Diagnostic Assessment

A Specific Learning Difficulty (SpLD) diagnostic assessment is a test conducted by an Educational Psychologist to establish whether you have: dyslexia, dyspraxia, dyscalculia, ADHD or other SpLD. 

You can arrange your own diagnostic assessment or we can assist you in making an appointment with our partner Educational Psychologist. 

The assessment involves a detailed discussion between you and the Educational Psychologist and your appointment will be conducted online via MS Teams.

If you decide to find your own Educational Psychologist then the full cost is your liability and you will not receive any reimbursement towards the cost. 

Should you choose to use our partner Educational Psychologist, then the following contributions will be made: 

For Academic Year 2023/4 the full cost of the assessment is £350, however:

  • Most students will pay £175 (applicable for students with 6 months or more remaining on their current course of study with Keele University).
  • For apprentices, the cost will be paid for by the university.
  • If you have less than 6 months on your course you will be required to pay the full amount of £350.
  • If you have already had one assessment and would like an additional assessment within the same academic year you will be required to pay the full amount of £350. 

You will pay the assessor directly via bank transfer prior to your assessment: 

  • On booking your appointment, or no later than 5 working days before your appointment: You must pay a £50 deposit to YPS Psychology Ltd
  • 24 hours before your appointment: You must pay the remaining balance of £125 to YPS Psychology Ltd
  • Please add your own name as the payment reference when making your payments.

If you are unable to keep the appointment, please contact the assessor as soon as possible to make alternative arrangements. If you have paid your deposit and wish to cancel more than 24 hours before your appointment, your deposit will be refunded. Any cancellations made within 24 hours of your appointment will not be refunded. 

Before the assessment takes place, it is good to plan and prepare a list of issues and think about what support you would benefit from in order to assist you with your studies.  To ensure you get the most out of your diagnostic assessment, it would be useful for you to think about the following areas:

  • Study skills that you may have difficulty with, for example reading, research or attending lectures with large numbers of students
  • Drafting assignments
  • Your time management and organisational skills
  • Exam arrangements
  • How you cope with practical work
  • Accommodation issues

If you think you would benefit from a Diagnostic Assessment, please email support.dsi@keele.ac.uk. 

We will send you the current information about how to book an appointment. 

With a confirmed diagnosis of an SpLD, this will give you access to additional support. If you feel you would benefit from prescribed medication you would need to seek further advice from your GP. 

Occasionally, an assessment will result in no SpLD being identified.