South Ribble Dyslexia Assessment

A great day out of the Positive Dyslexia Assistive Technology Conference today. So many interesting useful and interesting apps and software to look at.

Plus a great chance to meet up with other assessors and share good practice.

A great day yesterday at the " Future of SpLD Assessment" conference, by Hogrefe.

I met the authors of one the new tests, along with lots of amazing assessors

A day talking dyslexia and all things SpLD, absolutely fabulous (until the delayed train journey home includes an unscheduled train change half way home!)

Good luck to everyone getting GCSE results today.

This is good to see touch typing is such a useful skill to have

⌨️ Touch typing made fun!

Is handwriting tricky? Touch typing is a powerful skill that can open doors and we make it easy and enjoyable to learn.

Join our three-day Introduction to Touch Typing course this summer, designed for mixed ages and packed with interactive, multi-sensory techniques.

Limited afternoon slots still available!

🗓️ 28–30 July, 1.30–3.00pm daily

📍 In-person sessions
💻 Learners bring their own device with keyboard

By day three, students will know all the letter keys - with progress into punctuation and numbers.
Daily practice + take-home tasks build confidence and skill.

💡 Limited funding for subsidised places may be available. Please email [email protected] to apply.

💬 One happy learner said:
“Now I’m a lot better at typing than I first was. It is also an effective way of learning.” – AB

🌟 Secure your place: https://helenarkell.org.uk/events/touch-typing-july-2025/

This looks like it could be interesting

Every month we host a free online get-together, and we’d love for you to join us!

This is a safe, supportive space to connect with like-minded individuals, share experiences, and discuss the everyday realities of dyslexia. Whether you're personally affected or supporting someone who is, this is a chance to be part of a welcoming community that truly understands.

📅 Monday 14 July | 8 -9pm
🔗 https://bit.ly/45P4u5a

An interesting article in Times Ed about DCD Dyspraxia. For children the referal route for an assessment is via the GP, paediatican or Occupational Therapist. However, for adults a Specialist Teacher Assessor who has completed additional training (like me😀), can carry out an assessment to identify characteristics of DCD/Dyspraxia, identify strengths and challenges and provide strategies to support and develop skills

This article mainly focuses on children, however in adults challengea can often be seen in planning and organiarional skills

What is DCD (dyspraxia) and how does it affect learning? | Tes

DCD: the common SEND you’ve probably never heard of Developmental coordination disorder (dyspraxia) affects as many children as ADHD but is widely misunderstood. So, what do teachers need to know about this condition?

I've had a fantastic day at the Positive Dyslexia, Dyscalculia conference at Edge Hill University. Even though I don't currently assess for dyscalculia, it was interesting to hear current research.

I also attended workshops on maths anxiety and the co occurrence of dyslexia and dyscalculia. Lots to process and think about

As A level and other Level 3 courses finish, many students are preparing for university. If you have dyslexia , or think you dyslexia you could apply for Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA), to access support at university.

Via DSA students with dyslexia or other Specific Learning Difficulties, can receive study support and assistive technology.

To apply for DSA a full diagnostic assessment is required. DSA can take time to process so it's best to apply as soon as possible.

If you think you have dyslexia and would like an assessment, I have availability over the next few weeks.

More information about assessment is available on .my website
https://www.southribbledyslexia.com/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=wix_google_business_profile&utm_campaign=16473032798351016462

More information on DSA van
https://www.ucas.com/money-and-student-life/money/additional-funding/disabled-students-allowance-dsa

What's the point in having a dyslexia assessment?

This is a question I often get asked, especially by adults. There isn't a one-size-fits-all answer. The reasons people, both adults and children, seek an assessment are varied and go beyond accessing support or exam arrangements. An assessment and diagnosis of dyslexia (if that's the outcome) can have a wide range of benefits.

My recent blog post tries to answer these questions as simply as possible. Have a read and see what you think?

https://www.southribbledyslexia.com/post/what-are-the-benefits-of-having-a-dyslexia-assessment

What are the benefits of having a dyslexia assessment? A question I often get asked is, "What’s the point in having an assessment?The answer isn’t straightforward; there are lots of reasons why an assessment is a good idea. Some are obvious and for practical reasons, although having an assessment does not automatically mean you will receive a diagno...

If you or someone you know is heading to university in September and is likely to need support because of dyslexia, it's important to apply for Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA) as soon as possible, as it can take a while to process.

To apply for DSA for dyslexia, a formal diagnosis from an assessor with an APC (Assessment Practising Certificate) is needed. If you need an assessment to apply for DSA, and would like to get in touch, I have some limited availability over the next few weeks.

Help if you're a student with a learning difficulty, health problem or disability Disabled Students' Allowance is extra money for higher education students - DSA1 forms, eligibility, how to apply, needs assessment.

Following on from my earlier post for anyone wanting to know more about visual difficulties and visual perception, this is a really interesting read, written by a friend and fellow assessor

Are we seeing the whole picture? Visual perception and Specific Learning Difficulties This article by Hogrefe's Assessment Consultant, Sarah Sainty, breaks down what visual perception is and how to assess it using the IDS-2.