Assessments

At Helen Arkell, we offer a range of assessments for adults and children. 

Covid arrangements

We re-opened our Centre in June and continue to work in line with the latest guidance regarding management of the COVID-19 pandemic. You can find more information here on what to expect when you visit us on the day of your assessment in at this time. We are currently experiencing a particularly high demand for dyslexia assessments due to the effects of Covid-19 which in many cases is causing a long lead time between initial enquiry and getting back to you, to offer dates for an assessment, which is going to be several months ahead.  The lead time for an assessment with an Educational Psychologist is currently 6-9 months.  We apologise for the situation and our administration team are working as hard as they can to deal with the unprecedented levels of enquiries.  We appreciate your patience.

Our Assessment Team

We have our own team of highly trained Specialist Assessors (HASAs) who are professionally qualified to assess, report, and diagnose dyslexia. They are also able to advise on all aspects of dyslexia and literacy/numeracy. While many assessments are carried out by HASAs, we also regularly work with affiliated Educational Psychologists (EPs).

Where Assessments Take Place

Surrey Centre

Most of our assessments are carried out at our Helen Arkell Centre in Frensham near Farnham in Surrey (GU10 3BL). All assessments are booked centrally by our Surrey admin team. Assessments also take place at the hubs listed below. Please make us aware of your preferred venue when you contact us.

South London Hub

In Southwark, at John Keats Primary School, 391 Rotherhithe New Road, SE16 3FN. 

Wessex Hub

At Sarum College, 19 The Close, Salisbury, SP1 2EE.

Oxford Hub

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

Booking an assessment

Complete the appropriate comprehensive online questionnaire(s). It is important that as much background information as possible so please add any relevant information.

Step 1 Questionnaires

Please ask if you need help filling in the questionnaires.

(These online forms work best on a laptop or desktop computer. If you prefer, please print and scan or post the following PDF versions)

Child assessment

For an assessment for anyone aged under 18 please complete:

Online Family Questionnaire - this gives us background information into your child, their development, family history and any problems.

 Printable Family Questionnaire 

Online School Questionnaire - this is for your child's school to complete and covers your child's schooling and any interventions. We have found that our Assessors produce a more well-rounded report, and its recommendations are more likely to be implemented if the school has completed a questionnaire.

 Printable School Questionnaire  

Adult assessment

For an adult assessment (18+) please complete the following online form:

Online Adult Assessment Questionnaire - this questionnaire covers your early development, health and current situation. If it is not possible to consult your parents or carers about your early development, please answer as many questions as possible.

 Printable Adult Assessment Questionnaire

Step 2 Assessment recommendation

Once your questionnaire is received, one of our senior professional staff will read it and recommend the most appropriate type of assessment.

Helen Arkell Specialist Assessor (HASA) Assessment - usually, where a purely dyslexic profile is indicated, a Helen Arkell Specialist Teacher assessment will be recommended. These are face-to-face, interactive assessments with practical tasks that take around two hours.

Educational Psychologist (EP) Assessment - if the profile looks a little more complicated, an Educational Psychologist assessment will be recommended. These assessments deal only with educational issues and do not touch on any other psychological issues.

Step 3 Assessment booking

You will be contacted by our admin team with a selection of dates and times to book an assessment, should you wish to proceed. If you need more time to consider your way forward, there is no obligation to commit to an assessment at this point. You may wish to come in and talk to one of our professionals. If so, do make an appointment for either a Consultation for Adults or a Consultation for Parents.

Step 4 Payment and confirmation

Once you are ready to book an assessment date, a deposit is needed to secure the booking. You can discuss access to our bursary fund with our admin team.

After the assessment

All assessments arranged through the Centre allow time before and after the assessment for discussion.

Reports written by Helen Arkell Specialist Assessors are sent within three weeks of the assessment. When the assessment is carried out by an Educational Psychologist (EP), they will advise the delivery date for the report.

Sometimes it is not possible to offer a clear-cut diagnosis of dyslexia. If this happens, a comprehensive description of the profile, including strengths and weaknesses, will be given. If necessary, other professionals, such as a speech and language therapist or occupational therapist may be recommended, and contact details will be provided.

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

"…Mrs T. said thank you for what was 'one heck of a report' and she was 'bowled over'. She took it into school and the SENCO/tutor in school said she had 'never seen one as thorough'." MT