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Dyslexia screening

Dyslexia is a common Specific Learning Difference (SpLD) that can cause problems with reading, writing and spelling. It is estimated that up to one in every 10-20 people in the UK has some degree of dyslexia. 

If you experience any of the following difficulties and would like to be screened for dyslexia, please .

  • Confusion of visually similar words, e.g., ‘how’ and ‘who’, or ‘saw’ and ‘was'.
  • Slow reading/writing speed.
  • Needing to reread texts to draw meaning. 
  • Erratic spelling (including difficulties sounding out words). 
  • Finding it difficult to organise information and ideas in writing. 
  • Finding it hard to listen and maintain attention/focus.
  • Finding it hard to remember sequences of instructions.
  • Having difficulty with personal organisation, time management and prioritising tasks.

How to arrange a screening

  • If you are interested in taking a QuickScreen dyslexia screening test, please  with your full name and student ID number. We will then send you a link to the screening test and instructions on how to take the test. 
  • The online dyslexia screening will take approximately 45 minutes to complete.
  • Please note: A dyslexia screening does not provide a diagnosis. A full diagnostic assessment is required for diagnosis. 
  • After you have completed the screening, we will inform you of your results. If your results indicate a moderate or high probability of an underlying Specific Learning Difference, we generally recommend that you proceed to a full diagnostic assessment.   

Going for a full diagnostic assessment

  • If your results indicate there may be an underlying Specific Learning Difference, we recommend you go for a full diagnostic assessment. This will assess you for the full range of Specific Learning Differences, including dyslexia, dyspraxia and dyscalculia. 
  • Funding
    • If you are a UK student and your household income is below £28,065 in the 2023/24 academic year, the College may be able to assist you with meeting this cost. If we recommend that you have an assessment, you will receive an email from Student Advice advising on how to apply for the funding.  
    • Once you’ve provided your financial evidence, we will confirm whether you are eligible for College funding and refer you to our diagnostic assessor. They will conduct a full diagnostic assessment, online, which will last about two hours. You will need to have a computer or tablet (the assessment cannot be conducted on your phone) and a pen and paper. 
    • If you are not able to attend the assessment, please ensure that you give the assessor at least 24 hours’ notice. 
    • If you’re not eligible for College funding to meet the cost of a diagnostic assessment, we can advise on a suitable diagnostic assessor to see you privately. 
  •  Post-diagnosis
    • Once you’ve had an assessment, the assessor will send you a diagnostic report. It is important for you to then contact us so we can arrange for you to see a Disability Advisor, so they can explain the support that is available and begin the process of putting this support in place.  
    • If your screening indicates a low probability of an underlying SpLD, but you would still like to have a full diagnostic assessment, you may also wish to see a diagnostic assessor privately. 

Benefits of a diagnostic assessment

  • The diagnostic assessor will provide a report, confirming whether you have a Specific Learning Difference, and what this is. The report will describe in detail how your learning style is impacted upon by this and explain your strengths and weaknesses. 
  • This report can help you work to your strengths and manage the challenges you face with learning most effectively. 
  • With a full diagnosis, you will be able to receive reasonable adjustments from the College, including extended loans in the Library, additional time in examinations etc. 
  • If you are a UK student and you have dyslexia, you can receive the Disabled Students' Allowance. This means you can get support to purchase computers with assistive technology software and specialist study skills support. Students who receive this assistance are significantly more likely to complete their courses and achieve higher grades.  

Study skills

  • Students with SpLDs are often allocated weekly study skills support sessions from the Disabled Students’ Allowance. These are one-to-one, personalised support sessions with specialist tutors who are qualified in teaching students with SpLDs. This is non-subject-specific support. The tutors are not permitted to proofread but can teach you strategies for proofreading yourself.
  • If you have DSA-funded study skills support, but have not taken this up, we strongly recommend you do so. You should contact the provider on your Disabled Students’ Allowance entitlement letter to arrange the support.