Expert Dyslexia Assessments for Children, Young People and Adults
If you’re worried that your child is finding reading, spelling or writing more difficult than expected, you’re not alone. Many families across Clitheroe, Whalley, Waddington, Barrow, Sabden, Gisburn, Longridge, and the wider Ribble Valley contact Manchester Dyslexia Assessment Centre (MDAC) because they know something isn’t quite right but want clear, professional answers.
Perhaps your child is articulate but struggles to read fluently. Maybe homework takes much longer than it should, spelling remains a daily battle, or their confidence has started to suffer. Sometimes these difficulties become more noticeable as the demands of school increase, while in adults they may only become apparent in higher education or the workplace.
A comprehensive dyslexia assessment can help explain why these challenges occur and, more importantly, identify the support that will help.
MDAC provides private dyslexia assessments for families across the Ribble Valley, including Clitheroe, Whalley, Waddington, Longridge, Chatburn, Gisburn, Barrow and surrounding villages. Every assessment is carried out personally by Adriana, an experienced former Headteacher, Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO) and specialist dyslexia assessor with more than 15 years’ experience supporting children, young people and adults with specific learning difficulties.
As well as our assessment clinic in Preston, we also have a centre in the heart of Clitheroe. Most of our Ribble Valley clients reach us within 10-40 minutes, making expert dyslexia assessment readily accessible without travelling to Manchester.
Our assessments complement the support already provided by schools and Lancashire’s SEND services. They offer independent specialist evidence, practical recommendations and a detailed report that can be shared with schools, colleges, universities and employers where appropriate.
Could My Child Be Dyslexic?
Every child develops at their own pace, and it’s perfectly normal for children to find some aspects of reading and writing more challenging than others. However, if your child continues to struggle despite good teaching, encouragement and regular practice, it may be worth considering whether dyslexia could be affecting the way they learn.
Dyslexia is a specific learning difficulty that primarily affects reading, spelling and written language. It is not linked to intelligence. In fact, many children with dyslexia are curious, creative and capable, but they often have to work much harder than their classmates to achieve the same results.
As a parent, you know your child better than anyone. If you have a feeling that they’re working exceptionally hard but not making the progress you’d expect, it’s worth exploring further.
Common Signs of Dyslexia
Every child is different, but some of the most common signs include:
- Reading more slowly than other children of a similar age.
- Difficulty recognising familiar words or sounding out unfamiliar ones.
- Persistent spelling difficulties despite regular practice.
- Mixing up letters or confusing similar-looking words.
- Finding it difficult to remember sequences such as days of the week, months or times tables.
- Avoiding reading aloud or becoming anxious about homework.
- Producing written work that doesn’t reflect what they can explain verbally.
- Losing their place when reading or needing to reread the same sentence.
- Forgetting instructions or needing information repeated several times.
- Becoming frustrated, upset or lacking confidence in school.
Some children develop excellent coping strategies, meaning their difficulties can go unnoticed for years. Others may appear to be coping well because they are working much harder than their peers behind the scenes.
Capable Children Can Have Dyslexia
One of the biggest misconceptions about dyslexia is that it only affects children who struggle academically.
In reality, many children with dyslexia are highly intelligent. They may excel in subjects such as science, art, technology or problem-solving while continuing to find reading, spelling or written work unusually difficult. This difference between their ability and their literacy skills is often one of the reasons parents seek a professional assessment.
When Should You Consider a Dyslexia Assessment?
If your child is aged seven or above and you continue to have concerns about their reading, spelling or writing, a comprehensive dyslexia assessment can provide valuable answers.
An assessment looks far beyond reading and spelling alone. It explores how your child processes information, learns new skills and approaches problem-solving, helping to build a complete picture of both their strengths and the areas where they may benefit from additional support.
Whether dyslexia is identified or not, you’ll receive clear, practical recommendations to help your child thrive at home and at school.
If you’re unsure whether an assessment is the right next step, we’re happy to help. We offer a free 15-minute consultation to discuss your concerns, answer your questions and explain how the assessment process works, with no obligation to book.
Working with Schools Across the Ribble Valley
We regularly support families whose children attend primary and secondary schools across Clitheroe, Whalley, Barrow, Waddington, Sabden, Gisburn, Chipping, Chatburn, Longridge and the surrounding villages. Many parents choose an independent assessment to gain a clearer understanding of their child’s learning profile and to support conversations with their school’s SENCO.
Our reports provide detailed, evidence-based recommendations that can help inform classroom strategies, applications for exam access arrangements and wider educational planning. Independent assessment complements school-based support and can be used alongside Lancashire’s SEND processes.
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