslexia. These can look different depending on your child’s age: Difficulty sounding out words or recognising familiar ones. Struggling to remember sequences such as days of the week or the alphabet. Avoiding reading or writing tasks. Slow reading speed even with familiar books. Spelling words differently each time. Dyslexia is about differences in how the brain processes language not about intelligence. Many children with dyslexia are highly creative and have strong problem-solving skills. Keep Records of What You Notice If you suspect dyslexia, it’s helpful to keep a log of: Examples of your child’s writing or spelling. Feedback from teachers or homework notes. Your own observations of when reading or writing seems hardest. This information will be valuable when you speak to your child’s school or consider an assessment. It helps professionals see patterns and understand your child’s strengths and challenges. Speak to the School The next step is to have an open conversation with your child’s teacher or the school SENCo (Special Educational Needs Coordinator). Depending on what the school says and your own feelings after that conversation, you may want to consider arranging a more detailed dyslexia screener or full diagnostic assessment. This could be through the school (if available) or privately. Consider a Dyslexia Assessment A full diagnostic assessment can give you a clearer picture of your child’s learning profile. This can: Confirm whether your child has dyslexia. Identify their strengths and needs. Provide recommendations for support at home and school. You can sometimes request an assessment via the school but waiting times can be long. Many parents choose a private assessment with a specialist assessor or educational psychologist for faster results. Support Your Child at Home Whether or not you have a formal diagnosis you can start making small changes to help your child right away: Use multi-sensory learning by combine sight, sound and movement when learning new words. Break tasks into small steps as this makes learning less overwhelming. Read together daily and let them read part of the book and you read the rest to keep it enjoyable. Play word and memory games to build skills in a fun way. The key is to keep learning positive so your child doesn’t lose confidence. Build Your Child’s Confidence Dyslexia can sometimes affect self-esteem especially if your child feels “different” from classmates. Remind them that everyone learns in their own way and many successful people have dyslexia from entrepreneurs to authors and inventors. Praise effort, not just results and celebrate progress, however small. A confident, motivated child is far more likely to succeed. Learn and Connect The more you understand about dyslexia, the better you can support your child Read books and guides on dyslexia. Join online parent groups or local support networks. Explore reputable websites like the British Dyslexia Association and PATOSS. Connecting with other parents can give you encouragement, ideas and reassurance that you’re not on this journey alone. Final Thoughts If you suspect your child has dyslexia the most important thing is to take action. If you’d like tailored advice or to arrange a dyslexia assessment, I can help. Together we can understand your child’s learning profile and create a plan that builds on their strengths. Ready to Take the Next Step? If you’re concerned about your child’s reading, spelling or learning, you don’t have to figure it out alone. At Flourish Dyslexia, I offer professional, full diagnostic dyslexia assessments for children, giving you a clear understanding of their strengths and challenges, along with practical, tailored recommendations for home and school.

Do children need a dyslexia diagnosis for access arrangements? Many parents worry that their child must have a formal dyslexia diagnosis to receive support in school, especially for exams. In reality, this is not always the case. Schools can apply for access arrangements based on evidence of need without a full diagnostic report. However, there are also times when a full dyslexia assessment report can be extremely helpful. What are access arrangements in school? Access arrangements are adjustments made in lessons, tests and exams to ensure children with additional needs can access assessments fairly. They do not give an unfair advantage. They remove barriers so a child can demonstrate their true ability. Common access arrangements include: extra time rest breaks a reader a scribe use of a laptop or word processor enlarged print Do children need a dyslexia diagnosis for access arrangements? In most cases, no. A formal dyslexia diagnosis is not required for school-based access arrangements. What matters most is clear evidence of need and a history of difficulty. Schools usually collect this evidence through: teacher observations reading and spelling assessments progress tracking work samples intervention records evidence that support is part of the child’s normal way of working For formal examinations such as GCSEs, schools must follow the regulations set by the Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ). These rules state that access arrangements must reflect the child’s usual classroom support and be based on robust evidence of need, not simply a parental request. How can a full dyslexia report help long-term? A diagnostic assessment report can: provide formal identification of dyslexia create a detailed cognitive and learning profile identify underlying processing strengths and weaknesses support SEN support plans and EHCP applications strengthen evidence for GCSE and post-16 access arrangements support transition to secondary school, college and university improve self-understanding and reduce self-blame guide high-quality, targeted intervention at home and in school For many children a report brings clarity, relief and a sense of understanding rather than another label. What does official SEND guidance say? Special educational needs support in England is guided by the SEND Code of Practice issued by the Department for Education. The Code promotes early identification, graduated support and evidence-based decision making. It clearly states that children do not need a formal diagnosis to receive support in school. Adjustments should be based on the child’s individual needs, not solely on a medical or diagnostic label. What if my child is struggling but I am unsure what support they need? If your child: reads or writes more slowly struggles to retain spellings becomes overwhelmed in tests avoids reading or written work shows declining confidence ...then it may be worth exploring both school support and whether an assessment could help clarify their learning profile. Final thoughts for parents Not every child needs a full diagnostic report to access support. Many children receive the right help through school-based evidence and graduated intervention. If you would like to discuss whether access arrangements or a full dyslexia assessment would be most helpful for your child, you are very welcome to get in touch for a no pressure chat.

Many parents are told that dyslexia or reading difficulties aren’t enough for an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP). Others worry that because their child doesn’t have a diagnosis they won’t qualify for support. So can you apply for an EHCP if your child has dyslexia or significant reading difficulties? The short answer is yes but it depends on impact, not labels. What is an EHCP? An EHCP is a legal document for children and young people aged 0–25 who need a higher level of support than schools can provide through their usual SEN support. It sets out your child’s needs, the provision required to meet those needs and the outcomes they are working towards. It is based on need and impact not diagnosis alone. Does dyslexia qualify for an EHCP? Dyslexia on its own does not automatically lead to an EHCP but neither does autism, ADHD or any other diagnosis. What matters is whether: Your child has significant and long-term difficulties Those difficulties impact access to learning, progress or wellbeing The school has put appropriate support in place That support has not been sufficient Many children with dyslexia do well with good quality SEN or quality first teaching support. However, some children have more complex or severe profiles where reading and writing difficulties significantly affect their learning, confidence, emotional wellbeing or ability to access the curriculum. In these cases, an EHCP may be appropriate. Reading difficulties without a dyslexia diagnosis You do not need a formal dyslexia diagnosis to apply for an EHCP. Local authorities must consider areas such as functional needs, evidence of difficulty and evidence of impact, not whether a child has a specific label. If your child has persistent reading difficulties, slow progress despite support or significant barriers to accessing learning this can still form the basis of an EHCP request. When might an EHCP be appropriate for reading difficulties? An EHCP may be appropriate if reading and literacy difficulties: Are severe and persistent Affect most areas of the curriculum Impact confidence, anxiety, behaviour or school attendance Require specialist teaching or adaptations beyond what the school can usually provide What evidence do you need? This is the part parents often find most confusing and most stressful. Evidence needs to show what your child’s needs are, what support has been tried and that support hasn’t been enough. Useful evidence can include: SEN support plans or provision maps Records of interventions and their outcomes Progress data showing slow or limited progres Teacher reports describing difficulties in class Notes on avoidance, anxiety or emotional impact Standardised reading or spelling scores Reports from specialist teachers or assessors Cognitive assessments. This does not have to be a full diagnostic report, although these can be helpful. Parent and child views What happens after you apply? Once an EHCP assessment is requested, the local authority must decide whether to assess within six weeks. If they agree, they will gather advice from the school, professionals involved, parents and the child. If they refuse to assess or later refuse to issue an EHCP, you have the right to challenge this. Many families are refused initially but this does not mean your case is weak. If you are considering an EHCP, it’s often helpful to seek guidance early, organise evidence clearly and focus on how your child is affected day to day.

Drawing and Talking Logo Understanding the Whole Child: Why Therapy Matters When a child is struggling with learning, whether it’s due to dyslexia, ADHD, or another special educational need (SEN), it’s easy to focus only on academic support. But learning doesn’t happen in isolation. It’s deeply connected to how a child feels. That’s where therapeutic approaches like Drawing and Talking come in. They help children process emotions, reduce anxiety, and feel more secure, creating the emotional foundations needed for learning and progress. What Is Drawing and Talking Therapy? Drawing and Talking is a gentle, non-intrusive therapeutic intervention designed to help children express their thoughts and feelings through art. Rather than focusing on the content of the drawings, the approach gives children a safe, confidential space to “tell their story” over time. It’s not about teaching drawing skills or analysing artwork, it’s about building trust, connection, and emotional safety. Why Is This Support Important for Dyslexic and SEN Children? Children with dyslexia or other learning differences often experience: Anxiety around school or learning Frustration from feeling misunderstood Low self-esteem after repeated challenges Social difficulties or feeling “different” from peers These feelings can build up quietly over time and affect a child’s mental health, motivation, and ability to engage with learning. Drawing and Talking offers a safe, contained space where children can: Offload worries without pressure Build emotional resilience Develop self-understanding Feel seen and heard What Does a Session Look Like? Each Drawing and Talking session: Lasts around 30 minutes Takes place at the same time each week for 12 weeks Involves drawing and open, non-directive conversation Is child-led and non-judgemental The adult does not ask questions or try to interpret the drawings. This allows the child to process at their own pace. The Impact on Learning and Wellbeing By helping children feel emotionally supported and regulated, therapeutic support can: Improve focus and engagement in class Reduce school-related anxiety Boost confidence and self-worth Help children feel safe enough to take risks in learning For a child with dyslexia who may feel like they’re constantly “getting things wrong,” this kind of support can be a game-changer. Why Emotional Support Should Sit Alongside Academic Support For many dyslexic and SEN learners, emotional barriers are just as real as academic ones. A whole-child approach recognises that therapeutic support is not a luxury, it’s a necessary part of helping children flourish. At Flourish Dyslexia, we understand that learning happens best when a child feels safe, confident, and connected. That’s why we believe therapeutic interventions like Drawing and Talking should be offered alongside assessments and academic support. Could My Child Benefit from Drawing and Talking? If your child: Shows signs of anxiety, withdrawal, or low self-esteem Avoids schoolwork or talks negatively about their abilities Has experienced change, trauma, or loss Finds it hard to talk about their feelings…Drawing and Talking could be a gentle, effective support. Final Thoughts: Supporting the Whole Child Dyslexia and other learning needs don’t just affect spelling and reading—they touch every part of a child’s life. By combining learning assessments with emotional support, we can help children feel understood, empowered, and ready to move forward. If you’d like to find out more about how Drawing and Talking could help your child, or how we integrate emotional wellbeing into our assessments at Flourish Dyslexia, please get in touch . We’re here to help your child flourish, emotionally, academically, and beyond.

What If My Child Doesn’t Get a Dyslexia Diagnosis? If you're thinking about a dyslexia assessment for your child, you might be wondering: What happens if no diagnosis is given? It’s a common and important question and one we’re asked often. At Flourish Dyslexia, we understand that every child is unique. Whether or not your child receives a formal diagnosis of dyslexia, a high-quality assessment is always a valuable step toward understanding their learning profile. In this blog, we’ll explain: What a diagnostic assessment looks at What it means if there’s no dyslexia diagnosis Why the process still gives you powerful insight What support is still available for your child What Does a Dyslexia Assessment Include? A full diagnostic assessment explores a wide range of cognitive and literacy skills, including: ✅ Reading and spelling accuracy ✅ Speed of reading and writing ✅ Phonological processing (how your child identifies and works with sounds) ✅ Working memory and processing speed ✅ Vocabulary and verbal reasoning The results are compared to what’s expected for your child’s age. If the assessment shows a pattern consistent with dyslexia, a diagnosis may be made. What If My Child Doesn’t Meet the Criteria? Even if a formal diagnosis isn’t given, the assessment is still incredibly useful. You’ll receive: ✅ A detailed learner profile outlining your child’s strengths and difficulties ✅ Insight into cognitive processes such as memory, processing, and phonological awareness ✅ Clear, practical recommendations tailored to your child’s needs Think of the report as a learning roadmap, helping you and your child understand how they learn best and what supports can help them succeed Understanding the Whole Learner Some children may show traits of a Specific Learning Difficulty (SpLD) even if they don’t fully meet the criteria for dyslexia. For example: They may struggle with working memory They might find processing information more slowly than peers There could be mild phonological difficulties affecting reading or spelling What Happens Next? If your child does not receive a dyslexia diagnosis, we will still: ✅ Offer a full feedback session to walk you through the results ✅ Provide a detailed, jargon-free report ✅ Share specific, personalised next steps for support ✅ Explore further help where needed (e.g. specialist tuition, school liaison, or language support) Our aim is always to empower families with clarity and confidence. Will My Child Still Get Support at School? One of the biggest concerns parents have is: Will my child still get help at school without a diagnosis? The answer is yes.Schools are expected to support children based on need, not just labels. Your child’s report will include: ✅ Classroom strategies and adjustments ✅ Suggested interventions ✅ Guidance to help teachers understand how to support your child This empowers both parents and schools to take action, even in the absence of a formal diagnosis. Want to Know More? If you’re considering an assessment or have questions about whether it’s the right time, we’d love to hear from you. Contact us today to learn how we can help your child flourish.