Assessments

At Helen Arkell, we offer a range of assessments for adults and children. An assessment will help someone understand their strengths, and why they may be experiencing difficulties in their learning or day-to-day life. 

An assessment will recommend how to support a child at home and at school and may be used as evidence for exam access arrangements, with prior consultation with the school or college. It may be used to apply for funded support at university, known as Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA), and help someone discuss appropriate reasonable adjustments in the workplace.

Our Assessment Team

We have our own team of highly qualified Specialist Assessors (HASAs) who can diagnose dyslexia across the age range. While many assessments are carried out by HASAs, we also regularly work with affiliated Educational Psychologists (EPs). 

Helen Arkell Specialist Assessor (HASA)

Our Specialist Assessors are qualified and experienced in assessing Primary and Secondary learners, and their reports provide specific and age-appropriate recommendations to support learning at school and at home. 

Some of our Specialist Assessors specialise in assessing post-16 students and adults. They can identify learning difficulties characteristic of Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD)/Dyspraxia, and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). They can make appropriate recommendations for Further Education or Higher Education and the workplace. 

Educational Psychologist (EP) 

Our Educational Psychologists (EP) are trained to assess for dyslexia in individuals who have a more complex range of possible learning differences, such as Autism, ADHD or significant mental health issues. EPs cannot diagnose Autism or ADHD themselves, as these are medical conditions and require assessment by the appropriate health professionals. We only recommend an EP when a learner has a complex range of needs.

Dyslexia assessments – warning of delays

We are currently experiencing a particularly high demand for dyslexia assessments with an Educational Psychologists (EP).   

Unfortunately we do not currently have any new dates to offer for face-to-face EP assessments at any of our centres, although we do have some availability for remote assessments for adults and for children.

The waiting list for EP assessments is currently for appointments in 6 months or more.

Alternative options you might like to consider exploring to find an Educational Psychologist are:

Association of Child Psychologists in Private Practice | AChiPPP 

British Psychological Society - Find a psychologist | BPS 

British Dyslexia Association - Assessments - British Dyslexia Association (bdadyslexia.org.uk)

The Owl Centre (theowltherapycentre.co.uk)

The Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) | (hcpc-uk.org)

Visual difficulties

Before we assess for dyslexia, we need to make sure that any literacy difficulties are not down to a visual issue. Please make sure that the person being assessed has had a sight test in the last two years before an assessment takes place.

Where assessments take place

Assessments take place in the following locations or online:

Farnham

Helen Arkell Dyslexia Centre, 24 West Street, Farnham, Surrey GU9 7DR

Oxford

At Prama House, 267 Banbury Road, Summertown, Oxford, OX2 7HT.

South London

At John Keats Primary School, 391 Rotherhithe New Road, SE16 

Yeovil

Nine Springs Natural Health Centre, 70 Hendford, Yeovil, BA20 1UR

Booking an assessment

Step 1 Make an enquiry

Please complete our enquiry form, and select the assessment you need. 

Step 2 Questionnaires

You will be asked to complete an online questionnaire(s). It is important that you provide as much background information as possible. 

Please ask if you need help filling in the questionnaires.

Step 3 Assessment booking

You will be contacted by our admin team with a selection of dates and times to book an assessment. 

Step 4 Payment and confirmation

Once you are ready to book an assessment date, a deposit is needed to secure the booking. 

If you need any help, phone us on 01252 792 400 or email us. 

"I really appreciate your support in getting H assessed so quickly and the kind, caring and supportive environment provided by the team at Helen Arkell that enabled H's assessment to be as stress free as possible." CC

"I just wanted to thank you and your colleagues at Helen Arkell for your time and support through the assessment process yesterday. It was an extremely positive experience and the friendliness and courtesy of all the staff really helped. The assessment was extremely thorough, professionally conducted and I look forward to receiving my report" JY