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Adult Dyslexia Assesment: Sources Of Funding

1. PRIVATE HEALTH INSURANCE

Some private health insurance companies will fund assessments by chartered psychologists. In the case of BUPA, you can get a referral to the psychologist directly from your GP; in the case of the other companies, you may have to follow a more complicated route through a hospital consultant. In either case, do not rely on the NHS to find a psychologist for you. Locate an appropriately qualified psychologist yourself through your local Dyslexia Association and give the name of this particular psychologist to your GP/Consultant.

2. EMPLOYERS

An employer is often willing to fund the assessment, either directly or through their own health insurance, once it is realised that an employee may be dyslexic. If significant dyslexic difficulties are diagnosed, then the employer would be under a legal obligation to make reasonable adjustments in the workplace. Further information is available from your local JobCentrePlus or Access to Work Business Centre.

3. EMPLOYMENT SERVICE

If you are a job-seeker, and feel you might be dyslexic, you may be able to arrange an assessment through the Employment Service. Contact the Disability Employment Adviser at your local JobCentrePlus.

4. DYSLEXIA ORGANISATIONS

Most of the main dyslexia institutes and organisations offer bursary schemes. Try the Dyslexia Institute, the Dyslexia Teaching Centre in London, the Helen Arkell Centre in Farnham. Also try the local branch of the British Dyslexia Association.

5. CHARITIES

Try educational or local charities, or church organisations.

6. HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS

If you are accepted onto a course in a college of higher education, you could qualify for a Disabled Students Allowance. The Allowance does not cover the cost of the initial assessment, but many colleges are prepared to cover the cost of this themselves. If all else fails, it may be worth trying to borrow the money to have the assessment, as if you are awarded the Allowance, you may receive aid worth several thousand pounds.

© Author of this article: Dr Sylvia Moody, Dyslexia Assessment Service, London. This article can be freely reproduced with due attribution of authorship.