Insights to guide your
assessment journey

When a child struggles with maths, it's natural for parents to look for an explanation. Perhaps they still count on their fingers, struggle to remember number facts or become overwhelmed by maths homework. Increasingly, parents are asking whether their child might have dyscalculia. It's a reasonable question. But perhaps there's a more useful place to start. Instead of asking, "Could my child have dyscalculia?", what if we asked, "Why does my child find maths difficult?" Math

Living with dyslexia or dyscalculia can feel overwhelming, especially when trying to navigate the educational system or workplace. I understand how important it is to find clear, practical support tailored to individual needs. In the UK, there are many resources and strategies available to help manage these learning differences effectively. This post will guide you through the various dyslexia help options, how to support someone with dyslexia, and where to find professional

Eye-level view of a child drawing colourful shapes on paper When a child is finding learning difficult, parents are often worried about much more than reading, spelling or maths. They worry about confidence. Perhaps your child has started saying things like: “I’m stupid.”“Everyone else is better than me.”“I’m just bad at maths.”“I can’t do it.” Or perhaps they avoid homework, become upset when asked to read, compare themselves with classmates, or give up before they have real

Living with dyslexia can present unique challenges, but it is important to know that there are legal protections in place to support you. In the UK, these laws are designed to ensure fair treatment and equal opportunities in education, work, and daily life. I want to guide you through the key legal rights for dyslexia, helping you understand what you are entitled to and how to access the support you need. Understanding Legal Rights for Dyslexia in the UK The UK has several la

If your child’s handwriting is slow, effortful or difficult to read, it can be hard to know where to start. The important question is not simply, “Is their handwriting neat?” It is: what is making writing difficult for this child? Broadly, there are two areas to think about. For some children, handwriting difficulties sit within a wider pattern involving reading, spelling, written work, memory or processing. In these cases, a diagnostic dyslexia assessment can be a useful sta

Phonological memory plays a key role in how you process spoken language and learn to read and spell. Yet, it is often misunderstood. You might think that if someone struggles with phonological memory, they have a poor overall memory or that they must have dyslexia. That is not the case. In this post, I will explain what phonological memory is, how it differs from other types of memory, and why it matters for reading and spelling. I will also describe what a weakness in phonol

Which is bigger: 8 or 6? Is 48 closer to 50 or 100? If something costs £9, is £10 roughly enough? Most of us make judgements like these almost automatically. We don't need to count from one or work through a calculation because we have an understanding of the size of the numbers involved. This ability is linked to something called numerical magnitude processing. It's a term that many parents (and even many teachers) may never have come across. However, it is particularly impo

Living with undiagnosed dyslexia can be challenging, especially as an adult. You might have struggled with reading, writing, or processing information throughout your life without knowing why. Getting a formal diagnosis can be a turning point, offering clarity and access to support tailored to your needs. In the UK, the pathway to diagnosing dyslexia in adults is well-established but can feel complex if you’re unfamiliar with the process. I’m here to guide you through what to

For many families, the question is not simply whether a child struggles with reading, spelling, or written language. The harder question is whether paying for a

Dyslexia and Maths Difficulties Dyslexia is a set of processing difficulties that affect the acquisition of reading and spelling. At the core of dyslexia is a difficulty with phonological processing (i.e., in phonological awareness, phonological processing speed, or phonological memory). Difficulties with working memory, processing speed, and orthographic skills are also common in dyslexia. It is estimated (BDA, 2026) that 60% of individuals with dyslexia also have difficulti

If you're considering a dyscalculia assessment in Berkshire or Oxfordshire, you're probably wondering what the assessment actually involves.

At what age can dyslexia be diagnosed? One of the most common questions parents ask is whether a child must be eight years old before dyslexia can be identified.

Applying for Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) can feel overwhelming. Supporting a child's learning, especially when they face challenges with reading, writing, or spelling, is crucial. This guide aims to provide clarity and confidence throughout the process. Eye-level view of a student filling out a form at a desk Understanding What DSA Is and Who Can Apply DSA is a government-funded scheme in the UK. It offers financial help to cover the costs of specialist equipment, supp

When a child struggles with reading, writing, or spelling, it can be worrying. I understand how challenging it is to watch them face difficulties that seem to hold them back. One of the most important steps you can take is to consider a dyslexia diagnosis. This process is not just about labels; it opens doors to understanding, support, and tailored strategies that can transform a child’s learning experience. A child working with a dyslexia specialist teacher Understanding the

A dyslexia assessment provides clarity about a person’s learning profile and opens the door to the right support. It can lead to exam adjustments, specialist teaching, and practical strategies that make reading and writing more manageable. For many, the greatest benefit is understanding how they learn best. In this post, we’ll explore the benefits of a dyslexia assessment, how to recognise the signs in children and adults, and the strategies and support that can follow. The B

Phonics is essential. It gives children the code. But decoding words is not the end goal of reading, it is the starting point. Skilled readers do not sound out every word. They recognise most words instantly and read with enough ease to focus on meaning. So what changes between a child who is “doing phonics” and one who is a fluent reader? A child absorbed in reading a storybook, highlighting the joy of fluent reading The shift from decoding to recognition Early reading relie

Working memory plays a crucial role in how we learn and process information. When it is weak, it can create challenges that affect academic performance and everyday tasks. For parents concerned about learning difficulties, understanding what working memory is, how to recognize signs of weakness, and its connection to SpLDs such as dyslexia can provide valuable insights and guide support strategies. A child’s study space showing books and notes scattered on a desk What Is Work

Phonological awareness has become something of a buzzword in education—frequently mentioned, often misunderstood, and occasionally used interchangeably with other terms. Yet, for children learning to read and spell, phonological awareness is not just another educational concept; it is a foundational cognitive skill. Without it, literacy can feel like trying to assemble flat-pack furniture without the instructions—possible, but unnecessarily difficult. So, what actually is pho

Introduction Dyslexia is a common learning difference that affects how individuals process written and spoken language, particularly around reading, spelling, and writing. It has no link to intelligence — many dyslexic learners are bright, curious and articulate, yet experience unexpected difficulty with literacy tasks. Children develop at different rates, but when a number of signs appear consistently over time, it can be helpful to explore further. Below are ten signs that

For many teens, writing can feel like a juggling act. They need to organise ideas, spell accurately, use correct grammar, and keep their handwriting neat, all at the same time. It’s no wonder that even capable students can struggle to produce writing that reflects their true thinking. The good news is that with structured strategies, practical practice, and the smart use of technology , developing writing skills in teens is very achievable. Breaking Writing Tasks Into Manage