Assessment Service
DAI provides an assessment service based in our national office in Dublin. We have a team of educational psychologists available for assessments of both children and adults. We accept referrals from individuals and parents.
The assessment is called a psycho-educational assessment. It is done by an educational psychologist and is the only way to get a definitive diagnosis of dyslexia. The assessment includes testing of cognitive abilities as well as literacy skills (and sometimes numeracy skills if maths difficulties are reported). The psychologist also needs to get relevant background information from parents, individuals, schools, colleges or any other relevant sources. A diagnosis is made based on a combination of the history reported and the performance on the tests.
The assessment session varies in length, but on average you can expect to be with the psychologist for between 3 and 3½ hours. A detailed written report is supplied normally a few weeks after the assessment, which contains relevant history, test results, conclusions and most importantly recommendations for addressing any areas of difficulty which emerged.
The fee for a psycho-educational assessment is normally €400. In very exceptional circumstances, a reduced rate may be available for people on social welfare or very low income; please ask if you feel that you may need assistance. A subsidy of up to €200 towards the assessment fee may be granted in such exceptional circumstances. Applications for a reduced rate assessment must be submitted to DAI at least 2 weeks in advance of your assessment date. Late applications cannot be accepted. Applicants are encouraged to save up some money each week towards the assessment while they wait for an appointment. DAI is a charity, and we are only able to offer these limited subsidies due to fundraising and donations.
Unfortunately, there is a waiting list for assessment which varies from 6-12 months. We do occasionally get cancellations so if there is a particular urgency and if people are flexible to come at very short notice, it can sometimes be possible to get an assessment more quickly.
To place your name or your child’s name on our assessment waiting list, please phone or email us.
NOTE: Tax relief on the assessment fee of a dependent child is allowable via the MED1 Form. Visit the revenue website www.revenue.ie and see the section on tax relief for health expenses for further information. You can download a MED1 form from the revenue website or get one from your local tax office.
Other places where you can get a psycho-educational assessment done are:
- School going children may be able to get an assessment through the school with a psychologist from NEPS, the National Educational Psychological Service. Please ask you school if this is possible.
- There are many independent private educational psychologists. They tend to be more expensive than DAI, but they often have shorter waiting lists. A list of registered psychologists can be obtained from the Psychological Society of Ireland’s website at www.psihq.ie, by emailing the Society at info@psihq.ie or by writing to the Society at PSI, Floor 2, Grantham House, Grantham Street, Dublin 2.
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