Real Stories, Real Change: How Families Around the World Are Using This Is Dyslexia's UK Programmes
- thisisdyslexia
- 1 day ago
- 6 min read
Getting a dyslexia assessment for your child is a big decision at any time. When you live outside the UK, it can feel even more daunting. How do you know the assessment will be recognised? Will the process actually work remotely? And will someone on the other side of a screen truly understand what your child is going through?
These are the questions families contact This Is Dyslexia with every week, from Dubai, Singapore, Australia, Canada, and beyond. The short answer: yes, it works. The longer answer is better told through the families who've been through it.
Please note: The case studies below are illustrative examples, drawn from families and situations This Is Dyslexia regularly supports. They reflect real experiences but do not include real names due to confidentiality.
'We Finally Had a Name for It' A Family in Dubai
Priya and her husband moved from the UK to Dubai when their son Ravi was six. By the time he was nine, something wasn't adding up. He was curious, articulate, and full of ideas, but reading felt like a battle every single day. His international school flagged some concerns, but stopped short of a formal diagnosis.
Priya started searching for a UK-qualified specialist who could assess Ravi online. She found This Is Dyslexia and, despite initial hesitation about whether a remote assessment could be thorough enough, booked an appointment.
What happened next surprised her. The assessment was conducted via a secure video platform, with tasks adapted for the online format. The session felt calm and structured, and Ravi engaged far better than she'd expected. Within two weeks, the family received a detailed diagnostic report, written in plain language, with specific recommendations for the school.
"The report gave us something concrete to hand to his teachers," Priya reflects. "Before, we were just parents raising concerns. Afterwards, we had evidence, strategies, and a plan."
Ravi's school in Dubai accepted the report without question. He now receives additional processing time in assessments and has access to a reader for longer written tasks. His confidence in the classroom has shifted noticeably.
"I didn't realise how much I needed someone to finally say: this is real, this is why, and here's what helps."
For families in similar positions, the online dyslexia assessment offered by This Is Dyslexia is conducted by Laura Gowers, an APC-qualified specialist with over 23 years of experience.
The qualification level matters: assessments carried out by APC-qualified assessors meet the standard required for formal recognition in UK schools, universities, and many international institutions.
'She Stopped Calling Herself Stupid' A Parent in Singapore
Mei's daughter Jess had always been described by teachers as "trying hard but not quite getting there." At ten, she had internalised a quiet but damaging belief: that she simply wasn't as clever as her classmates. Mei, originally from the UK and now based in Singapore, recognised the pattern from her own childhood. She suspected dyslexia but didn't know where to start.
After reading about the signs of dyslexia that parents often miss, Mei reached out to This Is Dyslexia. She was particularly concerned about the emotional impact, not just the academic one.
What the Assessment Revealed
The diagnostic process looked at far more than reading speed. It assessed phonological processing, working memory, processing speed, and literacy skills in combination, giving a full picture of how Jess's brain was working, not just where it was struggling.
The report confirmed dyslexia. It also identified significant strengths in verbal reasoning and creative thinking, which had been largely invisible in a traditional classroom setting.
Three things changed after the assessment:
Jess's school introduced structured literacy support tailored to her profile
Mei began using specific strategies at home, drawn directly from the report's recommendations
Jess started talking about her strengths for the first time, rather than only her difficulties
"She stopped calling herself stupid," Mei says. "That alone made every bit of effort worth it."
This shift is not unusual. Research consistently links formal diagnosis with improved self-esteem in dyslexic learners, because it replaces a narrative of failure with one of difference. The connection between dyslexia and wellbeing is something This Is Dyslexia takes seriously throughout every assessment and follow-up.
'The School Finally Listened' A British Expat Family in Canada
Tom and Sarah relocated from Kent to Ontario when their son Elliot was seven. By age eleven, he had been assessed locally twice, with inconclusive results each time. His teachers were supportive but unsure how to help. Tom, who had been diagnosed with dyslexia himself as an adult, felt certain there was more going on.
The family turned to This Is Dyslexia specifically because Laura's APC qualification and UK-standard report carried weight with the British curriculum school Elliot attended. They also wanted a specialist who understood the nuances of dyslexia in children who had learned to compensate, often described as "bright but inconsistent."
Why the UK Standard Matters Internationally
A common concern for international families is whether a UK-based assessment will be accepted abroad. In practice, assessments carried out by APC-qualified specialists are widely recognised across:
Setting | Typical Use of the Report |
British curriculum international schools | Access arrangements, learning support plans |
UK universities (distance or on return) | DSA applications, exam accommodations |
Workplace (UK-based employers) | Reasonable adjustments under the Equality Act |
Private tutoring and coaching | Personalised programme design |
Elliot's school in Canada accepted the report as part of his Individual Education Plan. For the first time, he had formal documentation that articulated exactly how his brain processed information and what support he needed.
"It wasn't just a label," Tom says. "It was a roadmap. The school finally had something they could act on."
Elliot went on to access dyslexia-specialist support online through This Is Dyslexia, working with a tutor who understood his specific profile.
What Families Across the World Have in Common
Different countries, different school systems, different ages. But the families who come to This Is Dyslexia share a remarkably consistent set of experiences before they reach out.
The pattern looks like this:
A child who is clearly capable but consistently struggling in specific areas
Schools that are well-meaning but unable to offer a formal diagnosis
Parents who have been waiting, watching, and quietly worrying for months or years
A moment where they decide: enough waiting, we need answers
The remote assessment process removes the biggest practical barrier: geography. Whether a family is in the Middle East, Southeast Asia, North America, or Australia, the assessment takes place via a secure video call at a time that suits their time zone. The report that follows is identical in depth and quality to one produced for a family in Kent.
For parents wondering whether their child might be dyslexic, a useful starting point is understanding the difference between a screening and a full diagnostic assessment. Screening can flag a likelihood; only a diagnostic assessment provides the formal evidence schools and institutions need to act.
The most common thing parents say after the assessment: they wish they'd done it sooner.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
If you recognise your family in any of these stories, the next step is straightforward. This Is Dyslexia offers online dyslexia assessments for children aged 8 and above, conducted by an APC-qualified specialist, with a detailed report delivered within two weeks.
Assessments are available globally. Time zones are accommodated. The process is designed to be as clear and low-pressure as possible, because the families who arrive here have usually already been through enough uncertainty.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are the testimonials on this page real client stories?
These are illustrative composite examples, clearly labelled as representative. They are drawn from the kinds of families This Is Dyslexia regularly supports, but they do not describe specific individuals.
Can families outside the UK use your online dyslexia assessments?
Yes. Families abroad can book online assessments with This Is Dyslexia. The process is designed to work across time zones and produces a detailed report that can support school discussions and next steps.
Will a UK dyslexia report be recognised overseas?
Often, yes. Recognition depends on the school, country, and setting, but UK-standard reports are commonly used by international schools and other institutions to inform support and adjustments.
What age do you assess children online?
This Is Dyslexia offers online dyslexia assessments for children aged 8 and above. The assessment is carried out by an APC-qualified specialist and followed by a detailed written report.
How long does it take to receive the report?
Reports are typically delivered within two weeks of the assessment. They include the diagnostic findings plus practical recommendations for home, school, or wider support.
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