Identification matters because it unlocks the right support — and because a child who understands their own brain stops blaming themselves.
When to seek extra help
It may be time to ask for more support if:
- Reading is significantly behind
- Spelling remains very difficult despite practice
- Writing causes distress
- Homework takes far longer than expected
- Confidence is falling
- The child avoids schoolwork
- There are signs of anxiety
- Progress is slow despite intervention
- The child says they feel stupid
- Exams are approaching and current support is not enough
Who can help
- Class teacher — first port of call
- SENCO (Special Educational Needs Coordinator) — coordinates support in school
- Specialist dyslexia teacher — for in-school intervention and screening
- Educational psychologist or specialist dyslexia assessor — for a full diagnostic assessment
- Speech and language therapist — if language is also affected
- GP — if anxiety or wellbeing are affected
- Tutor trained in dyslexia support — for structured, multisensory teaching
A school screener gives strong indicators. A full diagnostic assessment (by an HCPC-registered educational psychologist or a specialist teacher with an Assessment Practising Certificate) gives a formal identification and is usually needed for exam access arrangements at GCSE and beyond.
Useful questions to ask school
- What support is currently in place?
- Has my child had a dyslexia screener?
- Are they receiving phonics or literacy intervention?
- How is progress being measured?
- Can they use assistive technology in class?
- Can homework be adjusted?
- Are they expected to copy from the board?
- Can they have printed notes?
- Are exam access arrangements needed?
- What strategies are being used in class — and how can we mirror them at home?
What a good support plan includes
- Main difficulties and strengths
- Reading, writing and spelling support
- Memory and processing support
- Assistive technology
- Specific classroom adjustments (one instruction at a time, no unexpected reading aloud, printed notes, reduced copying, extra time, word banks, mind maps before writing, typing allowed)
- Homework adjustments
- Exam access needs
- Confidence and wellbeing support
- Review dates
- The parent's and the child's views
A note on cost and waiting lists
NHS routes rarely diagnose dyslexia. Private assessments are usually £400–£700 in the UK. Some charities (such as the British Dyslexia Association's local groups) offer reduced-cost screening. Schools are not legally required to fund a private assessment, but they are required to identify and support need under the SEND Code of Practice — a formal diagnosis is not required to put support in place.