Combined Dyslexia and Dyscalculia Assessment

Why choose Hampshire Dyslexia?

 

Specialist expertise, with a personal approach

I am Dr Grace Elliott, founder of Hampshire Dyslexia. I bring more than 15 years’ experience in education, special educational needs and specialist learning support. My background includes working as a SENCO in primary and secondary education and as Professional Practice Manager at the British Dyslexia Association. My doctoral research focused on improving reading outcomes for adolescents. I hold a current Assessment Practising Certificate (APC) and AMBDA status. 

This combination of research, school experience and specialist assessment informs both how I interpret the findings and the recommendations I make.

 

Direct contact with your assessor

You work directly with me throughout the process. I take time to understand your concerns, conduct the assessment personally, explain the findings, and discuss next steps. My approach is supportive and strengths-based. I want you or your child to feel listened to, understand what the assessment involves, and have the opportunity to ask questions.

 

Recommendations for everyday learning and life

A report should do more than describe difficulties. My recommendations explain what may help with learning, study, work or everyday tasks, and how that support can be put into practice. For children and young people, this may include guidance for parents, teachers and the school’s SENCO. For adults, recommendations can focus on study strategies, workplace support and practical ways to manage written and numerical demands.

 

What does the combined assessment involve?

Before the appointment: understanding your concerns

We begin by discussing the difficulties you have noticed, your questions and what you hope to understand.

Background questionnaires help me gather information about educational history, previous support, current concerns and everyday experiences. You can also share relevant previous reports. For children, I ask the school to complete a questionnaire so that the assessment considers both classroom learning and experiences at home.

 

During the appointment: exploring literacy, maths and learning

The face-to-face assessment is tailored to the person’s age, background and needs. It may explore:

• Reading, spelling and writing: how accurately and fluently you read, your understanding of written information, spelling and written work.

• Number understanding and mathematical skills: understanding quantities, comparing numbers, estimating, place value, calculations, number facts and problem-solving.

• Memory and processing: how you hold information in mind, work with speech sounds, retrieve information and process written or visual material.

• Language and reasoning: how you understand information, recognise relationships and approach unfamiliar problems.

 

I consider how you approach tasks as well as the results, building a profile of strengths and areas of difficulty. Appointments are paced carefully, with breaks as needed.

Assessments are carried out in line with current guidance from the SpLD Assessment Standards Committee (SASC). 

 

After the appointment: clear findings and practical next steps

You will receive a comprehensive written report explaining the assessment findings in accessible language.

Your report will set out the evidence, explain whether a diagnosis is supported, and describe the individual pattern of strengths and needs. It will also include tailored recommendations for support and, where appropriate, suggestions for further advice. A follow-up consultation gives you time to discuss the report, ask questions and identify the most useful next steps.

You will receive recommendations on whether or not the findings support a diagnosis of dyslexia or dyscalculia.

 

How much does a combined dyslexia and dyscalculia assessment cost?

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£875, including your report and follow-up consultation. The fee includes background information review, the face-to-face assessment, analysis of the findings, a comprehensive written report and a follow-up discussion. Please allow approximately four hours for the combined assessment appointment. A £100 deposit secures your booking, with the remaining balance payable on the assessment date.  Standalone dyslexia and dyscalculia assessments are £600 each. Where both areas need assessment, the combined fee is £325 less than booking two standalone assessments.

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Not everyone needs a combined assessment. During your free consultation, I will help you consider which option is most appropriate.

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Frequently asked questions

Will the report help my child receive support at school or college?

The report can help the school or college understand your child’s learning needs and plan targeted support.

For GCSEs and A levels, a diagnosis does not automatically entitle a student to extra time or other exam access arrangements. These decisions depend on the school or college’s evidence of need, the student’s normal way of working and current JCQ requirements. Please speak to the SENCO before booking when exam arrangements are a particular concern, as school involvement before assessment is important. 

 

Can adults have a combined dyslexia and dyscalculia assessment?

Yes. I assess adults as well as children and young people. The assessment considers your educational history, current difficulties and the demands of study, work and everyday life.

You do not need to have been identified as having a learning difficulty at school to contact me.

 

What happens if dyslexia or dyscalculia is not diagnosed?

The assessment can still provide useful information about your strengths, difficulties and support needs.

I will explain what the findings do and do not show, and make recommendations based on your profile. Where another professional’s advice would be helpful, I will discuss this with you.

 

My child already has a dyslexia diagnosis. Do they need a combined assessment?

Not necessarily. Please share the previous report before booking.

A standalone dyscalculia assessment may be more appropriate, depending on the existing information and your current concerns. We can discuss the most suitable approach during your consultation.

 

Is struggling with maths always a sign of dyscalculia?

No. Maths difficulties can arise for different reasons. Dyscalculia involves particular difficulties with understanding and processing numbers and quantities, while other learning processes can also create significant barriers to mathematics.

An assessment explores these differences so that recommendations address the actual needs identified. 

 

Take the next step towards understanding

Whether you are seeking answers for your child or making sense of your own experiences, you do not have to work out the explanation alone.

 

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