Dyslexia Assessments for Children, Adults and Students Across the UK
PATOSS-registered specialist assessments. Face-to-face across Sheffield and Peterborough. Remote nationwide.
Defining Dyslexia provides specialist dyslexia assessments for children, adults, and university students across the UK. Every assessment is carried out by Mark Wilson, a PATOSS-registered specialist assessor with fifteen years of experience, working to the standards set by SASC.
Face-to-face assessments are available across Sheffield, South Yorkshire, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, Stamford, and Rutland. Remote assessments are available nationwide. Whether you are a parent looking for answers, an adult who has wondered for years, or a student preparing a DSA application, Defining Dyslexia gives you something clear and concrete to work with.
What Does a Dyslexia Assessment Actually Involve?
Many people search for a "dyslexia test" or "dyslexia screening" when what they actually need is a full diagnostic assessment. The two are very different things. A screening tool can flag whether dyslexia traits are present, but it cannot provide a formal dyslexia diagnosis, a detailed cognitive profile, or a written report accepted by schools, universities, employers, and local authorities.
A full SpLD assessment with Defining Dyslexia is a thorough, one-to-one evaluation carried out by a PATOSS-registered specialist assessor with fifteen years of experience. It covers reading, spelling, writing speed, phonological processing, and memory, and concludes with a comprehensive written report with clear, practical recommendations. Whether you are a parent seeking a dyslexia assessment for your child, an adult looking for a dyslexia diagnosis, or a student preparing a DSA application, the assessment is built entirely around you.
Every assessment includes time at the end to talk through the findings together, so you leave with a clear understanding of the results rather than just a document to decipher on your own.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a dyslexia assessment and what does it involve?
A dyslexia assessment is a detailed, one-to-one evaluation carried out by a qualified specialist assessor. It covers reading, spelling, writing speed, phonological processing, and memory, and is designed to build a clear picture of how you or your child thinks, learns, and processes information. Most assessments take around two to three hours, and every assessment concludes with a comprehensive written report with practical recommendations.
How much does a dyslexia
assessment cost?
A full dyslexia assessment with Defining Dyslexia costs £495. This includes the assessment session and a comprehensive written report with practical recommendations. There are no hidden costs and no additional charges. Adult assessments that include screening for co-occurring conditions such as ADHD or dyspraxia may carry a small additional fee, which is always discussed at enquiry stage.
How is a dyslexia assessment different from a screening test?
A screening test can indicate whether dyslexia traits are present but cannot provide a formal diagnosis, detailed recommendations, or a report accepted by schools, universities, or employers. A full diagnostic assessment goes significantly further, providing a comprehensive cognitive profile and a written report that is recognised across education and employment. If you are unsure which is appropriate, get in touch and Mark is happy to advise.
Can my GP refer me for a dyslexia
assessment?
No. Dyslexia is not a medical condition and cannot be diagnosed or referred through the NHS. A formal diagnostic assessment must be carried out by a qualified specialist assessor such as a PATOSS-registered practitioner. Defining Dyslexia provides exactly that, independently and without a GP referral.
Can the assessment identify ADHD or
dyspraxia as well as dyslexia?
Defining Dyslexia specialises in dyslexia assessments but can include screening for co-occurring conditions such as ADHD and dyspraxia as part of an adult assessment where relevant. This is discussed at enquiry stage. Where a full ADHD or ASD assessment is required, Mark can advise on appropriate referral pathways.
How long does it take to get an
appointment?
Defining Dyslexia offers a genuinely personal, bespoke service with waiting times of under two months at all times, and often considerably quicker. Remote assessments can frequently be arranged faster than face-to-face. Get in touch to discuss current availability.
Is a remote dyslexia assessment as valid as face-to-face?
Yes. Remote assessments carried out by Defining Dyslexia meet the same SASC standards as face-to-face assessments. The written report is accepted by schools, universities, exam boards, and employers across the UK. Being remote does not affect the quality, rigour, or usefulness of the assessment or the report.
What happens after the assessment?
Every assessment concludes with time set aside to talk through the findings together, so you leave with a clear understanding of the results rather than just a document to decipher on your own. The written report follows and includes detailed recommendations for education, work, or everyday life. Mark is available to answer any questions after the report has been received.
Is the report accepted by schools,
universities, and
employers?
Yes. Every Defining Dyslexia report is written to SASC standards and is accepted by schools, colleges, local authorities, exam boards, universities, and employers across the UK. Reports meet DSA requirements for university students and provide the evidence needed for access arrangement applications and workplace reasonable adjustments.
Looking for More Information?
The Defining Dyslexia Knowledge Centre contains a growing bank of articles, guides, and practical resources covering dyslexia assessments, SpLD support, navigating the school system, and much more. New content is added regularly, so if your question is not answered here it may be covered there, or will be soon.
How much does an
assessment cost?
A full dyslexia assessment with Defining Dyslexia costs £495. This includes the assessment session and a comprehensive written report with practical recommendations. There are no hidden costs and no additional charges.
Assessments can be carried out in your home, at your child's school, or at a suitable venue local to you. Where a venue needs to be booked, a small additional fee may apply. This will always be discussed and agreed with you before anything is confirmed.
For adult assessments that include screening for co-occurring conditions such as ADHD or dyspraxia, a small additional fee also applies. This will be discussed with you at enquiry stage.
If you would like to talk through costs before booking, you are very welcome to get in touch.
Where We Work
Defining Dyslexia offers face-to-face assessments across two main regions, with remote assessments available anywhere in the UK.
- Sheffield and South Yorkshire — including Rotherham, Barnsley, Doncaster, Stocksbridge, and Chesterfield
- Peterborough and Cambridgeshire — including Stamford, Rutland, Market Deeping, and surrounding villages
- Remote UK-wide — full diagnostic assessments available from anywhere in the UK
About Your Assessor
Every Defining Dyslexia assessment is carried out by Mark, a PATOSS-registered specialist assessor with fifteen years of experience supporting children, young people, and adults with dyslexia and other learning differences. Mark holds an APC and works to the standards set by SASC, the body that governs SpLD assessment quality across the UK. Mark's background as a former SENCo means he understands the school system from the inside, and brings that knowledge to every assessment and report he writes.
E-mail: Mark@definingdyslexia.org
We operate virtually across the UK, providing accessible support wherever you are. For in-person appointments, we serve Sheffield, Peterborough, and the surrounding area. Contact us to learn more!