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SUPPORT FOR ADULTS

Hull & East Yorkshire's only registered charity for dyslexia.

Dyslexia Assessments at Dyslexia Sparks designed for Adults

A dyslexia assessment for an adult brings clear understanding, acknowledgement of – and reasons for – difficulties faced, and advice for a way forward. For many, it comes as a huge relief to know there’s a reason why some things present particular challenges.

Am I dyslexic?

Things have come a long way in the world of dyslexia, but research suggests that 80% of people still leave school not knowing they’re dyslexic. Do you find yourself needing to read and re-read to take information in? Or perhaps you find it hard to recall facts or appointments without reminders to help you? Maybe you find it difficult to get your ideas down on paper.

If these things sound like you, it could be that you’re dyslexic.

Common signs of dyslexia in adults:

A ‘mismatch’ between your verbal ideas and what you can get down on paper – are you better at explaining yourself by talking than in writing?

Strong problem-solving skills – do you find yourself coming up with ideas that other people don’t think of?

Often dyslexic individuals excel in situations requiring creative thinking or practical approaches – hands-on learning and demonstrations might be how you take in information best.

Needing to spend extra time reading to absorb information is common in dyslexic individuals – and breaking text down, for example into bullet-points, is often helpful.

Many dyslexic individuals find it hard to spot mistakes in their own work, such as spelling or grammatical errors, and sometimes avoid using certain words which they know they will find tricky to spell. Perhaps you always ask colleague at work or a family member look over important documents for you?

What should I do if I think I’m dyslexic?

The first thing to do is get in touch – our team at Dyslexia Sparks will talk to you about how we can help and advise on possible next steps.

For adults, a dyslexia assessment offers an opportunity to gain understanding and advice about things that might support you at work or during study.

During an assessment, our experienced and qualified specialists gather information on your underlying abilities and skills by working through a series of specifically designed activities.

Reading, writing and spelling skills are assessed, as well as underlying verbal and visual abilities. Memory, processing skills and phonological awareness are also measured.

The results give you

  • a formal diagnosis of dyslexia if present;
  • a detailed understanding of your strengths and areas you’re experiencing difficulties in;
  • insight into possible adjustments and support at work;
  • recommendations for study.

Our dyslexia assessments take 3.5 – 4 hours, including breaks and our adult assessments are normally carried out online.

Our Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get tested for dyslexia?

  • Dyslexia is identified through diagnostic assessments carried out by our qualified assessors.
  • You do not need a referral from a GP to be assessed for dyslexia. But dyslexia does need to be formally diagnosed by a qualified SpLD assessor. Our specialist team holds the appropriate qualifications and is highly experienced in the field of dyslexia.

How is dyslexia diagnosed?

  • Our dyslexia assessments are carried out on a 1:1 basis with a member of our specialist, qualified team.
  • Working through a series of activities, we measure:
    • literacy – word reading, decoding skills, writing, spelling, reading comprehension, speed of reading;
    • underlying abilities – verbal and visual;
    • cognitive processing – phonological awareness, phonological memory, short-term and working auditory memory, information-processing speed.

Dyslexia Sparks assessors take time to make sure you feel relaxed; our assessments are not carried out in exam-type conditions. We explain each activity to ensure you feel comfortable and understand what’s expected each

Am I too old to be tested for dyslexia?

  • Individuals of any age can be assessed for dyslexia.
  • Contact Dyslexia Sparks direct to book a dyslexia assessment.

Do you carry out assessments for children?

Yes – please click HERE for further information on how we can support children with an assessment for dyslexia.

What happens after the dyslexia assessment?

  • Following a dyslexia assessment with Dyslexia Sparks we’ll provide you with detailed and clear feedback on the information we’ve gathered.
  • We provide verbal feedback, followed by a comprehensive written report, contact us for full details.

Based on the information gathered we provide specific recommendations for formal adjustments, such as extra time in exams.

We also give recommendations for reasonable adjustments at work, learning strategies and additional support.

Why choose Dyslexia Sparks for an assessment?

  • We provide ongoing support – this begins when you first make contact and continues for as long as you need it – we go above and beyond to ensure we do everything we can to help.
  • Our specialist team is highly experienced in the field of dyslexia and has a good understanding of other SpLDs such as ASD and ADHD, so knows how to support you during the assessment.
  • As a registered charity we’re able to provide financial support to eligible households in Hull and East Yorkshire to help with the cost of assessments.

‘A dyslexia diagnosis is not an end but a beginning. An assessment highlights an individual’s unique abilities and the ideal ways for them to process information. This powerful insight opens the door to a way of learning that is better suited to them – and helps dyslexic individuals achieve their full potential.’

Jane CraigFounding Director | Dyslexia Sparks

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