{"id":10719,"date":"2018-10-29T05:39:48","date_gmt":"2018-10-29T05:39:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.dyslexiadaily.com\/blog\/?p=10719"},"modified":"2026-03-30T07:35:05","modified_gmt":"2026-03-30T07:35:05","slug":"how-to-get-a-learning-assessment-for-your-struggling-child","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.dyslexiadaily.com\/blog\/how-to-get-a-learning-assessment-for-your-struggling-child\/","title":{"rendered":"How to get a learning assessment for your struggling child"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"How do you go about getting an assessment or diagnosis for a struggling learner? This is a topic that I cover extensively in my book: Helping Children With Dyslexia.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

I wrote this book (currently in its 2nd edition) as a direct response to helping my three children who have now all been diagnosed with dyslexia. It was during this time I was approached by lots of other parents who also needed help and advice in this area.<\/span> <\/p>\n

You can find this book in local libraries, bookshops, online at our website: Dyslexia Daily<\/strong><\/a>, or on Amazon<\/strong><\/a>. We ship this book all over the world. The foreword is written by Virgin entrepreneur, Sir Richard Branson, who is a wonderful man and an advocate for children with school learning difficulties.<\/span> <\/p>\n

Why you need to know if your child has a learning disability or not<\/span><\/strong> <\/p>\n

There seems to be a general worldwide trend of reluctance to label children with a specific learning disability. Most parents will have their own view on this.<\/span> <\/p>\n

The reality is this; a reluctance to label a child can have the following outcome:<\/span> <\/p>\n

\u201cWithout some form of diagnosis and recognised label, your child may never receive the level of assistance they are entitled to, from their school or relevant educational authority.\u201d<\/em><\/span><\/div>\n\n

Ultimately, it is a parent\u2019s choice whether their child is tested or not and whether any diagnosis or label determined is applied. What is important, however, is that help is offered to the struggling learner as early as possible. This is the one time where being pushy can be a major positive. It can also be the difference between your child receiving additional support and assistance or not.<\/span> <\/p>\n

\u201cThe years of formal education are a short phase of a person\u2019s life, but what happens during these years can determine the adult they will become, the attitudes, skills and confidence they
develop and the future they look forward to.\u201d <\/em><\/span><\/div>\n\n

Even without a label or definitive diagnosis, your child can still receive extra assistance from teachers, educational specialists and parents, if they are struggling to reach educational benchmarks. You can also begin to offer your child some assistance at home. <\/span> <\/p>\n

\u201cWhen a child is in the classroom, the school work they produce and their behaviour may illustrate symptoms of a brain processing problem, but this is not and never will be, an accurate way to diagnose a school learning difficulty or \u2018Dyslexia\u2019.\u201d<\/em><\/span><\/div>\n\n

Many experts define Dyslexia as a complex brain-processing problem which needs to be diagnosed accurately by specialists with the appropriate qualifications.<\/span> <\/p>\n

Teachers generally see the symptoms that occur when a child is struggling, but this is not enough.<\/span> <\/p>\n

Dyslexia or other specific learning difficulties can be so complex, only individuals with the appropriate qualifications can diagnose them. These qualifications must also be recognised by your state education authority, in order for your child to successfully apply for accommodations at school and around exams and assessments, particularly in secondary school.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t spend money on a learning difficulty diagnosis that is not going to get your child the support they require from your relevant educational authority. Make sure you get a diagnosis from a qualified and recognised individual.\u201d<\/em><\/span><\/div>\n\n

Who is qualified to test your child for a Specific Learning Difficulty or Dyslexia?<\/span><\/strong> <\/p>\n