The SEND Crisis and Why Dyslexia Assessment Matters

The Education Committee recently described England’s SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) system as “broken.” For many parents, this will come as no surprise. Families often face long waits, endless paperwork, and exhausting battles just to secure the right support for their children. Read the Twinkl news article here.

This national picture of underfunding and inconsistency can feel overwhelming. But within this difficult landscape, one thing is clear: a high-quality dyslexia assessment can still make a profound difference.

Why Parents Seek Clarity

Dyslexia is often misunderstood as simply a problem with reading or writing. Yet many parents tell me the impact goes much deeper:

• Loss of confidence and agency - children feeling powerless in their learning.

• Exclusion from peers - struggling to keep up, feeling different, or withdrawing socially.

• Invisible struggles - which can be misinterpreted by teachers as lack of effort.

Recent research supports this view. Importantly, parents did not see dyslexia as just a reading problem, but as an issue of lost agency and exclusion. Diagnosis, they explained, is less about “labelling” and more about making difficulties visible so children’s needs are met holistically. Read the full Schools Week article here.

The Role of Dyslexia Assessment

A professional dyslexia assessment does far more than produce scores. It:

• Provides a clear profile of strengths and difficulties.

• Offers schools the evidence often required to unlock resources and adjustments.

• Suggests practical strategies tailored to the child’s needs.

• Helps restore a child’s confidence, self-esteem, and sense of belonging.

In short, assessment offers a common language between parents, schools, and professionals. And in an imperfect system, that shared understanding is undeniably valuable.

Looking Forward

SEND reform is urgently needed. Reports call for national standards, earlier support, and greater consistency - but these changes will take time.

Until then, parents deserve clarity now. A dyslexia assessment provides that clarity, helping to secure the right support both in school and at home. Most importantly, it ensures that children are not defined by struggle but seen for their potential.

✨ If you’re concerned about your child’s literacy, confidence, or inclusion at school, a dyslexia assessment could be the first step towards answers and support.✨