A secret insight into a dyslexia assessment…
Let me you into a little secret… I am always just as nervous as the young person is just before our assessment together!
I don’t know what they will look or sound like when I open the door… and no two dyslexia assessments are identical, so every appointment is different for me.
Don’t get me wrong - I have my assessments ready, and I am prepared with the information I have beforehand; but nothing prepares you for first meeting that young person face to face. I like to think we are just in that first moment together, getting to know each other and working out how the assessment will pan out between us for the next few hours.
That sounds a bit daunting – a few hours! For me too! We both need chats and breaks, and water and snacks too! And believe it or not, we get through it – together, and sometimes the young person is skipping through the door on the way out - having thoroughly enjoyed doing the very things that cause them some upset in school! (There are some longer bits and some shorter things – we cover speaking and listening, reading, writing, spelling and memory – and we often figure out between us which ones to do next).
I am always over the moon when we complete assessments, and the young person is feeling happy and excited to tell their parent/carer what we have done together.
So, if you are feeling a bit nervous about seeing me – know that I am also a little nervous about meeting you too, but I am also excited, and I know that we will confidently get through the assessment together!
This is me, set up and waiting for you!
Written by Nettie Hodson
Specialist Dyslexia Assessor
Want to know who Nettie is before you meet her?
You can read Nettie’s child-friendly profile using the link below, so you can find out a little more about her before you meet.
And if you’re a parent or carer looking for more information, you can find out more about our Dyslexia Assessments in our assessment leaflet.
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