The assessment process

For literacy-dyslexia and/or maths-dyscalculia assessments only

There're 2 things that can help speed up the booking process:

1. Please ensure that the person being assessed has had a standard eyesight test in the past 2 years. Allow enough time to get used to a new prescription before the assessment with me.

2. Even if there's no history of eyesight difficulties, we ask that signs of visual discomfort or disturbances are explored before the assessment date so that we have confidence in the assessment outcome. Please click on this link to this questionnaire and, if booking for your child, ensure that you ask them these questions.

Discovery Calls: These can be booked HERE

For all others services: It's often more efficient to email me at [email protected] or send a message through my website as I can send you the information in writing. However, you can still call me on 01342 714065. It will help if you let me know the following:

• Diagnostic assessments: Please confirm whether both 'pre-assessment checks' on this page have been carried out, whether you're looking for literacy and/or maths skills to be explored and provide some context for your enquiry. I'll then send you a link to my online booking system to book a date and pay the deposit.

• Exam access arrangements: Please let me know which school your child goes to, which school year they're in and whether you've been asked by the school to contact me. For adults sitting professional exams, please let me know the name of the exam board, the exam(s) you're sitting and whether you can send me official documentation about the required evidence.

• Workplace needs assessments: Please provide some context, such as whether you're the employee or employer and what's led to your enquiry. I'll let you know my availability during the next 3 weeks so we can arrange the online meetings with the employer and employee.

• Neurodiversity workplace strategy/ADHD coaching: Please provide some context such as whether you're the employee or employer and what's led to your enquiry. I'll share some information to see if you'd like to go ahead.

All assessments except exam access arrangements: I'll ask you to complete an online questionnaire at least 14 days before the assessment date. There may be questionnaires for others to complete too depending on the type of assessment being booked, such as for the school/college (which is very strongly recommended), your employee or your employer.

Exam access arrangements linked to GCSEs/A' levels: The school or college will need to send me JCQ form 8 before the assessment date with the relevant sections completed.

I appreciate that having an assessment with someone unfamiliar can be rather daunting and therefore I offer a free 5-10 minute Zoom 'hello' in the days just beforehand so the person who's seeing me can say 'hello', ask questions, etc.

You'll receive an email the weekend before the appointment with some gentle reminders, such as what's needed on the day. For diagnostic assessments, there'll be an attachment for children/young people to introduce myself, share what to expect, etc.

For assessments at my home: If you're a parent, you're welcome to pop in to see my dining room which is where I assess. For very quick assessments, you may like to wait in your car or in my heated garden cabin. For longer assessments (e.g., diagnostic assessments), you can return just before I'm due to provide feedback or you can stay in your car or in my garden whilst I'm assessing your child. As well as outdoor seating areas, I have an insulated, heated outdoor garden cabin for parents to use. This has a comfy sofa and a TV with a FireStick where you can watch Netflix, BBC iPlayer, ITV-X, etc. All internal doors in my home are kept open and the patio door remains unlocked. You're welcome to come and use the toilet whenever you need it. The photos at the foot of this page may be helpful for you/your child to see my dining room, my garden cabin, etc.

Online assessments of all types: You will have received a Zoom link at the time of booking.

I provide immediate verbal feedback to explain my conclusion. For diagnostic and workplace needs assessments, this is up to 30 minutes. For exam access arrangements, this is up to 10 minutes.

For full diagnostic assessments (regardless of who pays for the assessment), I send reports and referral letters within 14 days of the assessment to only those named on them (or those with parental responsibility if under the age of 18 unless the person aged under 18 has arranged the assessment themselves). These reports are packed full of practical strategies as a diagnosis is just the starting point.

For assessments exploring only exam access arrangements, I'll share a short report with you (or your adult child if they're aged 18+) and, if working in conjunction with a school or college, I'll return JCQ form 8 to the SENCo within 48 hours.

For workplace needs assessments, the employee will receive a practical report outlining their needs, how these impact the job and practical recommendations to address these. Permission will be asked whether the employee is happy for the report to be shared with the employer too.