Assessment Service
The Dyslexia Association of Ireland (DAI) has a team of educational psychologists who provide a range of assessment services from our national office in Dublin. We work with children, young people and adults from seven years upwards.
Full Assessment
A Full Assessment is carried out by an educational psychologist and consists of a series of activities to determine cognitive and literacy abilities (and numeracy skills if maths difficulties are reported). The aim of the assessment is to develop a learning profile of strengths and difficulties and to find out if a Specific Learning Difficulty (Dyslexia) exists. The educational psychologist takes a contextualized approach to assessment and will take account of relevant background information from parents, individuals, schools, colleges or any other relevant sources.
The Full Assessment takes about three hours. Following the assessment the educational psychologist will briefly explain initial findings and then a full written report will be posted to you within four to five weeks.
The fee for a Full Assessment for non-members is €450.00, which includes one year’s complimentary membership of the DAI. The fee for current members of the DAI is €410.00.
Review Assessment
A Review Assessment is available for children and young people who have previously had an educational psychology assessment. This assessment does not cover general cognitive abilities, but seeks to assess a child’s current level of reading, writing and spelling, (and maths, where appropriate). The aim of the review is to see how a child has progressed since their last full assessment, and to provide recommendations based on the child’s current needs.
The Review Assessment takes about two to three hours. Following the assessment the educational psychologist will briefly explain initial findings and then a full written report will be posted to you within four to five weeks.
The fee for a Review Assessment is €300.00.
Consultation Appointment
There are times when the dyslexia-related advice of an educational psychologist is sought, and it is not clear that a Full Assessment or a Review Assessment is appropriate. A Consultation Appointment is a 45 minute appointment with an educational psychologist. Possible scenarios where a Consultation Appointment might be offered include (but are not limited to):
- Where English is not the first language and there is a query as to the validity or appropriateness of conducting an assessment in English.
- Where a brief assessment/intervention response is more appropriate, i.e. no direct assessment required.
- Where more general learning difficulties are present and a dyslexia assessment might not be an appropriate route, but this is not immediately clear.
- To discuss the implementation and progress of recommendations made in previous reports.
The fee for a Consultation Appointment is €100.00. This fee is waived if the result of the Consultation Appointment is to subsequently proceed with a Full Assessment.
Financial Assistance
In very exceptional circumstances, a reduced rate may be available for people on social welfare or very low income. Please contact the office if you feel that you may need assistance. Applications for a reduced rate assessment must be submitted to the DAI at least two weeks in advance of your assessment date. Late applications cannot be accepted.
Tax relief on the assessment fee of a dependent child may be claimed 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.
Application Process
If you would like to apply for a Full Assessment, a Review Assessment or a Consultation Appointment please contact our information and advice line on 01 679 0276 or email info@dyslexia.ie.
Other Providers of Assessment Services
There are other assessment options available. Children and young people who are in school may be able to get an assessment through the school with an educational psychologist from the National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS). Please ask your school if this is possible.
There are also many independent private educational psychologists. A list of registered psychologists can be obtained from the Psychological Society of Ireland’s website at www.psihq.ie.
Find us on...