What is SEND?

In the UK, SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) covers a broad range of needs and disabilities that can affect a child or young person’s ability to learn. This can include:

• Autism
• ADD / ADHD
• Dyslexia, discalculia, dyspraxia
• Speech, language, and communication needs (SLCN)
• Social, emotional, and mental health (SEMH)

Getting Support within your Child’s School

If you think your child may have special educational needs, contact the SEND co-ordinator, or ‘SENDCO’ in your child’s school. Your child may be eligible for personalised support within the school setting, such as an individual learning programme, extra help from a teacher or assistant, small group work etc.

Requesting an EHC Assessment

You can ask the local authority to carry out an EHC assessment (Education, Health and Care Plan) which will identify your child’s needs and outline the additional support required to support those needs. This request can be made by the parents, teachers, doctors and health visitors.

Charities and Additional Information

Here are a few of the main national charities offering support and guidance in the UK:

• National Autistic Society (includes a directory to help you find UK-wide or local organisations and services that are specifically for, or have adapted their services, to meet the needs of autistic people and/or their families.
• British Dyslexia Association (including diagnostic assessments for dyslexia and discalculia).
• Mind (for mental health support).

Private Diagnostic Assessments

For some families, getting a diagnostic assessment done privately can be an option. Here are some private services which may be helpful for you and your family:

Doodle Dyslexia Services

For students struggling with literacy, a dyslexia assessment can be a crucial first step in understanding the barriers affecting their progress.

Contact Frankie at info@doodledyslexiaservices.co.uk to arrange a free no obligation call to discuss how best to support your child. When booking an assessment quote BRIGHTDOODLE for a 5% discount off the diagnostic assessment price (£550 reduced to £522.50).

Frankie is an experienced teacher with 12 years of classroom experience and a passion for supporting children and families who face literacy challenges. Frankie holds a Level 7 Postgraduate Diploma in Specialist Assessment and Teaching for Literacy-Related Difficulties and an Assessment Practising Certificate (APC) from the Dyslexia Guild. Having received a BSc in Psychology from Loughborough University and a PGCE in Primary Education from the Institute of Education, Frankie decided to leave classroom teaching to specialise in dyslexia assessments because she believes in giving every child the tools and confidence to become curious, inquisitive learners.

She offers calm, welcoming assessments in a face to face setting (either your child’s school or home) designed to provide a positive experience for every child. Her diagnostic reports offer actionable insights for tutors, schools, and educational establishments, highlighting areas of strength and providing strategies to address challenges. Frankie is based in London, and covers all of Greater London and the South East, however please do get in touch to ask about availability outside of these areas. Remote assessments are also possible if preferred; please do just request this at the time of booking.

Brentford Dyslexia 

At Brentford Dyslexia I provide expert and compassionate dyslexia assessments for children aged 8 to 15 in the West London area to help them thrive. I offer full diagnostic assessments that identify your child’s unique learning profile and provide tailored recommendations. My personalised approach helps unlock your child’s unique strengths.

I want to get to know your child as part of the assessment and understand their strengths and difficulties to personalise my report and recommendations. I use games and fun activities to put children at ease and to help them feel relaxed in order to get the best from every learner.

I provide full diagnostic reports that include recommendations for home and school with suggestions for specialist tutors and teachers. Access arrangements for exams are also provided if appropriate. I also offer pre assessment meetings and a follow up call to discuss the findings. If you mention Brightlight education when booking I can offer a 5% discount (£522.50 instead of £550). I can complete the assessment at my home in Brentford, at your home or at your child’s school.

I have over 20 years of teaching experience, and am currently a SENCo in an Ealing school,  I’m dedicated to helping children overcome learning barriers. As a specialist teacher and assessor – and a parent to a dyslexic child – I bring both professional expertise and personal understanding. Please feel free to give me a call on 07429 081844, or email me on brentforddyslexia@gmail.com  or visit my website for more information – www.brentforddyslexia.co.uk.

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