Private Dyslexia Assessments Across Lancashire

Families across Lancashire can access expert, independent dyslexia assessments through Manchester Dyslexia Assessment Centre (MDAC). Whether you’re based in Preston, Clitheroe, Ribble Valley, Blackburn, Burnley, Lancaster or elsewhere in the county, we provide comprehensive diagnostic assessments for children, young people and adults. Our assessments complement Lancashire’s existing Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) support system by providing timely, specialist diagnostic evidence when families need answers without lengthy waiting times. Each assessment is carried out by a highly qualified specialist and results in a detailed diagnostic report with practical recommendations for education, employment and everyday life. An MDAC assessment can help to:

confirm whether dyslexia is present through comprehensive diagnostic testing
provide evidence to support exam access arrangements
support applications for Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA)
inform school, college or university support plans
identify strengths alongside areas of difficulty
provide clear, practical recommendations for home, education and the workplace

Whether you’re seeking answers for your child, preparing for examinations, applying to university or looking to better understand your own learning profile, MDAC offers a professional, supportive and evidence-based assessment service for families throughout Lancashire.

Who We Are

Manchester Dyslexia Assessment Centre (MDAC) provides independent dyslexia assessments and specialist advice for children and young adults across Lancashire and the North West. The centre was founded by Adriana, an experienced former Headteacher and Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO), who has spent many years supporting learners with specific learning difficulties. Her assessments combine extensive educational experience with rigorous diagnostic practice, providing families with clear answers, practical recommendations and a deeper understanding of how an individual learns. Adriana is a member of the British Dyslexia Association and holds the National Award for Special Educational Needs Coordination (NASENCO). She is also an Associate Member of the British Dyslexia Association (AMBDA), enabling her to carry out diagnostic assessments to nationally recognised professional standards. In 2020, Adriana was recognised as a winner of Theo Paphitis’ Small Business Sunday (SBS) award, celebrating outstanding small businesses across the UK. Theo is well known for speaking openly about his own dyslexia and for championing neurodiversity in business. Her qualifications include:

BA (Hons)
CPE
LPC
PGCE
NASENCO
Postgraduate Certificate in Specific Learning Difficulties (Dyslexia)
AMBDA

Every assessment is carried out personally by Adriana, ensuring families receive a consistent, high-quality service from initial enquiry through to the final diagnostic report and follow-up advice.

Why Independent Assessment Matters

Lancashire’s SEND support system provides valuable assistance for many children and young people. However, there are times when families, students or adults benefit from obtaining an independent dyslexia assessment alongside the support already available through schools or local authority services. An independent assessment does not replace school-based support. Instead, it provides a comprehensive diagnostic evaluation that can help families, educational settings and employers better understand an individual’s learning profile and make informed decisions about appropriate support.

Timely Access to Specialist Assessment

For some families, timing is critical. Whether you’re preparing for GCSEs or A-levels, applying for university, seeking Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA), or planning a school transition, waiting for an assessment may not be practical. MDAC typically offers assessment appointments within two to four weeks, with a comprehensive diagnostic report provided within three weeks of the assessment. Where deadlines are approaching, we will always do our best to accommodate urgent cases.

Clarity When the Picture Is Unclear

Not everyone with dyslexia presents in the same way. Some children are articulate and capable in class but struggle with reading accuracy, spelling or written work. Others achieve well academically yet find that they need significantly more time and effort than their peers to complete everyday tasks. Adults may have developed successful coping strategies without ever understanding why certain activities remain unusually challenging. When difficulties are complex or inconsistent, it can be difficult to know whether dyslexia is the underlying cause. A comprehensive diagnostic assessment provides clarity by identifying both areas of strength and areas where additional support may be beneficial.

Detailed Diagnostic Reports

Every assessment concludes with a detailed, professionally written report that explains the assessment findings in clear, accessible language. Reports include:

a clear diagnostic conclusion, where appropriate
an explanation of the individual’s cognitive profile
identified strengths and areas of difficulty
practical recommendations for education, home or the workplace
guidance on reasonable adjustments and appropriate support

Our reports are prepared in accordance with current professional standards and can be shared with schools, colleges, universities, employers and occupational health professionals where appropriate.

A Strength-Based Approach

At MDAC, assessment is about much more than identifying difficulties. A comprehensive dyslexia assessment also recognises an individual’s strengths, interests and learning preferences. Many people with dyslexia demonstrate creativity, strong problem-solving skills, innovative thinking or excellent verbal reasoning. Understanding these strengths is just as important as identifying areas of challenge. Viewing dyslexia as a difference in the way the brain processes information, rather than simply as a deficit, helps build confidence, resilience and self-awareness. It also enables teachers, parents and employers to provide support that works with the individual’s natural learning style. Our aim is not simply to answer the question, “Is this dyslexia?” It is to provide a complete picture of how a person learns, enabling them to access the right support and fulfil their potential.

Understanding Lancashire’s SEND System

Before arranging an independent dyslexia assessment, many families want to understand how it fits alongside Lancashire’s existing Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) support. Schools, health services and the local authority all play important roles in identifying and supporting children and young people with additional learning needs. Many pupils receive effective support within school, while others may require more specialist assessment or intervention as their educational needs become clearer.

How SEND Support Works in Lancashire

Support is usually provided through a graduated approach, with schools working closely with parents and, where appropriate, external professionals. Depending on an individual’s needs, support may include:

classroom adaptations and targeted interventions
additional support coordinated by the school’s Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO)
referrals to specialist services, such as educational psychology or speech and language therapy
Education, Health and Care (EHC) needs assessments where more complex support is required
exam access arrangements for eligible pupils
health and wellbeing services delivered through NHS and local authority partnerships

Every child follows their own pathway, and the level of support provided will depend on their individual needs and circumstances.

Where MDAC Fits

Manchester Dyslexia Assessment Centre provides independent diagnostic dyslexia assessments that complement, rather than replace, the support already available through schools and local authority services. Families choose an independent assessment for many reasons, including:

obtaining specialist assessment without lengthy waiting times
gaining a detailed understanding of a child’s or adult’s learning profile
supporting discussions with schools, colleges or universities
providing evidence for exam access arrangements where appropriate
supporting applications for Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA)
identifying practical strategies to support learning at home, in education or in the workplace

An independent assessment can sit alongside school-based support and does not prevent families from accessing local authority services if they are needed later. Many families choose to pursue both routes simultaneously so that support can begin as early as possible.

Working in Partnership

At MDAC, we believe the best outcomes are achieved when families, schools and specialists work together. Our role is to provide a thorough diagnostic assessment, explain the findings clearly and offer practical, evidence-based recommendations. These recommendations can then be used to inform school support, guide future planning and help individuals access the adjustments they need to achieve their full potential.

Why Families Across Lancashire Choose Independent Assessment

Every individual experiences dyslexia differently. Some children struggle from the moment they begin reading, while others cope well for years before the demands of secondary school, further education or employment expose underlying difficulties. Many of the families who contact MDAC have been asking the same questions for months—or even years. They know something isn’t quite right but are unsure whether dyslexia is the cause, what support is available, or where to turn next. An independent assessment provides clear, evidence-based answers and practical recommendations that can make a real difference to education, employment and everyday life.

When Waiting Isn’t an Option

There are times when obtaining an assessment quickly is particularly important. Perhaps your child is approaching GCSEs or A-levels and may require exam access arrangements. Maybe you’re applying to university and need evidence to support a Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) application. Or perhaps you’re simply keen to understand your child’s needs so that appropriate support can begin as soon as possible. MDAC usually offers appointments within two to four weeks, with comprehensive reports completed within three weeks of the assessment. Where possible, we will always try to accommodate urgent cases.

When You Need Clear Answers

Learning differences are rarely straightforward. Some children read accurately but very slowly. Others have excellent verbal skills yet struggle to spell, organise their ideas or remember written information. Adults often describe feeling that they have worked much harder than others throughout education or their career without understanding why. A comprehensive dyslexia assessment looks beyond individual difficulties to build a complete picture of how a person learns. This enables recommendations to be based on evidence rather than assumption.

Supporting Conversations with Schools and Colleges

Parents often tell us that having an independent diagnostic report helps them feel more confident when discussing support with their child’s school or college. Our reports explain assessment findings in clear, accessible language and include practical recommendations that can help inform classroom strategies, additional support and, where appropriate, applications for exam access arrangements. Rather than replacing the school’s own assessment processes, the report provides additional specialist evidence that can support informed decision-making.

Looking Beyond a Diagnosis

For many families, receiving a diagnosis brings relief as much as reassurance. Understanding why reading, writing or processing information has been difficult often helps individuals make sense of experiences that may previously have affected their confidence or self-esteem. At MDAC, we believe an assessment should do more than answer the question, “Is this dyslexia?” It should explain how an individual learns, identify the strategies that are most likely to help, and recognise the strengths that often accompany dyslexia, including creativity, problem-solving, verbal reasoning and innovative thinking. Our goal is to provide clarity, confidence and a practical roadmap for the future—whether that future is in primary school, secondary education, university or the workplace.