Can I get a dyslexia assessment on the NHS in Kent?

Not as a standalone service. In Kent, NHS routes usually focus on broader SEND support rather than a direct dyslexia diagnosis, so most families and adults use private specialist assessors for a formal report.

What qualifications should a dyslexia assessor have?

Look for a current APC, ideally alongside AMBDA, PATOSS membership, or SASC approval. These credentials show the assessor is qualified to provide a diagnostic report that schools, universities, and employers are more likely to accept.

What should a good dyslexia report include?

A useful report should give a clear diagnostic statement, standardised test scores, a plain-English explanation of the learning profile, and practical recommendations for school, university, or workplace support.

How do I choose between in-person and online assessments?

Both can be valid if the assessor is properly qualified and uses appropriate standardised tools. In-person may suit younger children or families wanting face-to-face feedback, while online can be more convenient for adults or rural Kent households.

Where Can I Get a Dyslexia Assessment in Kent? Local Providers, Costs and How to Choose the Right One

Q: How much does a dyslexia assessment cost in Kent?

A full private dyslexia assessment in Kent usually costs around £500 to £600, though some services are lower or higher depending on the assessor, format, and whether fast-track reporting is included.

thisisdyslexia
4 hours ago
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Where to get a dyslexia assessment in Kent

If you've typed "where can I get a dyslexia assessment in Kent" into a search engine recently, you're probably not just curious. You're worried. Maybe your child is struggling at school and nobody has a clear answer. Maybe you're an adult who has spent years wondering why certain things feel harder than they should. Either way, you need practical information, not another list that leaves you more confused than when you started.

This guide gives you exactly that: who provides dyslexia assessments in Kent, what they cost, what qualifications to look for, and how to decide which option is right for your situation.

The short answer: In Kent, dyslexia assessments are available privately from specialist assessors, typically costing between £400 and £700 for a full diagnostic report. The NHS does not routinely offer standalone dyslexia assessments. For most families and adults, a private specialist assessor is the fastest and most effective route to a formal diagnosis and the support that follows.

Can You Get a Dyslexia Assessment on the NHS in Kent?

This is the first question most people ask, and the honest answer is: not directly.

The NHS does not provide standalone dyslexia assessments as a commissioned service. What it does offer, through schools and educational settings, is access to Special Educational Needs (SEN) support and, in some cases, an Educational Psychologist assessment as part of an Education, Health and Care (EHC) needs assessment. However, this route involves:

A referral through your child's school or GP
A formal request for an EHC needs assessment through Kent County Council
Significant waiting times, often many months or longer

For adults, the NHS pathway is even more limited. There is no standard NHS referral route for an adult dyslexia assessment. Adults are almost always directed towards private provision.

The practical reality: If your child needs a diagnosis to access exam access arrangements, university support, or workplace adjustments, waiting for a state-funded route is rarely viable. A private assessment from a qualified specialist is the standard approach taken by the vast majority of families and adults in Kent.

What Qualifications Should a Dyslexia Assessor in Kent Have?

Before you look at any provider list, understand this: not everyone who offers a "dyslexia test" is qualified to produce a report that carries legal weight. There is a meaningful difference between a screening and a full diagnostic assessment, and the assessor's credentials determine which one you're actually getting.

The credentials that matter

For a diagnostic assessment report to be accepted by schools, universities, employers, and the courts under the Equality Act 2010, the assessor must hold specific qualifications:

Qualification	What it means
APC (Assessment Practising Certificate)	The essential qualification. Issued by PATOSS, SpLD Assessment Standards Committee (SASC), or the British Dyslexia Association. Confirms the assessor is currently qualified to carry out diagnostic assessments.
PATOSS membership	The Professional Association of Teachers of Students with Specific Learning Difficulties. Members are held to professional standards.
SASC-approved assessor	The Specific Learning Difficulties Assessment Standards Committee sets the UK benchmark for diagnostic assessment quality.

Why this matters: A report written by someone without a current APC cannot be used to apply for exam access arrangements, Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA), or formal workplace adjustments. Always ask to see an assessor's qualifications before booking.

What about Educational Psychologists?

Educational Psychologists (EPs) can also carry out dyslexia assessments and their reports are widely accepted. However, EP assessments are typically more expensive (often £800 to £1,500+) and are more commonly used where there are complex or multiple needs to assess. For a straightforward diagnostic dyslexia assessment, a SASC-approved specialist assessor with an APC is the recognised standard and is more accessible in terms of cost and availability.

Dyslexia Assessment Providers in Kent: What's Available

Kent has a reasonable number of private dyslexia assessment providers, spread across the county and online. Here is an overview of the types of provision available and what to expect from each.

This Is Dyslexia (Canterbury, Kent and Online UK-wide)

Based in Canterbury, This Is Dyslexia is led by Laura Gowers, a specialist assessor with over 23 years' experience in teaching and neurodiversity support. Laura holds AMBDA and APC qualifications and is registered with PATOSS and SASC, meaning assessments meet the standards required for school, university, and workplace use.

Services available:

Diagnostic Dyslexia Assessment (ages 8+): £550 face-to-face or virtual. Covers cognitive profile, working memory, phonological awareness, processing speed, reading, spelling, and comprehension. Full written report included.
Learning Profile Assessment (ages 6-10): £400. Designed for younger children where a full diagnostic assessment is not yet appropriate.
School Access Arrangements Testing: from £65, with enhanced options from £85. JCQ-approved.
Fast-track options: 24-hour turnaround (£150 additional) or 48-hour turnaround (£90 additional) for urgent situations.
Virtual assessments: available UK-wide, same standard as in-person.
Payment plans: a 3-month payment plan is available for diagnostic assessments.

What distinguishes this service is the pathway it offers beyond the assessment itself. Post-diagnosis support includes specialist 1:1 tutoring for primary-aged children, structured literacy interventions through sister organisation This Is NeuroLearning, and adult coaching programmes. The report is written with practical next steps, not just a diagnosis. You can learn more about the dyslexia assessment services here or read about Laura's background and qualifications.

Other Kent-based providers

A number of other specialist assessors operate across Kent, including providers based in Maidstone, Folkestone, and the Kent/Sussex border area. When evaluating any provider, the same credential checks apply: confirm they hold a current APC, check whether they are listed on the PATOSS tutor index or the BDA's find-an-assessor tool, and ask what their report is accepted for.

Prices across Kent-based private assessors are broadly consistent, typically ranging from £500 to £600 for a full diagnostic assessment, with some variation depending on the assessor's level of qualification, whether the assessment is in-person or remote, and any additional services included.

Online-only assessors

Several providers offer remote-only assessments. These are entirely valid and produce reports of the same standing, provided the assessor holds the correct qualifications. Online assessments are particularly useful for adults in rural parts of Kent, families with limited transport, or anyone who prefers the flexibility of a home-based appointment. This Is Dyslexia offers virtual assessments with the same report standard as in-person sessions.

How Much Does a Dyslexia Assessment Cost in Kent?

Cost is one of the most common barriers people face, and it is worth being clear about what you are paying for and why the price range exists.

Assessment type	Typical cost in Kent	What's included
Learning Profile / Early Assessment (ages 6-10)	£400	Cognitive and literacy profile, written report, recommendations
Full Diagnostic Assessment (ages 8+)	£500-£600	Comprehensive assessment, formal diagnostic report, verbal feedback
Access Arrangements (exam access)	£65-£85 per pupil	JCQ Form 8 completion, evidence for extra time or reader
Fast-track (24-48 hour report)	£90-£150 additional	Same as above with priority turnaround
Educational Psychologist assessment	£800-£1,500+	Broader cognitive assessment, used for complex needs

What drives the price difference? The main factors are the assessor's level of qualification (APC holder), whether the assessment is in-person or remote, the depth and length of the report, and whether post-assessment consultation is included. A lower price does not necessarily mean lower quality, but it is worth asking what the fee covers before booking.

Is financial support available?

For some families, the cost of a private assessment is a genuine barrier. A few options are worth knowing:

Payment plans: Some providers, including This Is Dyslexia, offer a 3-month payment plan for diagnostic assessments.
School funding: In some cases, schools can commission and fund an assessment, particularly where there is documented evidence of need. Speak to your school's SENCo about this.
Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA): University students can apply for DSA to fund assessments and support. A diagnostic report is required to access DSA, so the assessment cost is typically an investment that unlocks significantly more funding.
Access to Work: Adults in employment can apply to the Access to Work scheme for support with workplace adjustments, which may cover the cost of an assessment.

What Does a Good Dyslexia Assessment Actually Include?

This is the question most people don't think to ask until after they've booked. The quality of the assessment experience matters, but the quality of the report is what determines whether the assessment is actually useful.

What the assessment session covers

A full diagnostic dyslexia assessment with a qualified specialist assessor typically takes between 1.5 and 3 hours and covers:

Underlying cognitive ability: to establish a baseline and identify any significant discrepancies
Phonological awareness: the ability to hear and manipulate sounds in words, a core indicator of dyslexia
Working memory and processing speed: two areas consistently affected in dyslexic individuals
Reading accuracy, fluency, and comprehension: tested using standardised tools
Spelling: including phonetically regular and irregular words
Handwriting: where relevant, particularly for children

All tests used should be standardised and approved by SASC. The assessor should explain the process clearly before starting and provide verbal feedback at the end of the session.

What the report should contain

The written report is the document that opens doors. A high-quality diagnostic report should include:

A clear diagnostic statement (confirmed dyslexia, indicators of dyslexia, or not dyslexia)
Standardised test scores with explanations in plain English
A description of the individual's cognitive profile, including strengths as well as difficulties
Specific, practical recommendations for school, university, or the workplace
The assessor's full qualifications and APC number

A report that simply says "your child has dyslexia" without explaining the cognitive profile or providing actionable recommendations is not a good report. Ask to see a sample report format before booking if you want to understand what you will receive.

If you are unsure whether you or your child need an assessment at all, this guide on whether you need a dyslexia assessment may help you decide.

How to Choose the Right Dyslexia Assessor in Kent

With several providers operating across Kent, the decision is not just about price or location. Here are the questions that actually matter.

Six questions to ask before booking

Do you hold a current APC? This is non-negotiable. Ask for the issuing body (PATOSS, BDA, or SASC) and the renewal date.
What is included in the report? Confirm the report includes a diagnostic statement, cognitive profile, standardised scores, and practical recommendations.
Will the report be accepted by [specific institution]? If you need the report for a particular school, university, or employer, confirm acceptance before booking.
What happens after the assessment? A good assessor will offer verbal feedback and ideally follow-up support or signposting. Some, like This Is Dyslexia, provide a full pathway from assessment to specialist tutoring and coaching.
How long will the report take? Standard turnaround is typically 2 to 3 weeks. If you need it urgently, ask about fast-track options.

In-person vs online: which is better?

Neither is categorically better. Research and professional guidance confirm that well-conducted online assessments produce results of equivalent reliability to in-person assessments, provided the assessor uses appropriate digital-format standardised tools.

Choose in-person if:

Your child is very young or likely to be distracted at home
You prefer face-to-face interaction for the feedback session
You are based in or near Canterbury or another area with accessible providers

Choose online if:

You are in a rural part of Kent with limited local options
You or your child find travel stressful
You need a faster appointment slot (online availability is often greater)

You can read more about how online dyslexia assessments work and what to expect from a virtual session.

A note on independent reviews

When researching providers, independent reviews on Google and similar platforms are useful but should be read with context. Look for reviews that mention:

Whether the assessor put the child at ease
The clarity and usefulness of the written report
Whether recommendations were practical and school-ready
How the assessor communicated results to parents or the individual

Reviews that only mention "friendly service" without commenting on the report quality are less informative. The report is the product; the experience is the delivery.

What Happens After the Assessment?

Getting the diagnosis is the beginning, not the end. What you do with the report determines the practical difference it makes.

For children in school

Share the report with your child's school as soon as possible. The SENCo (Special Educational Needs Coordinator) should use the recommendations to update the child's SEN support plan, and the report can be used as evidence for exam access arrangements from Year 9 onwards. If your child's school is not responding appropriately to the report, Kent County Council's SEND Local Offer sets out the support families are entitled to request.

Specialist tutoring can make a significant difference alongside school support. This Is Dyslexia offers specialist 1:1 tutoring for primary-aged children using structured, multisensory approaches designed specifically for dyslexic learners.

For university students

A diagnostic report is the key document for accessing Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA) and university disability support. Most universities require the report to have been completed by a qualified assessor with a current APC. If your report is more than a few years old, some institutions may request a more recent assessment. Read more about dyslexia assessments for university students.

For adults in the workplace

A diagnostic report is the foundation for requesting reasonable adjustments from an employer under the Equality Act 2010. This might include changes to how information is presented, additional time for tasks, or assistive technology. This Is Dyslexia's adult dyslexia coaching programme supports adults in translating their diagnosis into practical strategies for work and daily life.

Ready to Book a Dyslexia Assessment in Kent?

If you've read this far, you probably already know the next step. The hardest part is usually making the decision to start. The assessment itself is straightforward, and the clarity it brings, whether the result confirms dyslexia or not, is almost always described by families and adults as a relief.

This Is Dyslexia is based in Canterbury and offers assessments in-person across Kent and virtually across the UK. Assessments are led by Laura Gowers, APC-qualified, with over 23 years of specialist experience. Reports are accepted by schools, universities, and employers and are written to SASC standards.