Should I Pay for a Private Dyslexia Assessment or Ask School First?
Updated: Oct 28
Start with the question you need answered
Parents often ask whether school should arrange a dyslexia assessment or whether it is quicker to book privately. There is no single correct route. The first question is what you need to understand. If a child is struggling with spelling, reading fluency or written work, school can begin investigating those needs and providing support.
If you need a detailed diagnostic explanation of whether the pattern is consistent with dyslexia, a formal assessment by an appropriately qualified professional may be useful. The two routes are complementary rather than competing.
What to ask school before spending money
Ask the class teacher or SENCo what has been noticed, what assessments have already been completed and what help is currently in place. Request specific information: does your child read accurately but slowly, struggle to decode unfamiliar words, make persistent spelling errors or find writing unusually effortful?
Ask how progress has been measured and what will happen next. It is reasonable to ask for a meeting even if the school has not raised concerns. Bring examples from homework and explain what you see at home, including fatigue, avoidance or the amount of adult support required.
School screening is not a diagnosis
Schools may use reading assessments, spelling checks, observations and dyslexia screening tools. These can identify areas of concern and guide teaching, but a screening result does not establish dyslexia. Some schools have access to specialist services; others do not routinely commission a full diagnostic assessment.
Availability varies by school and local authority, so ask what is actually offered rather than assuming that a diagnostic assessment will be provided or that the school is obliged to fund one on request. A school should not postpone appropriate support while a family considers private assessment.
What a private assessment adds
A diagnostic assessment typically brings together background history, literacy skills, relevant processing findings and a reasoned conclusion. It can help explain why two children with similar spelling difficulties may need different approaches.
The report should identify strengths as well as barriers, and make recommendations that are realistic in the child's educational setting. A private assessment does not automatically secure a particular intervention, an Education, Health and Care Plan, or examination extra time. Those decisions follow separate processes and evidence requirements.
Consider timing and the child’s circumstances
A family might reasonably seek assessment before the move to secondary school, when literacy difficulties persist despite teaching, or when a teenager wants a clearer understanding of their learning. Equally, it may be sensible to allow a period of targeted support and review before deciding.
Ask whether the child is comfortable with an assessment and whether online or face-to-face delivery is appropriate. A responsible assessor should discuss suitability and explain that a diagnosis cannot be promised in advance.
Compare the full cost, not just the headline fee
If considering private assessment, ask what the price includes: background questionnaires, testing, a written report, feedback and any follow-up questions. For a specialist teacher assessor, check their assessment qualification and current Assessment Practising Certificate (APC); for a practitioner psychologist, check HCPC registration.
An APC is not a requirement for HCPC-registered practitioner psychologists. Clarify cancellation terms and how long the report may take. A very cheap screening package is not equivalent to a comprehensive diagnostic assessment. Conversely, a higher fee alone does not guarantee a better report.
A sensible decision route
Begin with a school conversation and request a clear account of needs and support. If school information already answers your questions and provision is improving, you may not need a private diagnosis immediately.
If the picture remains unclear, progress is limited, or the child would benefit from a comprehensive explanation, explore assessment. Whichever route you choose, agree practical support and a review date with school. The most useful outcome is not simply a document; it is a better understanding of what helps your child learn.
Discussing an assessment
Mark Trewby offers diagnostic dyslexia assessments online across the UK for ages 11–21 and face-to-face in Bournemouth for ages 8–21. The £400 fee includes a personalised report within seven working days and feedback. An introductory conversation can help you discuss suitability; a diagnosis cannot be promised in advance.