Who are our approved assessors?

We have a team of experienced diagnostic assessors; both AMBDA qualified specialist teachers and educational/occupational psychologists registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).

All of our assessors have experience in assessing and teaching/working with individuals who have dyslexia and associated specific learning difficulties. In addition, they are required to hold a current Assessment Practicing Certificate (APC) and they all have DBS clearance.

Which assessor?

What is the difference between an Educational Psychologist assessment and a Specialist Teacher assessment?

Both Specialist Teachers (who are AMBDA qualified and may hold an Assessment Practicing Certificate, APC) and Psychologists are able to accurately assess for dyslexia; in practice there is very little difference between the two. There may be some instances where an Educational Psychologist needs to be used instead of a Specialist Teacher, for example where an individual has more complex or multiple needs or where it is felt that they may have co-occurring difficulties (where an individual has other Specific Learning Difficulties alongside their dyslexia). In such cases the additional tests used by psychologists may be able to tease out these subtle differences in an individual's overall profile.

Specialist teachers usually have more experience working, and often teaching, in an educational setting.

Both Specialist Teachers and Educational Psychologists can diagnose dyslexia and can make recommendations about how the individual can best be supported.

Where an assessment is being used to support disciplinary/dismissal/tribunal activities we would recommend an Educational or Occupational Psychologist carries out the assessment. Also if your child is likely to need an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) in the future.

Co-occurring difficulties

A good assessor will always refer the individual on for further testing if they feel that there are indicators of conditions other than dyslexia.

Assessors are not able to diagnose learning difficulties such as autism or ADHD, as these are medical rather than educational difficulties and so require a different type of assessment.

Arranging your own assessment?

If you plan to arrange your own assessment this document will tell you more about the qualifications and experience you should look for in a dyslexia assessor: Guidance : What to look for in a dyslexia assessor (pdf).