Some children need additional support to learn to read and write but this does not necessarily mean they have dyslexia.
What is Dyslexia?
Dyslexia is a Specific Learning Difficulty (SpLD) which only affects certain aspects of learning. This is different to a general learning difficulty/disability (LD) which impacts all areas of learning.
Dyslexia may be noticed when a child has difficulty learning literacy skills (reading and writing).
We (Hertfordshire County Council) do not fund dyslexia assessments because a diagnosis is not required to gain the support needed to help your child.
If you wish to pay for a private assessment please visit the British Dyslexia Association for information.
What should I do if I have concerns about my child?
Between 3-6 children in every class have dyslexic tendencies. The class teacher is responsible for planning and delivering adjustments to the teaching and learning to enable all children to make progress.
In Hertfordshire we refer to persistent literacy difficulties rather than dyslexia because a diagnosis is not needed. All schools are required to provide any additional interventions that are needed to support children. This is called Ordinarily Available Provision, and all schools are required to provide this.
Teachers are expected to have a good understanding of persistent literacy difficulties and SEN Co-ordinators (SENCos) are trained to carry out evidence-based assessments to identify areas of literacy that need additional support. If you have concerns about your child’s progress in literacy, please speak to your SENCo.
What can the school do to help my child?
All schools are required to publish a SEN Information Report, and SEN policy on their school website. This will outline the strategies and approaches the school will provide to support teaching and learning.
Your school might talk to you about adding your child to the 'SEN Support' register. This means that they have some concerns about your child's learning and will monitor this through the 'Assess, Plan, Do, Review' process. An individual learning plan will be created and discussed with you and your child. Your child does not need a medical diagnosis or an Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP) to have targeted support.
Find out about the Cognition and Learning Team and view Hertfordshire's assessment tools and guidance.
Download the Word Reading and Spelling Assessment (pdf 729kb)