Adult Dyslexia Assessment Explained

Whilst many adults may experience difficulties with learning and studying, one of the most often asked questions is “am I dyslexic?” To be able to determine this accurately, you would need to go through an initial process of screening and assessment. Even before that, however, you can find many checklists online which will give you an indication of whether or not you do have problems related to dyslexia.

Checklists

Online checklists are basically comprised of simple ‘yes’ and ‘no’ answers and contain around 20 questions, plus a couple of additional tests. Here is an example of the kinds of questions you’ll be asked:

• Do you confuse your left with your right?
• Is reading a map or locating an unfamiliar place confusing?
• Is your spelling poor?
• Do you find it difficult to take down phone messages and pass them on correctly?
• When using the telephone do you tend to mix up the numbers when you dial?
• Do you find it difficult to recite the months of the year backwards?

Screening and Assessment

To find out if you may be a dyslexia sufferer, you should contact your local dyslexia association. You’ll be able to find this out by contacting the British Dyslexia Association’s helpline number on 0845 251 9002. Alternatively, you could make an appointment with a chartered psychologist but choose one who is up to date with all relevant dyslexia knowledge and is experienced in making assessments of adult dyslexia.

The assessments can take between 2 to 3 hours to complete. This isn’t like an exam and there are no right and wrong answers. Basically, the assessment is there to allow the assessor to gain an insight into how you think and how you go about learning and processing information.

At the end of the assessment, you will receive feedback about your strengths and weaknesses and following on from this, you will receive a written report.

Costs

A private assessment for dyslexia can cost between £100 and £400. As an adult, unless you are in full-time education, you may not be eligible for NHS funded assistance. However, there are exceptions to this, especially where it is affecting your health so speak to your GP first.

The Benefits of Being Assessed

There are a number of reasons why undergoing a dyslexia assessment is useful. Firstly, it will identify key problem areas and you will be told how you might improve your skills in certain areas. It can also enable you to obtain help and even funding if you’re at college or at work. In certain cases, it can even enable you to be granted more time in exams if you’re studying. Furthermore, a lot of people find it difficult to explain the problem to others and the report will help you to be able to do that better.

Education and Work

If you are an adult in education who has discovered that you suffer with dyslexia and it is affecting your learning, you can contact your college’s disability officer who will be able to offer you practical help and guidance. In the workplace, you should speak to your immediate supervisor or health and safety officer to see if any adjustments can be made to the way you work in order to help you to do your job more efficiently.

And for those who are seeking employment and finding it difficult, make an appointment to see your local JobCentre Plus’ Disability Employment Advisor. For example, there’s the ‘Access to Work’ programme which is a government funded initiative aimed at helping people with disabilities obtain work.

A dyslexia assessment is also a useful safeguard in the event that you are discriminated against at work. Dyslexia is a learning disability so it has the same protection as any other kind of disability under the Disability Discrimination Act.