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Assessment Services

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Dyslexia Assessment for Children in Cornwall

If your child is working hard but reading, spelling or writing still feels like a struggle, a diagnostic assessment can help you understand why. I'm Chrissy Hyatt, a qualified specialist teacher assessor, and I assess children from age 8 at my office in Threemilestone, Truro.

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An assessment does more than answer the question "Is it dyslexia?" It gives you a clear picture of your child's strengths and difficulties, with practical recommendations for home and school.

Is an assessment right for my child?

You don't need to be sure your child has dyslexia before getting in touch. Parents often contact me when they notice things like:

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  • reading that is slow or takes a lot of effort

  • spellings learned for a test but forgotten soon after

  • written work that doesn't reflect what their child can say out loud

  • difficulty remembering instructions, sequences or times tables

  • homework taking much longer than it should, or causing upset

  • a school screening result that has raised questions​

 

Some children are struggling visibly. Others manage at school but are exhausted at home. Both deserve attention. You can read more about the signs of dyslexia in children.

What does an assessment look at?

A full diagnostic assessment uses standardised tests to build a complete picture of how your child learns. It includes:

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  • Underlying ability: verbal and non-verbal reasoning

  • Working memory: holding and working with information

  • Phonological awareness: hearing and manipulating sounds in words

  • Phonological processing speed: how quickly sounds and names are retrieved

  • Reading: accuracy, speed and understanding

  • Spelling and writing​

 

I also gather background information from you and, where helpful, from your child's school. A diagnosis is never based on a single score or a checklist; it comes from looking at all the evidence together.

How to explain it to your child

Keep it simple and positive: "You're going to do some activities so we can find out how you learn best." Children often feel relieved to hear that the aim is to make things easier for them.

Your child's report

Within three weeks, you'll receive a detailed report of 25–30 pages by email. It explains:

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  • whether your child has dyslexia, with the evidence behind the conclusion

  • their strengths as well as their areas of challenge

  • individual recommendations for school

  • practical ideas you to support learning at home

 

The report is written so that parents and teachers can understand it and act on it.

After the assessment

Most families share the report with their child's class teacher and SENCo, so school can put the recommendations in place. If your child is approaching exams, the school will use the report alongside its own evidence when deciding on access arrangements for exams. A diagnosis doesn't automatically mean extra time, but it helps the school understand what your child's needs are.

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If you have questions after reading the report, please get in touch.

About me

I'm a qualified specialist teacher assessor with an Assessment Practising Certificate (APC), and a member of The BDA, PATOSS and Dyslexia Guild.

 

I've spent many years working with children and young people with dyslexia and literacy difficulties, and I know how much a clear explanation can mean to a family.

 

My aim is for every child to leave feeling that they did well, and for every parent to leave knowing what to do next.

Cost and booking

A full diagnostic dyslexia assessment for a child costs £395, including the full written report.

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Booking is simple:

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  1. Book a free 15-minute advice call, so we can talk about your child and whether an assessment is the right step.

  2. If you'd like to go ahead, we'll agree a date by phone.

  3. I'll email you a booking confirmation with payment details.

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Payment can be made by bank transfer, or flexible payment options are available including Klarna, PayPal, and Clearpay.​​​​​

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Frequently asked questions

What age can my child be assessed?

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I assess children from age 8. Before that, reading and spelling skills are still developing quickly, and it's harder to draw reliable conclusions. If your child is younger and you're concerned, I'm happy to talk about ways to support them in the meantime.

 

Can school diagnose dyslexia?

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Schools can screen for dyslexia, but a screening isn't a diagnosis. A diagnosis needs a full assessment by a qualified specialist teacher or educational psychologist. Read more about screening vs diagnostic assessment.

 

Will school accept a private report?

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Yes. I am an APC-holding assessor, and I write reports to recognised professional standards, which schools use to plan support.

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What if my child doesn't have dyslexia?

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The assessment is still valuable. It shows what is making learning challenging, whether that's working memory, language, or something else, and the report includes recommendations either way.

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Do you assess adults too?

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Yes. I also assess teenagers, students and adults. Find out more about dyslexia assessment in Cornwall.

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Not sure where to start?

You don't need to have all the answers before you get in touch. A free advice call is a relaxed way to talk through your concerns, with no obligation to book.

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​Related reading: Is My Child Dyslexic? · Early Signs of Dyslexia · Dyslexia in School · Signs of Dyslexia in Teenagers

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