- Dyslexia should be assessed through teaching over time and can be assessed by a suitably trained professional (usually a specially qualified teacher or an educational psychologist).
- All schools and educational settings in Leicester City have been issued with a copy of “Meeting Individual needs: Specific Learning Difficulties (Dyslexia) A Good Practice Guide”.
- This approach aims to offer the right level of help at the right time.
- There are local groups that offer support and help.
- Expectations for pupils with Dyslexia are identified in the Local Offer.
New Parks House
Pindar Road
Leicester LE3 9RN
Telephone: 0116 454 4650
Fax: 0116 225 4806
Educational Psychology Service:
Collegiate House, College Street. Leicester. LE2 0JX
0116 454 5470
Both services can be found on the Leicester City Council website
Leicestershire Dyslexia Association
email /
The British Dyslexia Association says that “Dyslexia is a learning difficulty that primarily affects the skills involved in accurate and fluent word reading and spelling.
A good indication of the severity and persistence of dyslexic difficulties can be gained by examining how the individual responds
How do I know if my child has Dyslexia?
At pre-school age your child may have:
- Spoken in jumbled phrases, used substitute words and/or had difficulty learning nursery rhymes.
- Enjoyed being read to but shown no interest in letters or words.
- A particular difficulty with reading and spelling.
- Poor concentration/forgetful.
- Difficulty telling left from right, order of days of the week, months of the year, etc.
- Still reads inaccurately.
- Still has difficulties in spelling.
- Needs to have instructions repeated.
- Has poor confidence and self-esteem.
- Has areas of strength as well as weakness.
Firstly don’t panic!
- A lot is known about helping children with literacy difficulties and a lot can be done to support your child.
- Try to think of dyslexia as a learning difference,
- Speak to your child’s teachers. Do they share your concerns? If so find out what are they doing about it.
- Ask how you can help at home.
- Remember that your child has other abilities and strengths and these can be used to help.
- If there are still difficulties then the school can contact one of the Education and Children’s Services (addresses on back) for assessment, advice and support.
- After you have spoken to your child’s teachers they may have ideas you can try at home.
- Confidence is important. A child who struggles with their work may feel they are “thick” or “stupid” and begin to give up trying. Your encouragement and support is VITAL.
- Gentle encouragement and support can be very helpful. Your child is NOT “stupid” and reassurance on this is often needed and helpful. It may be beneficial to let your child know they have specific difficulty.
- A little help and practice at home goes a long way.