Dyslexia assessments (FOI)

Request

Could you please provide states protocol / legislation for assessing school children with dyslexia.

I am aware that the child must be above the age of seven, and it must be done via the school SENco, SEND and EP.

I am looking for the specific legislation when a parent has formally requested a dyslexia assessment via the school SENco and the legislation in place whereby an assessment will be conducted. 

The current states guides only refers to dyslexia being a learning difficulty but I am unable to locate the process whereby a child is formally assessed and this is what I am looking for.

Could you also provide a list of EP’s who are trained and will conduct the dyslexia assessment?

Response

There is no specific legislation for assessing school children for dyslexia.

Where a school aged child is identified as having difficulty with literacy, the school staff, usually the Special Education Needs Coordinator (SENCo), can use the Jersey Literacy Assessment and Intervention Tool (J-LAIT) to assess and provide possible interventions for support.

Should the SENCo require more targeted interventions, the support of an Educational Psychologist (EP) can be requested. The EP will work with the child, the school and the family to implement programmes of support.

All intervention is provided with a Plan, Do, Review approach so that interventions can be reassessed if they are helping or not.

Please find attached a document produced by the Inclusion Team titled ‘Important points to remember when speaking to parents about reading difficulties and dyslexia’ which contains some further information. This document is readily available to all school staff and professionals within Children, Young People, Education and Skills (CYPES).

Dyslexia Guidelines

The are currently six EPs employed within CYPES who are fully qualified to assess literacy difficulties. Further contact details are available on www.gov.je

Educational Psychologists (EPs)