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Specialist Dyslexia and Dyscalculia Consultancy

  Full Diagnostic Dyslexia Assessments and Reports for Individuals 

Aged 7 Years to Adult

 


The dyslexia assessment and accompanying  report identify gaps in knowledge and pinpoints areas of specific difficulty.  The Report provides next steps in learning along with suggested strategies to support the individual both at home and within the classroom.  For older students, the report will also provide strategies to support independent learning including study skills and will make suggestions on  assistive technology, if appropriate. For adults in work, a diagnostic report provides evidence of need for reasonable adjustments in the workplace.


Following a diagnosis of dyslexia, where appropriate, the assessments and report may provide the required evidence to support the need for exam access arrangements such as extra time, use of assistive technology eg. a laptop and use of a human reader and/or scribe.  These adjustments can help an individual with dyslexia achieve their full potential.


FuFull Diagnostic Dyscalculia Assessments and Reports for Children Aged  8 -14 years



Weekend and school holiday appointments available.



Contact info@dyslexiaessex.org.uk or call 07979 218127 for further information


About Dyslexia Essex


Background


Dyslexia Essex is specialist dyslexia consultancy (part of Essex and Herts Tutors Ltd) owned by Vanessa Minihane, a qualified Specialist Teacher and Assessor.



Our Services


Through Dyslexia Essex, I offer full diagnostic assessments for dyslexia for individuals aged 7 years to adult.  I also offer diagnostic assessments for dyscalculia for children in aged 8 to 14 years of age.


Diagnostic assessments provide evidence to support the need for exam access arrangements for KS2 SATS, common entrance, GCSEs, A levels, university exams and professional qualifications. 


Access arrangements include extra time in exams, use of assistive technology such as a laptop, use of a reader and/or a scribe in exams: these are an important means of ensuring that individuals with dyslexia are able to reach their full potential.  


A diagnostic assessment carried out after 16+ years is also required to support an application for Disabled Students Allowance. To find more about the Disabled Students Allowance: 


https://www.gov.uk/disabled-students-allowances-dsas/further-information


Dyslexia and dyscalculia are recognised disabilities, a diagnosis of dyslexia or dyscalculia can provide some protection under the Equality Act 2010 and employers are required to make reasonable adjustments to support employees with dyslexia and dyscalculia to carry out their role.




An assessment does not guaranteed to provide a diagnosis of dyslexia or dyscalculia.


What is Dyslexia?


 
It is thought that 1 in 10 people have dyslexia and many of these people are unaware that there is a reason for their struggles.  Dyslexia is a Specific Learning Difficulty.

"Dyslexia is a learning difficulty that primarily affects the skills  involved in accurate and fluent word reading and spelling."  
(Rose Review, Department of Education 2009). 

Dyslexia can affect people from any background or walk of life, regardless of their intellectual ability.

Dyslexia affects people in different ways and no two people have exactly the same symptoms or level of severity of dyslexia. Each individual with dyslexia will have different strengths and weaknesses.

Learners with dyslexia may have problems with short term memory, spelling, writing, rapid naming (objects, colours, letters or numbers), distinguishing sounds in words and with concentration.

Dyslexia may occurs along side other difficulties such as ASD, ADHD and dyspraxia.



What's It Like Being Dyslexic?

This short video from Nessy explains what is feels like to be dyslexic.




Experience & Qualifications


I am an experienced teacher and have worked in primary and secondary schools in both the independent and state sector supporting pupils with Specific Learning Difficulties such as dyslexia and other SEND such as ADHD, dyspraxia and ASD.  As the mother of a child with dyslexia, I understand the difficulties experienced by dyslexic students and  recognise the frustration felt by parents and educators when children are not realising their full potential


I am a member of the British Dyslexia Association and PATOSS 

I have an Assessment Practising Certificate issued by the British Dyslexia Association, an enhanced DBS certificate and full insurance.


Vanessa Minihane BA (Hons), PGCE, PGDipEd, AMBDA. MA in SpLD (Dyslexia)

Member of: British Dyslexia Association, PATOSS and The Dyslexia Guild

Testimonials


"Thank you for the report.  I will now be receiving Disabled Students Allowance at University"

University Student
"Vanessa put my daughter at ease throughout the assessment process".


Paul
Parent of primary child
“Vanessa has an amazing rapport with her students.”

Angela
WFDA

Contact Us

Call now 01277 899 004 or 07979 218 127

Riverdale 
Queens Street 
Fyfield 
Essex 
CM5 0RY

info@dyslexiaessex.org.uk

Terms and Conditions

  • A request for an assessment can be made by email, or over the phone
  • A non-refundable booking fee of £50 is required to secure an appointment.
  • 7 days notice is required to change the date of the appointment.
  • Clients should arrive promptly for their appointment. 
  • Full payment of the balance is required on the day of the assessment. Payment can be made by cheque payable to Dyslexia Essex, bank transfer, credit card or cash.
  • If your assessment is being funded by an outside organisation (e.g. college, university or employer), written confirmation is required before an appointment can be made.
  • For children under the age of 16 years, the Parent Questionnaire should be completed by a parent or carer giving as much detail as possible. It gives information on your child's history and any related issues which are relevant to the assessment.
  • For school age children, where possible, a School questionnaire should be completed by the child's teacher or SENCO.  If this is not possible, the parent should provide a copy of their child's latest school report. 
  • Individuals being assessed must have a recent (within the last year) eye examination carried out by an optometrist before the assessment.  Visual difficulties, such as text moving and blurring, should be discussed with a suitably qualified optometrist before an assessment for dyslexia. Student Finance England may refuse to accept a report for DSA if visual difficulties have not been investigated.
  • Assessments take place in Fyfield, Essex*, unless agreed otherwise.  
  • Children under the age of 16 years must be accompanied by an adult throughout the assessment. Due to  the necessity for concentration, siblings cannot be accomodated during the assessment.
  • Assessments usually last between 2 - 3  hours, but the length of the appointment depends on the individual needs and the concentration levels of the person being assessed.
  • The results will be considered and analysed, and a full written report drawn up.  Once the report has been completed, verbal feedback will be provided, if requested, either face-to-face or over the phone. 
  • You should receive the report approximately 3-4 weeks after the initial assessment**. Reports will not released without full payment.
  • Unless otherwise requested, the report will be sent to you in a password protected and encrypted document attached to the email address provided .
  • If you require a hard copy of the report please state this in advance.   There is an additional charge of £5 for each hard copy.        
  • All reports and information on the individual is confidential and details will not be passed on to other parties unless specifically requested e.g. forwarding reports to college or university.  If the individual being assessed is over 16 years of age, permission will be required for reports to be sent to or discussed with parents, even if the parent has paid for the report.
  • Vanessa Minihane  and Dyslexia Essex reserve the right not to accept a referral, to terminate an assessment, or not circulate an assessment report if: the referral appears to be outside her area of expertise; the client fails to cooperate fully with the requirements of the assessment procedure in such a way that may compromise the validity of the assessment; the client fails to comply with the terms and conditions outlined above. 
  • A diagnosis of Specific Learning Difficulty (Dyslexia) cannot be guaranteed as a result of the assessments, but recommendations for the existing literacy difficulties will be included within the report whether or not a diagnosis of dyslexia is made.
*   Please note that animals are present at the address.  Although animals are not present in the consulting area, you should inform Dyslexia Essex if you or your child have allergies to pet hair or dander and attend at your own risk.
** Dyslexia Essex will make every endeavour to send the report within the stated time limit but does not accept liability for failure to deliver within the stated time where this is caused by circumstances beyond Dyslexia Essex's  control. 
   

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