Dyslexia Assessments for Adults and Children

Assessments

At Helen Arkell, we offer a range of assessments for adults and children.  We re-opened our Centre on Wednesday 3rd June, in line with the latest guidance regarding the easing of restrictions to manage 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 the coming weeks.

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. As a general rule while many assessments are carried out by HASAs,  we also work with affiliated Educational Psychologists on a regular basis.

Where do assessments take place?

The majority of our assessments are carried out at our Helen Arkell Centre, Frensham, near Farnham, Surrey GU10 3BL, UK.

South London Hub
We also offer assessments at our South London Hub in Southwark, at John Keats Primary School, 391 Rotherhithe New Road, SE16 3FN.  Please contact us for dates and availability.  

Wessex Hub
We offer assessments at our new Wessex Hub, at Sarum College, 19 The Close, Salisbury, SP1 2EE.  Sarum College is only 15 minutes from the train station and there is a small car park within Cathedral Close along with others in the city centre.  

Oxford Hub
Assessments are now available at our new Oxford Hub, at Prama House, 267 Banbury Road, Summertown, Oxford, OX2 7HT.  

All bookings for assessments at our Frensham Centre, South London, Wessex and Oxford hubs are handled by the same admin team.  Please make us aware of your preferred venue when contacting us.

How do I book an assessment?

The first step to arranging an assessment is to complete one of our comprehensive questionnaires to give us background information.

For a child's assessment please complete the following online forms:

Family Questionnaire  

School Questionnaire (for child's school to complete)

For an adult assessment please complete the following online form:

Adult Assessment Questionnaire

Please note that the online form works best on laptops or desktop computers which enable you to write content more completely and easily.

If you experience any issues please complete using a desktop or printed form and either scan and email using the link below or send via post to us.

Please do not try to print the online form as this is designed for web use and not for printing.

Or you can print the questionnaires:

Family Questionnaire

School Questionnaire

Adult Assessment Questionnaire

Once your questionnaire is received, one of our senior professional staff will read it and recommend which type of assessment is most appropriate.  Usually, where a purely dyslexic profile is indicated, a Helen Arkell Specialist Teacher assessment will be recommended.  If the profile looks a little more complicated, an Educational Psychologist assessment will be recommended.  It is important that as much background information as possible is provided in the questionnaire.

Next, you will be contacted by our administrative staff who will offer you 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, then 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.

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

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 3 weeks of the assessment. When the assessment is carried out by an Educational Psychologist (EP), s/he will advise the delivery date for the report.

On some occasions it is not possible to offer a clear-cut diagnosis of dyslexia.  In such circumstances, 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 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

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

 “..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