Defining Dyslexia

☀️ Summer Availability Update ☀️

The summer holidays can be an ideal time to arrange a dyslexia assessment. Without the pressures of school, many children feel more relaxed, and there is time for reports and recommendations to be in place before the new academic year begins.

I now have limited appointments remaining over the summer, with a small number of assessment slots still available.

If you’ve been wondering whether your child might have dyslexia, or you’ve been considering arranging an assessment before September, now is a good time to get in touch.

📍 Home assessments across South Yorkshire, Peterborough, Stamford, Rutland and surrounding areas.

💻 Remote assessments available across the UK.

If you’re unsure whether an assessment is the right next step, I’m always happy to have an informal chat first.

👉 www.definingdyslexia.org

📚 Does homework end in tears?

If your child has dyslexia, homework can take much longer than expected. It is not because they are lazy or not trying hard enough.

Many children with dyslexia are working twice as hard just to:
• remember instructions
• organise their ideas
• read the task
• write their answers
• stay focused until the end

A few simple changes at home can make homework less stressful for everyone.

We've created a FREE downloadable guide packed with practical tips that parents can start using straight away.

👉 Download it now from the Free Guides section on our website:
🌿 www.definingdyslexia.org

One price. Everything included.

When you’re looking for a dyslexia assessment, it can be difficult to compare services.

Some providers charge extra for the report. Others charge for follow-up support, recommendations or additional meetings.

I’ve always wanted to do things differently.

When you book an assessment with Defining Dyslexia, the price includes everything you need.

✔ A comprehensive specialist assessment
✔ A detailed, easy-to-understand report
✔ Personalised recommendations tailored to you or your child
✔ Post-assessment support if you have questions afterwards
✔ A report that meets the standards required by schools, universities and employers
✔ The choice of a face-to-face or remote assessment, with exactly the same high-quality service

No hidden costs.

No unexpected extras.

Just a thorough assessment that helps you understand why difficulties are happening and, more importantly, what to do next.

I believe clarity shouldn’t come with surprise fees.

If you’d like to know more about what’s included or which assessment is right for you, feel free to get in touch.

🌐 www.definingdyslexia.org

Which assessment is right for you?

One of the questions I’m asked most often is:

“Which assessment do I actually need?”

The answer depends on where you are in your journey.

👨‍👩‍👧 Concerned about your child?
Perhaps they’re bright but reading, spelling, writing or organisation seems much harder than it should.

🎓 A student?
You may need a diagnostic assessment to help access university support, understand your learning profile, or gain the evidence needed for reasonable adjustments.

👤 An adult looking for answers?
Many adults spend years wondering why reading, writing, organisation or memory has always felt more difficult. It’s never too late to find out why.

If any of these sound familiar, you’re not alone.

✔ APC Registered Assessor
✔ Reports accepted by schools and universities
✔ Face-to-face appointments in South Yorkshire and Cambridgeshire
✔ Remote assessments available anywhere in the UK
✔ Ongoing guidance after your assessment

A good assessment doesn’t just answer the question, “Is it dyslexia?” It explains your individual strengths and challenges, and provides practical recommendations that can make a real difference.

If you’re not sure which option is right for you or your family, feel free to get in touch. I’m always happy to point you in the right direction.

📍 Face-to-face or remote across the UK
🌐 www.definingdyslexia.org

Starting Secondary School with Dyslexia 💚

For many children, starting secondary school is exciting.

New friends. New subjects. New opportunities.

For a child with dyslexia, those same opportunities can sit alongside very real worries.

📚 Longer reading tasks.
✏️ More writing.
📝 Increased homework.
⏰ Faster-paced lessons.
💭 Worrying about keeping up or standing out.

The important thing to remember is that dyslexia does not limit potential.

With the right understanding, appropriate support, and strategies that work for your child, they can thrive at secondary school just as much as anyone else.

Many of the children we assess arrive feeling worried about the transition. A diagnosis does not change who they are, but it often helps families and schools understand why things have felt difficult and what support will make the biggest difference.

If your child is moving to secondary school this September and you are wondering whether dyslexia could be part of the picture, the summer holidays can be an ideal time to gain clarity before they start.

At Defining Dyslexia, we provide diagnostic assessments for children aged 8+ across South Yorkshire and Cambridgeshire, as well as remotely across the UK.

💚 Understanding builds confidence.
💚 Confidence helps children succeed.

📩 If you’d like to know more about dyslexia assessments or simply want to ask a question, feel free to get in touch.

🤔 What if it isn’t dyslexia?

This is one of the most common questions I hear from parents before an assessment.

The simple answer is… that’s okay.

A diagnostic assessment isn’t about trying to “prove” someone has dyslexia. It’s about understanding why they are finding learning difficult.

Sometimes an assessment confirms dyslexia. Other times it identifies difficulties with areas such as:
📖 Reading fluency
🧠 Working memory
⚡ Processing speed
🔤 Phonological processing
💭 Attention and executive functioning
✍️ Written expression

Just as importantly, it identifies strengths that can be used to support learning.

Having clear answers means schools, colleges, universities and families can make informed decisions about the right support and interventions, whatever the outcome.

A diagnosis can be helpful, but understanding a person’s learning profile is often even more valuable.

📖 Read the full article here:
https://www.definingdyslexia.org/knowledge/what-if-it-isnt-dyslexia-what-a-formal-assessment-really-tells-you/

Have you ever worried about what an assessment might find? Share your thoughts or experiences in the comments. 👇

Been great to support a worthy cause and get some more information out there for parents.

❓ Does my child have ? How can I get a dyslexia assessment for them? Many families and individuals reach a point where they know something isn’t quite right but feel unsure where to turn next.

💬 In this complete guide, Mark Wilson explains your options clearly, so you can take the next step with confidence.

🔗 Read the complete Guide now: https://bit.ly/4eiAjY3

Wondering if it’s more than “just finding school difficult”?

One of the things I learnt during my years as a teacher and SENCO is that many children, young people and adults spend years working much harder than those around them without really understanding why.

They are often bright, curious and capable, yet reading, writing, spelling or organisation seem to require much more effort than expected. Over time, this can affect confidence just as much as learning itself.

Understanding why someone is struggling doesn’t place a label on them. Instead, it provides clarity, helping to identify strengths, explain challenges and guide the right support.

Whether you’re a parent with concerns about your child, a university student, or an adult who has always wondered why learning has felt more difficult than it should, you’re certainly not alone.

If you’ve been looking for answers, I hope the information on my website is helpful.

🌿 www.definingdyslexia.org

Think your child may have dyslexia but aren’t sure how to start the conversation with school?

Speaking to your child’s teacher can feel overwhelming. Many parents worry about saying the wrong thing or not being taken seriously.

The reality is that you don’t need to have all the answers. You simply need to start the conversation.

When you meet with school, it can help to:
✅ Share specific examples of the difficulties you’ve noticed.
✅ Ask what they are seeing in the classroom.
✅ Find out whether any standardised assessments have been completed.
✅ Discuss what support is currently in place and whether it is helping.
✅ Agree on clear next steps before leaving the meeting.

Working together is often the best way to understand what’s going on and ensure the right support is put in place.

I’ve written a practical guide to help parents prepare for these conversations and feel more confident.

Read it here:
https://www.definingdyslexia.org/knowledge/how-to-talk-to-your-childs-teacher-about-dyslexia-concerns/

Have you ever had to raise concerns with your child’s school? What advice would you give another parent? Share your thoughts below. 👇

Writing is one of the most demanding tasks we ask learners to do.

It requires motor skills, spelling, language, memory, organisation, and attention to work together simultaneously.

When writing becomes difficult, it affects confidence as much as attainment.

The earlier we understand the reason behind the difficulty, the sooner we can provide the right support.

💚 Understanding today, embracing potential tomorrow.

🌐 definingdyslexia.org