Find an assessor Diagnostic assessments for specific learning difficulties (SpLD)

It's your responsibility to find a qualified assessor for your diagnostic assessment. They’ll need to be an educational psychologist or a specialist teacher. Make sure the assessor you choose can assess for all the specific learning difficulties you want to be assessed for.

You may find it useful to provide your assessor with the Open University’s Guidelines for assessors (PDF, 107 KB). Send the document over before the assessment or print it off and take it with you.

You can talk to us before arranging your diagnostic assessment for help with the kind of assessment you'll need. If you live in England, contact the Disability Support Team. If you live in Northern Ireland, Scotland or Wales, contact your student support team.

Here are some resources to help you find an assessor.

• The Professional Association of Teachers and Students with Specific Learning Difficulties (PATOSS)

  Free access to a list of specialist assessors in the UK.

• British Dyslexia Association

  The BDA can put you in contact with a BDA Approved Assessor for a diagnostic assessment for Dyslexia.

• The British Psychological Society

  Offers a 'find a psychologist' facility.

If you live in Scotland you can get a list of specialist assessors from Dyslexia Scotland. The list includes assessors that assess for more than one type of specific learning difficulty, not just Dyslexia. Call their helpline on 0344 800 8484 to request the list, or email helpline@dyslexiascotland.org.uk.

Checking their qualifications

All qualified assessors must be registered with one of the following:

• The Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)

  Lists chartered or practitioner psychologists and their qualifications.

• The SpLD Assessment Standards Committee (SASC)

  Lists specialist teacher assessors holding a current Assessment Practising Certificate (APC).

Assessors in Scotland will also need to have a qualification that meets the level for Associate Membership of the British Dyslexia Association (AMBDA).