Dyslexic assessment - I have to pay

foolsgold99

Hi,
I'm in my thirties and since school I have always struggled with reading and numbers. I am educated and work full time but I really have to try hard when reading, etc. I have been putting off getting tested for suspected Dyslexia for years but I now feel that I really should do it to know once and for all. I know that dyslexia is covered under the Equality Act 2010 but I am absolutely shocked to find that there is no NHS testing or help. There are several website claiming to offer a test but for a fee. Even the individual charities only divert you to testing places at a cost of £250-£400 for a test :eek:

I cannot believe that a recognised condition is not catered for by the NHS and I can't afford to pay for the test. I really would like to get tested and any advice would be great.

I

helenthemum

I had to pay to get my son tested as the waiting lists for test was approx 9-12 months.

It was £350 5 years ago.

pmlindyloo

foolsgold99 wrote: »

Hi,
I'm in my thirties and since school I have always struggled with reading and numbers. I am educated and work full time but I really have to try hard when reading, etc. I have been putting off getting tested for suspected Dyslexia for years but I now feel that I really should do it to know once and for all. I know that dyslexia is covered under the Equality Act 2010 but I am absolutely shocked to find that there is no NHS testing or help. There are several website claiming to offer a test but for a fee. Even the individual charities only divert you to testing places at a cost of £250-£400 for a test :eek:

I cannot believe that a recognised condition is not catered for by the NHS and I can't afford to pay for the test. I really would like to get tested and any advice would be great.

I

Unfortunately there is no financial help for getting an assessment for Dyslexia.

May I suggest another route?

Supposing you could find the money and had the test, found out that you were dyslexic, what would you do then?

I think the important thing is that you are having difficulties with reading and numeracy and need to address this issue, rather that concentrating on a diagnosis of dyslexia.

You could contact your local education authority and explain your difficulties. Lots of authorities have courses to help adults who have your problems. It is even possible that they may be employing a tutor who is experienced in literacy and numeracy and may be able to 'test' you to find your particular difficulties and work with you to overcome your problems.

Good luck!

paddedjohn

As above says, what are you going to do if you are dyslexic? What if it turns out you are not?

foolsgold99

Thanks for the replies. I understand what you are saying but it is important that I know whether I am or not. I have reached a good level of education but I have had to work extra hard. I still have to do qualifications for my work and if I am indeed dyslexic then there are allowances that but it would need to be diagnosed.

It's strange that its just brushed aside by the state. After all if someone were overweight or smoked or abused drink or drugs and it affects their life there is no end of help and those are self inflicted.... Strange!

clemmatis

foolsgold99 wrote: »

Thanks for the replies. I understand what you are saying but it is important that I know whether I am or not. I have reached a good level of education but I have had to work extra hard. I still have to do qualifications for my work and if I am indeed dyslexic then there are allowances that but it would need to be diagnosed.

I agree that if you're dyslexic, you should know. Standard courses in literacy and numeracy might be of no use, but there are specific aids for dyslexia that a properly trained assessor could suggest. So I slightly disagree with other posters, I think you should try to get an assessment. You might as well though look into the literacy/numeracy classes run by your local authority.

I'm not surprised the private tests cost that much. I've only seen one full report on a diagnosed dyslexic, but that was massively detailed.

They can brush it aside -- for adults -- because they've decided to class it as nothing to do with health.

However

It's strange that its just brushed aside by the state. After all if someone were overweight or smoked or abused drink or drugs and it affects their life there is no end of help and those are self inflicted.... Strange!

Well now, 1. this "no end of benefits" is not really true 2. if it affects their health/.causes care/mobility needs, yes 3. There is help for diagnosed dyslexics, through, for example, Access to Work.

pmlindyloo

If you need to have an official diagnosis for being given special consideration in gaining your qualifications for work why don't you approach your employer and ask if they would be willing to help you with the money?

I am not sure whether your post is a bit of a rant or a genuine desire to improve your numeracy and literacy skills.

If you do/do not/ have dyslexia are you going to get some help?

forallotherthings

If you need to do qualifications through work are any through a university as they will do assessments for dyslexia and related conditions free of charge?

I was offered an assessment free of charge even doing a part time course at uni so it's worth a look if they are based within a university.

Edit as I somehow missed the above post which seems an easier way of going about it especially if you aren't with a university

foolsgold99

Thanks for your replies. I work full time but my work won't pay for an assessment. Unfortunately though, I don't have the funds to afford the cost and I wouldn't quality for the access to work scheme either. As far as the importance of being diagnosed goes. It is important to me to know either way. I'm educated but I really had to work extra hard for it. I'm often self deprecating because I struggle with reading and numbers and that has a knock on effect on confidence, etc. If, as suspected, it is through dyslexia then that really would help me understand and deal with things better. If not, then that too would be important.

As far as my comment regarding other self inflicted conditions being catered for. I wasn't going to mention that originally but I do stand by it. I'm not saying that those conditions shouldn't be treated. Far from it. However, I do find it difficult to accept that individuals who may have a recognised condition which can affect their life and work prospects cannot have a diagnosis on the NHS. I'll never have a spare £350-£400 going spare to pay for it myself.

stiltwalker

What qualifications are you doing/interested in? My OH is dyslexic and has been tested many years ago whilst still at school/college but had lost the paperwork (well previous employer not returned it). We are both doing OU degrees and whilst he could not get help before his first module once he was actually studying he got support to fund an assessment so his dyslexia could be documented and therefore taken into account (we are on a very low income though and both have full funding under transition arrangements). It took a while to organise but we would never have known about it if he hadn't spoken to an adviser on the OU open day. As a twist he has discovered through this test that he is far more profoundly dyslexic than he ever thought he was and this has ironically been a huge boost to him - he sees it as 'if I've done what I've done so far without appropriate support, what amazing things can I do now I have the support in place!'

Takeaway_Addict

foolsgold99 wrote: »

Thanks for your replies. I work full time but my work won't pay for an assessment. Unfortunately though, I don't have the funds to afford the cost and I wouldn't quality for the access to work scheme either. As far as the importance of being diagnosed goes. It is important to me to know either way. I'm educated but I really had to work extra hard for it. I'm often self deprecating because I struggle with reading and numbers and that has a knock on effect on confidence, etc. If, as suspected, it is through dyslexia then that really would help me understand and deal with things better. If not, then that too would be important.

As far as my comment regarding other self inflicted conditions being catered for. I wasn't going to mention that originally but I do stand by it. I'm not saying that those conditions shouldn't be treated. Far from it. However, I do find it difficult to accept that individuals who may have a recognised condition which can affect their life and work prospects cannot have a diagnosis on the NHS. I'll never have a spare £350-£400 going spare to pay for it myself.

All your posts are rather defeatist tone rather than proactive....try to change that.

Goto the debtfreewannabe board and put a Statement of Affairs up to find out where you could make that saving in the next few months and save for the test and if it takes a year it takes a year (I suspect not that long though)

You can either carry on moaning or do something about it but you should be proud of how far you have come anyway