Many parents come to us feeling unsure whether their child’s reading or spelling difficulties are typical or something more. It can be hard to know when to seek help, especially when your child is bright, capable, and trying their best.
A dyslexia assessment provides clarity. It helps you understand why your child is struggling and what will genuinely support their learning. We provide comprehensive dyslexia and learning assessments for children and teenagers across Sydney and the Inner West, conducted by registered psychologists.
.
.
What a dyslexia assessment at our Sydney Centre can tell you
Our assessments are conducted by registered psychologists at our Sydney Inner West Centre, with remote options available for families who cannot attend in person.
A high‑quality dyslexia assessment looks beyond reading alone. At the Literacy and Learning Centre, we assess the full range of skills that contribute to literacy so you receive a clear, accurate picture of your child’s learning profile.
Our comprehensive dyslexia assessment (3 hours) examines:
• phonological awareness
• oral language
• letter–sound knowledge
• decoding and word reading
• reading fluency
• spelling and written expression
These areas together form the core components used to identify Specific Learning Disorder (dyslexia).
Families may also choose to include a cognitive assessment (e.g., working memory, processing, reasoning, attention) for a more complete understanding of learning strengths and challenges. Many parents find that combining both assessments provides the clearest picture of how their child learns.
Together, these assessments can help to clarify whether your child meets criteria for dyslexia and what supports will be most effective at school and at home.
.
Signs Your Child May Benefit From an Assessment
Parents often contact us when they notice:
• difficulty sounding out unfamiliar words
• slow, effortful reading
• guessing words based on the first letter
• trouble remembering spelling patterns
• frustration or avoidance around reading
• a noticeable gap between verbal ability and literacy skills
If these sound familiar, an assessment can provide clarity and direction.
.
.
What Happens During the Assessment
Our assessments are calm, child‑friendly, and paced to help your child feel comfortable.
They include:
• a parent interview
• review of school reports, work samples, or other professional assessments
• standardised literacy testing
• optional cognitive assessment (where indicated)
• a detailed written report
• a feedback session where we explain results and next steps
You’ll receive practical, evidence‑based recommendations you can use at home and school.
.
How results support your child
A dyslexia assessment can help with:
-
- targeted literacy intervention
-
- school accommodations and supports
-
- exam adjustments
-
- increased confidence and reduced frustration
Most importantly, it helps your child understand that their challenges are real — and that there are effective ways to support them.
.
Frequently Asked Questions
At what age can a child be assessed for dyslexia?
Dyslexia can usually be identified once children have had some formal reading instruction and are beginning to develop basic reading skills. For many children, this is during the early primary school years, although some students only show clear difficulties later in their schooling.
Some younger children may show early signs of risk for dyslexia — for example, difficulty learning letter–sound relationships, recognising familiar words, or developing phonological awareness. In these situations, an assessment can help clarify a child’s learning profile and guide early support.
Importantly, families do not need to wait for a formal diagnosis before seeking help. Early identification and targeted support can make a meaningful difference to a child’s reading development. It is also never too late for older students to access the supports they need to thrive at school.
Do you assess for dysgraphia or dyscalculia?
Our learning assessments examine reading, spelling, writing, Maths and related cognitive processes. If concerns arise in other areas, this can be discussed during the initial consultation.
Do you offer remote or online assessments?
Yes. In some situations, a remote (online) assessment can be a suitable option.
Remote assessments are conducted by registered psychologists who are experienced in working with children online, including families living in rural or remote areas or overseas.
Remote assessments are generally appropriate for children around 8 years and older and can be helpful when exploring learning difficulties such as dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, or moderate attention and executive functioning challenges. Cognitive testing can also be completed online when needed.
Some children — particularly younger children or those with significant attention, behaviour, or communication difficulties — may be better suited to an in‑person assessment. We can help you determine which option is most appropriate for your child.
.
Where We Work
Our Centre is located in Sydney’s Inner West, and families travel to us from across Sydney — including the Inner West, Eastern Suburbs, Lower North Shore, Western Suburbs and surrounding areas. We also work with families from regional and rural NSW who are seeking clarity about dyslexia and learning needs.
For children who cannot attend in person, we offer remote (online) dyslexia assessments. This option allows families to access a psychologist‑led assessment even when distance or travel makes an in‑person appointment difficult.
.
Fees and rebates
All assessments are conducted by registered psychologists using evidence‑based tools.
Health fund rebates may apply depending on your fund and level of cover. We can guide you through the options.
.
Looking for a simple overview of the dyslexia assessment process?
If you’d like a clear, parent‑friendly summary of what’s involved, you can read more here:
Dyslexia Learning Assessments for Children and Teens
.
Interested in finding out more about dyslexia and what the research says?
If you are interested in finding out more about dyslexia, what the research says about dyslexia, and the skills needed to learn how to be an efficient reader and spelling please click here
.
Ready to talk to someone?
If you’re unsure whether an assessment is right for your child, we’re happy to help you think it through.