Dyslexia Assessments in Lincoln, Bourne, Market Deeping and across South Lincolnshire
South Lincolnshire has a mix of market towns, villages and rural communities, with families travelling between Bourne, the Deepings, Stamford, Spalding, Grantham and the surrounding areas for education and specialist support. Defining Dyslexia provides specialist dyslexia assessments for children, young people and adults across South Lincolnshire, giving individuals and families a clear understanding of strengths, difficulties and the support that may help.
For families, concerns often become more noticeable as the demands of school increase. This can include a child who is bright and capable but finds reading, spelling, writing or working at speed much harder than expected. In an area where grammar schools and the 11+ remain an important part of the educational landscape, some parents also seek an assessment when they are concerned that literacy or processing difficulties may prevent their child from demonstrating their underlying ability under timed conditions.
What You Can Expect from a Defining Dyslexia Assessment?
Every assessment is built around you. Here is what makes Defining Dyslexia the right choice for families and individuals across Stamford
WHO IT IS FOR?
Assessments are available for primary and secondary school children, adults, and university students. Whether you are seeking clarity after years of uncertainty, preparing for exam access arrangements, or applying for Disabled Students' Allowance, Defining Dyslexia can support you through the process.
It can alsos upport with the 11+ plus and entrance exams that often apply to Lincolnshire Grammar, Selective and Private Schools.
WHAT THE ASSESSMENT INVOLVES?
A Defining Dyslexia assessment is a detailed, one-to-one evaluation covering reading, spelling, writing speed, phonological processing, and memory. It 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 shorter split sessions are available where needed. Every assessment concludes with a written report that can be used to support school provision, exam access arrangements, or a university DSA application.
WHY CHOOSE DEFINING DYSLEXIA?
Defining Dyslexia is an independent specialist assessment practice registered with PATOSS, the British Dyslexia Association, and the Dyslexia Guild. Assessments are carried out to the standards set by SASC, the body that governs SpLD assessment quality across the UK. Working independently means the focus is entirely on you or your child, with no waiting lists tied to institutional processes.
Families from Bourne, Market Deeping, Deeping St James, Spalding, Stamford and surrounding South Lincolnshire villages contact Defining Dyslexia for a range of reasons. Some have concerns raised by school, while others have noticed difficulties themselves despite their child appearing to be progressing academically. Adults and university students also seek assessment to understand longstanding difficulties or to provide diagnostic evidence for support at university or in the workplace.
Many people begin by searching for a “dyslexia test” in South Lincolnshire. What Defining Dyslexia provides is a full diagnostic dyslexia assessment, carried out by a qualified specialist assessor and resulting in a detailed diagnostic report with practical recommendations for education, university, the workplace or everyday life.
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.
Dyslexia assessments and the 11+
If your child is preparing for the 11+, you may be wondering whether difficulties with reading, spelling, processing speed or working under timed conditions could be affecting their performance.
A full diagnostic dyslexia assessment can help to build a much clearer picture of your child’s strengths and difficulties. This can be particularly helpful for children who appear academically able but find that reading, writing or working quickly takes considerably more effort than expected.
An assessment is not simply about gaining extra time in the 11+. A diagnosis of dyslexia does not automatically mean that access arrangements will be awarded. Each grammar school, consortium or testing authority has its own criteria and application process. However, a diagnostic report can provide detailed evidence of your child’s profile and identify where additional support or adjustments may be appropriate.
Where possible, it is helpful to arrange an assessment well before the 11+ registration and access arrangements deadlines. This gives you time to understand your child’s needs, discuss the findings with their school and check the requirements of the particular 11+ provider.
I assess children from age 7 and regularly work with bright and able children whose underlying literacy or processing difficulties can sometimes be less obvious because they have developed effective ways of compensating.
Frequently Asked Questions from South Lincolnshire clients
My child is preparing for the 11+. Can a dyslexia assessment help?
Yes. A diagnostic assessment can be particularly helpful where a child appears academically able but finds reading, spelling, processing information or working at speed more difficult than expected. This can help you understand whether an underlying difficulty such as dyslexia may be affecting how easily your child can demonstrate their ability.
A diagnosis does not automatically entitle a child to extra time or other adjustments in the 11+. Access arrangements are determined by the relevant testing authority and their own criteria. However, a diagnostic report can provide useful evidence of your child’s individual profile. If the 11+ is a consideration, it is sensible to arrange an assessment well before registration and access arrangement deadlines.
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Do you provide dyslexia assessments across South Lincolnshire?
Yes. I work with children, young people and adults across South Lincolnshire, including Bourne, Market Deeping, Deeping St James, Spalding, Stamford and surrounding towns and villages.
Home assessments are available and are often the most convenient option for families. Assessments can also be arranged at schools or suitable local venues where appropriate. Remote assessment is available across the whole area.
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My child is doing well at school. Could they still be dyslexic?
Yes. Dyslexia does not mean that a child cannot be academically able or achieve good results. Some children develop effective strategies that allow them to compensate for their difficulties, particularly during primary school.
Parents may instead notice that reading takes longer than expected, spelling remains inconsistent or written work requires considerable effort. A child might also perform well when given plenty of time but find timed work much more difficult. A diagnostic assessment considers the wider pattern of strengths and difficulties rather than looking at attainment alone. Look at our bright child page for more insights.
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Do I need a referral from my child’s school or GP?
No. You can contact Defining Dyslexia directly and arrange a private diagnostic assessment without a referral from either your child’s school or GP.
Where possible, I will ask the school to provide some background information because this can add useful context to the assessment. However, you do not need the school’s permission to have your child assessed privately. If you are unsure whether a full assessment is appropriate, you are also welcome to have an initial conversation with me before deciding whether to proceed.
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Do you assess adults for dyslexia in South Lincolnshire?
Yes. Dyslexia assessments are available for adults across South Lincolnshire, including those who may have wondered about dyslexia for many years but were never assessed at school.
People seek an assessment for many different reasons. You may be struggling with reading, writing or processing information at work, returning to education or simply wanting to understand why certain things have always required more effort. Your assessment provides a clear diagnostic outcome alongside practical recommendations based on your individual profile.
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What happens after a dyslexia assessment?
You will receive a comprehensive diagnostic report explaining the assessment findings, your strengths and any areas of difficulty identified. The report also includes practical recommendations appropriate to your circumstances.
For children, this can help parents and schools understand what support may be helpful moving forward. For older students and adults, the report can also provide evidence when exploring appropriate support in further or higher education, including Disabled Students’ Allowance, or reasonable adjustments within the workplace.
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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.
Dyslexia Assessments and Local Support in SSouth Lincolnshire
Useful Local Information
- Liaise Lincolnshire – free, impartial SEND advice for Lincolnshire families County Offices, Newland, Lincoln, LN1 1YQ Tel: 0800 195 1635 | liaise@lincolnshire.gov.uk | liaiselincolnshire.org.uk Connecttosupport
- Lincolnshire Local Offer – local SEND services and provision lincolnshire.gov.uk/send-local-offer
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!