DIAGNOSTIC ASSESSMENTS
Understanding your neurodiversity is the first step to unlocking your potential and accessing the right support.
Our diagnostic assessments are for adults seeking a professional evaluation for specific learning difficulties (SpLDs) such as dyslexia and dyscalculia, with the option to explore traits associated with other conditions like dyspraxia or ADHD.
Why Seek a Diagnosis?
A diagnosis can be a life-changing step toward understanding yourself and accessing the support you need. People often seek diagnostic assessments for different reasons, and we’re here to help, no matter your journey.
AT UNIVERSITY
If you’re at university and struggling with certain aspects of your studies—like keeping up with reading, organising your work, or finishing exams on time—a diagnosis can provide the clarity you need to move forward.
With a formal diagnosis, you can:
Access additional time or accommodations for exams and assignments.
Receive personalised support through Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA).
Learn practical strategies to manage your workload and perform at your best.
A diagnosis can also help you communicate your needs to tutors and lecturers, making it easier to build a supportive environment. Understanding how your brain works isn’t just about overcoming challenges—it’s about unlocking your potential and thriving in your studies.
We understand that navigating academic challenges can feel overwhelming, but the right support can make all the difference in helping you reach your potential.
This is also relevant for individuals undertaking professional qualifications such as ACA, CIMA, ICAS, ACCA or UCAT.
AT WORK
If you’ve gone through life feeling “different” or thinking you’re not good enough, a diagnosis can help you understand why. Many adults who come to us describe years of:
Working much harder than everyone else to keep up, often double-checking and redoing tasks to avoid mistakes.
Avoiding tasks that involve reading, writing, or concentration, fearing they might be “found out.”
Feeling anxious or overwhelmed when faced with literacy tasks, even in everyday situations.
A diagnostic assessment can provide:
Validation of your experiences, replacing self-doubt with self-understanding.
Practical insights into your cognitive strengths and challenges.
Tailored strategies and tools to help you work more efficiently and confidently.
Access to reasonable adjustments.
You’re not alone in this journey. Whether you’re seeking to access support or finally understand yourself, we’re here to help you take the first step.
What to Expect from a Diagnostic Assessment
Understanding your neurodiversity starts with a comprehensive and supportive assessment process. Many people feel anxious about assessments, but rest assured—this is a welcoming, non-judgemental space where your experiences are valued, and your strengths are recognised.
All assessments are conducted by Chartered Psychologists who are registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), ensuring the highest standards of professionalism and expertise.
1. Initial Contact
Get in touch to discuss your needs, and we will send you a simple screening form to complete. This helps us understand your experiences and prepare for your assessment.
2. Booking Your Session
Once the form is complete, we will schedule your assessment. Sessions can be conducted online or in person in Leamington Spa, offering flexibility to suit your needs.
3. The Assessment Session
The assessment typically lasts around two hours and is designed to be as comfortable and supportive as possible. It includes:
Case History: A detailed conversation to explore your experiences, challenges, and strengths.
Skills Assessment: Tasks designed to assess literacy skills, including reading, writing, and spelling.
Cognitive Profile: Activities that evaluate memory, language skills, and processing speed.
These assessments create a personalised cognitive profile, identifying strengths and weaknesses and evaluating whether they align with specific learning difficulties, such as dyslexia or dyscalculia.
4. Comprehensive Report
Following your session, we will create a detailed report summarising your cognitive profile. The report will highlight any evidence of a specific learning difficulty, provide insights into your unique strengths and challenges, and specify the learning support and/or exam access arrangements you may be entitled to. Depending on the results, you can provide this report to your education provider or workplace as evidence of a specific learning difficulty.
5. Next Steps
Once you have your cognitive profile, you may wish to:
Arrange a needs assessment to identify specific supports.
Explore coaching tailored to your learning or working needs.
Investigate additional conditions, such as ADHD or dyspraxia, through additional screenings or referrals.
This process is designed to provide clarity, understanding, and actionable recommendations, all in a supportive and appreciative environment.
What is a Diagnostic Assessment?
If you’re exploring neurodiversity, it’s important to understand the differences between screeners, diagnostic assessments, and medical diagnoses.
Screeners are online tools, such as checklists or questionnaires, that indicate whether your experiences may align with a specific learning difficulty. While useful for initial exploration, they cannot provide a diagnosis or a detailed understanding of your cognitive profile.
Diagnostic Assessments are in-depth evaluations conducted by qualified professionals, such as HCPC-registered psychologists. These assessments provide a comprehensive understanding of your cognitive strengths, challenges, and how these impact your learning and work. Diagnostic Assessments unlock exam access arrangements, reasonable adjustments and Access to Work. This is what we offer.
Medical Diagnoses are required for ADHD, Autism and Dypraxia and are provided exclusively by psychiatrists or other qualified healthcare professionals. These are required if you wish to explore medication as a treatment option or access specific therapeutic support through the NHS.
This distinction ensures you can make informed decisions about the type of assessment or support that is right for you.
Feedback and Testimonials
“Jenny was very polite, sensitive and understanding. Very pleasant.”
“She was very friendly and made me feel safe while doing the assessment.”
“The assessor was very mindful about my needs and was lovely to talk to.”
“I had a very good experience, the assessor was very nice and the meeting was very relaxed.”
“The assessor made me feel very at ease throughout the assessment.”
“Really efficient and examiner provided a safe comfortable environment.”