Dyslexia Assessments
Expert Dyslexia Assessments at Harley Street
What is
Dyslexia?
Dyslexia is a Specific Learning Difficulty that primarily affects reading, spelling and written language skills. It can also be associated with difficulties in areas such as working memory, processing speed, organisation, sequencing and verbal memory.
Dyslexia is not linked to intelligence. Many people with dyslexia are highly capable, creative and articulate, but may find that certain academic, written or administrative tasks require significantly more effort than expected.
A dyslexia assessment can help explain longstanding difficulties, identify areas of strength, and provide practical recommendations for school, university, the workplace and everyday life.
Who Can Benefit From a Dyslexia Assessment?
A dyslexia assessment may be helpful if you or your child experiences difficulties with:
Reading accuracy or reading speed
Spelling
Written expression
Processing written information
Taking longer than expected to complete written tasks
Memory for instructions or information
Organisation and planning
Exam performance despite good understanding
Avoidance of reading or written work
Low confidence linked to learning difficulties
A previous history of struggling at school, university or work despite strong ability
Many people seek an assessment after years of feeling that they have had to work harder than others to achieve the same outcome. A clear assessment can provide validation, explanation and practical next steps.
What Does a Dyslexia Assessment Involve?
A dyslexia assessment is a detailed evaluation of an individual’s learning profile. It usually includes a review of developmental, educational and occupational history, together with standardised assessment tasks exploring areas such as reading, spelling, phonological processing, working memory, processing speed and wider cognitive skills.
The assessment is designed to identify whether the person meets criteria for dyslexia or another Specific Learning Difficulty. It also considers whether there may be additional factors affecting learning, such as attention difficulties, anxiety, autism, language needs or broader educational barriers.
Following the assessment, you will receive a clear written report. This will explain the assessment findings, diagnostic opinion and recommendations in a structured and practical way.
Why Choose Harley Street Dyslexia Service?
Qualified Specialist Assessors: Our assessments are carried out by qualified Specific Learning Difficulty assessors with specialist training in dyslexia assessment.
Clear Diagnostic Reports: We provide structured, evidence-based reports that explain the person’s learning profile in a clear and accessible way.
Practical Recommendations: Our reports include meaningful recommendations that can be used in education, university, the workplace and everyday settings.
Individualised Approach: We do not believe in a one-size-fits-all approach. Each assessment considers the individual’s history, strengths, challenges and support needs.
Broader Neurodevelopmental Understanding: Our assessors have experience working with individuals who may have overlapping needs, including ADHD, autism and other learning differences. Where appropriate, we can advise when further assessment or onward referral may be helpful.
Compassionate and Supportive: We understand that seeking an assessment can feel daunting, particularly for those who have struggled for many years without clear answers. Our approach is professional, thorough and supportive.
Our process
We believe in making the process as smooth as possible, with full transparency and easy navigation.
Pre-Assessment
For children and young people, we may request additional information from parents, carers or school where appropriate
During the Assessment
The assessment is carried out in a supportive, respectful and non-judgemental way.
Post-Assessment Report
Recommendations and Next Steps
Dyslexia Assessments for Children and Young People
Dyslexia can affect children in different ways. Some children struggle with reading and spelling from an early age, while others are able to compensate for a time but begin to struggle as academic demands increase.
A dyslexia assessment can help identify a child’s strengths and difficulties, allowing parents and schools to better understand what support may be needed. Recommendations may include classroom strategies, exam support, intervention planning and practical adjustments to help the child access learning more effectively.
Our approach is designed to help children and young people feel understood, rather than criticised or labelled.
Dyslexia Assessments for Adults
Many adults seek a dyslexia assessment after years of wondering why certain tasks have always felt harder than expected. Some may have struggled at school without being assessed, while others may only notice difficulties when starting university, professional training or a demanding role at work.
An adult dyslexia assessment can provide clarity, validation and practical recommendations. It can also support discussions around workplace adjustments, study support, assistive technology and strategies to reduce the impact of dyslexic difficulties in daily life.
Frequently Asked Questions
(FAQs)
If you can’t find what you’re looking for, our team is here to help. Contact us for personalized guidance.
Booking is quick and easy. You can book online through our website or contact our team if you would like guidance on which assessment is most appropriate.
No referral is usually required. You can contact us directly to book an assessment.
If the assessment indicates that difficulties may be better explained by another area of need, such as ADHD, autism, language difficulties, anxiety or another Specific Learning Difficulty, this will be explained in the report. Where appropriate, recommendations for further assessment or support will be provided.
No. Dyslexia is not a measure of intelligence. Many people with dyslexia have strong reasoning, creativity, problem-solving and verbal skills, but experience specific difficulties with written language, processing or related tasks.
In many cases, a diagnostic dyslexia report can support requests for reasonable adjustments, educational support, exam arrangements, university support or workplace adjustments. The specific use of the report will depend on the individual circumstances and the requirements of the organisation receiving it.
The report will include background history, assessment results, interpretation of the findings, diagnostic opinion and tailored recommendations. These recommendations may be relevant to school, university, exams, the workplace or everyday life.
Assessments are carried out by qualified Specific Learning Difficulty assessors with specialist training in dyslexia assessment. Where relevant, our assessors hold professional accreditation such as AMBDA and an Assessment Practising Certificate.
Yes. Children and young people can be assessed where there are concerns about reading, spelling, writing, processing speed, memory or learning progress. The assessment can help parents and schools understand the child’s needs and plan appropriate support.
Yes. Dyslexia can be assessed and diagnosed in adulthood. Many adults seek an assessment after recognising longstanding difficulties with reading, spelling, written work, organisation or processing information.
A dyslexia assessment is a formal evaluation carried out by a qualified assessor to understand a person’s learning profile. It explores areas such as reading, spelling, memory, processing speed and related cognitive skills, before providing a diagnostic opinion and practical recommendations.
What makes you different to other clinics?
We hand pick all of our clinicians to ensure that they have the same values as us.
This ensures that our service users are actually listened to and are the heart of our treatment plans.
We recognise that diagnosis and treatment plans cannot simply be “one size fits all” and our personalised down to earth approach aims to keep the process as easy as possible.
We will try to keep your costs low where possible. Once you are on the right dose and feeling settled (you may need one or two medication titration appointments to achieve this), you can order your medication through the repeat medication process.
Following two months of being on the same dose, with no further changes, we will consider returning your care to your GP.
Can I see you on the NHS?
We are a private clinic, and therefore you cannot be seen by us as part of the NHS. <br><br>We can write to your GP once you are stable on your treatment to ask them to take over prescribing as part of a Shared Care Agreement, however they are under no obligation to accept this agreement.
Do I need a referral?
Our clinicians can see you directly without a referral, however a condition of all appointments is that you agree for Harley Street Mental Health to copy your GP into all assessment and treatment plans.
We are happy to accept referrals from other clinicians, however this is not necessary to use our service.
What happens during an appointment?
If you have booked a virtual appointment, you will be sent an invitation through our clinic software known as “Semble”. On the day of your appointment, you click the link and will enter into a video interview with one of our clinicians.
If you have booked an in-person appointment you will be greeted by your clinician in the waiting room.
Do you accept insurance?
Currently we do not accept insurance, and all of our assessments and treatment plans are self funded, and therefore we encourage you to look at the “fees” page prior to booking.
Do you prescribe medication?
Our team are able to prescribe medication as part of your treatment plan if this is required. Our prescriptions are private, and therefore you will be liable for the cost of the prescription and the medication.
Hod do I know if the treatment will be beneficial?
Unfortunately, there are no guarantees with psychiatry. All of our clinicians are extremely experienced and prescribe based on the most up to date evidence base. You will be involved in your treatment plans at all stages.
I have a complaint?
We are sorry to hear that you have a complaint. Please see the complaints section of our website or email complaints@hsmh.co.uk where we will endeavour to resolve your complaint in a timely manner.
What are the fees associated with ADHD Assessments?
Please see the fees section on the website. It is important that you are aware of all costs prior to starting treatment. An ADHD assessment costs £715 and lasts approximately 1.5 hours and will include a detailed written report and treatment plan (includes a prescription which will posted to your chosen pharmacy, if medication is considered suitable for you).
The cost of medication will be in addition to this and paid directly to your chosen pharmacy.
We then require service users to attend titration appointments at £150 each where your medication is adjusted until most effective. Once you move on to repeat prescriptions, they will cost £48 for a monthly prescription.
Once you are stable on your medication (around two months of being on the same dose, with no further changes and you feel much better) you can ask us to write to your GP and enter into a shared care agreement which costs £125. Your GP is under no obligation to accept a shared care agreement, and therefore we encourage all service users to discuss this with their GP prior to using our service.
Are you registered with the CQC?
Yes, we have been approved for registration with the Care Quality Commission
I have another question
Please email us on contact@hsmh.co.uk and we will get back to you shortly
Book your assessment today
Have a glance at the calendar and select a good time for you.