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Dyslexia – Professional Report Writing

Dyslexia – Professional Report Writing
Credits Credits
30 Credits
Credits

Introduction

In line with the SpLD Assessment Standards Committee (SASC) guidelines, the Dyslexia Professional Report Writing (DPRW) course is the final module for those who are seeking to train to become specialist teachers/assessors. Delegates then become eligible to apply for an Assessment Practising Certificate (APC), awarded by either The Dyslexia Guild, PATOSS or the British Dyslexia Association (BDA).

Please note this course has specific eligibility requirements which are outlined in the ‘Are you eligible section’.

This is a core module on our Masters in Educational Assessment and also contributes to our other postgraduate programmes: SEND and Inclusion, Inclusive Educational Assessment, Autism and Pastoral Care.

What is an Assessment Practising Certificate (APC)?

An Assessment Practising Certificate (APC) is a recognised licence to practise for specialist teachers/assessors. It confirms that the specialist assessor has the appropriate qualifications to undertake full assessments for dyslexia/SpLD to provide evidence to support an application for the Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA). It also confirms that specialist teachers/assessors have kept their professional practice up-to-date and that their practice has been externally verified as continuing to meet defined competency standards.

Select your study style and dates

Online – self paced

Study at your own pace and time

Info & dates


Cohorts begin in January, May and September.

The next cohort begins on 15 January 2025. Book and enrol before 15 January 2025 to join our next cohort.

In partnership with

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Call us

+44 (0)1273 35 80 80

Where this course fits in

Visual showing Enhancing Assessment Practice and Dyslexia - Professional Report Writing as part of our Masters programmes

Course content

Dyslexia Professional Report Writing is made up of 3 content strands:

  • Strand one: Understanding the concept of SpLD and the history of dyslexia identification
  • Strand two: The components of a thorough dyslexia assessment
  • Strand three: Conducting rigorous assessments and writing professional reports

For more information, please read our detailed content breakdown.

Course details

How will you benefit?

Develop professional expertise

  • Put yourself in a pole position to apply for the SpLD Assessment Practising Certificate (APC).
  • Understand the key dyslexia assessments that need to be used to help each individual.
  • Further, develop your understanding of specific learning difficulties with a focus on dyslexia.
  • Develop dyslexia assessment tools that enable you to write reports to the APC standard.
  • Significantly enhance the quality of your assessment of each individual, whether or not each assessment leads to a diagnosis.
  • Obtain a comprehensive understanding of the academic debates in this area, changes in relation to definitions and terminology over time and the role of discrepancy analysis.
  • Familiarise yourself with the key components of a rigorous and professional dyslexia assessment.
  • Put your enhanced conceptual understanding of dyslexia into practice.
  • Learn how to conduct a full professional assessment and make the best possible judgment.
  • Develop your broader practice, knowledge, and skills through reflection.

Add real value to your school

Our Dyslexia: Professional Report Writing module will enable your school/setting to:

  • Gain a deeper understanding of dyslexia and the real needs of dyslexic students.
  • Identify individuals who require additional support.
  • Produce and use a rigorous, evidence-based framework for assessment and reporting.
  • Foster and develop knowledge and skills that enable you to create a clear learning path for those with dyslexia, based on a holistic analysis of their strengths and key areas for future development.

Learn on the job

  • Harness your day-to-day professional experience and work with your tutor to develop your skills.
  • Explore aspects of your own and others’ practice using theories, reflection, and activities to help you.

Engage with flexible e-learning

  • Study online and integrate your learning into your working day.
  • Work at a time and pace that suits you.
  • Take part in a flexible module that draws on a broad range of learning tasks and practical experience.
  • Work closely with your peers and dedicated tutors online.
  • Access our sophisticated online learning platform and utilise the latest technologies: video and multimedia content, access to two thousand full-text journals, case studies and problem-based scenarios, directed reading, structured learning logs, online discussion, online questionnaires, peer evaluation, student forum and occasional webinars (with tutors and guest lecturers).

Accrue credits towards your Master of Education (MEd)

This module is designed, delivered, and assessed by Real Training and quality assured and awarded by Middlesex University.

  • Attain 30 Masters-level (M-level) credits when you successfully complete the Dyslexia Professional Report Writing module. 
  • Obtain a PGCert or PGDip or MEd in SEND by combining this module with others from any of our Masters programmes. 
  • If you have successfully completed the Certificate of Competence in Educational Testing (CCET), you will be able to apply to join one of our Masters Programmes with an additional 30 credits.
  • Complete an additional 120 credits – this includes a 60-credit dissertation module and the MEd is yours.

Connect with your peers

  • Obtain exclusive access to Campus OnlineTM.
  • Interact with your peers using our advanced learning platform and our unique student forum.

Please note we will ensure that you never feel lonely or unsupported in your studies.

Liaise with experienced tutors

  • Enjoy dedicated specialist support from a broad range of experienced tutors.
  • Work with a professional tutor and receive dedicated support from the module team – made up of experienced EPs and specialist teachers with an APC and AMBDA.

Our SENCOs and EPs know the education sector inside out.

Cohorts begin in January, May, or September.

Detailed content breakdown

Strand one: Understanding the concept of SpLD and the history of dyslexia identification

  • Critically explore the history and concepts behind specific learning difficulties with a primary focus on dyslexia and co-occurring conditions such as dyspraxia and ADHD.
  • Focus on synthesising information from the literature and research in this area from professional publications and guidance relating to the understanding of SpLD and its assessment.
  • Create a timeline outlining and summarising the most significant publications, developments and changes in dyslexia; while also considering the impact and implications of these progressive developments on your understanding of SpLD in teaching and learning.
  • Take part in lively critical discussions on SpLD via our interactive forum in Campus Online.
  • Start to create an assessment checklist consisting of a list of key questions that an SpLD assessment must address. You will develop this throughout the module and it will form the basis of a comprehensive assessment that takes into account a broad range of factors relevant to the identification of dyslexia.

Strand two: The components of a thorough dyslexia assessment

  • Consider the important components of a rigorous and professional dyslexia assessment, enabling you to put into practice the conceptual understanding of dyslexia that you gleaned from the first strand.
  • Consider the use of psychometric tests and a range of wider assessment techniques, including ability, attainment and diagnostic tests of specific cognitive skill.
  • Undertake a focused evaluation of two tests and consider their particular contribution within a dyslexia assessment.
  • Examine the statistical analysis of test data and critically consider the notion of statistically significant differences between test scores.
  • Refine the assessment checklist that you started in the first strand and consider and notes down the appropriate tools and assessment procedures for answering the questions that you have formulated.
  • Consider the meaning and interpretation of a set of given test results provided as a case study on Campus OnlineTM; discuss your interpretation with other delegates in the discussion forum.
  • Complete a multiple-choice questionnaire testing the accuracy of your statistical analysis of test data.
  • Compare and contrast existing professional dyslexia reports, evaluating their approach, style and content.

Strand three: Conducting rigorous assessments and writing professional reports

  • Consolidate the skills and knowledge that you gained in the first and second strands in the consideration of the wider factors involved in conducting a full professional assessment and in making good judgements.
  • Reflect on your developing practise, knowledge and skills.
  • Draw up a plan for a full dyslexia assessment – gather background information; consider specific hypotheses and questions that inform the assessment; consider issues of confidentiality and data protection; clarify the purpose of and rationale for the assessment.

How is the course delivered?

  • You will develop your professional knowledge and understanding through practice – it’s the best way to learn.
  • Campus OnlineTM will support you with content that complements your learning every step of the way.
  • Study with some of the finest practitioners around.
  • Engage with outstanding content and practical activities that truly enhance your professional development.

How will you be assessed?

  • Three written example reports (2,500 words each) stemming from a full SpLD assessment, outlining the rationale and evidence for the identification of a specific learning difficulty.
  • A video submission (DVD or file upload) demonstrating competencies in the direct assessment of a client.

Are you eligible?

You need to have:

Visualisation showing the steps to gaining an APC
  • Either Associate Membership of The Dyslexia Guild (ADG), a British Dyslexia Association accredited Approved Teacher Status (ATS) or Approved Practitioner Status (APS) qualification, or hold level 5 or 7 SpLD specialist teacher/practitioner qualifications which would make you eligible for ADG/ATS/APS.

Please note: if you do not hold a membership or hold an FE/HE membership type, you will need to demonstrate eligibility prior to joining the course.

In addition to this, you will also need to:

You should also:

  • Possess an undergraduate degree.
  • Work in or have access to an education setting.
  • Have access to the required tests (please see the next dropdown for further information).

Are you based in an international setting?

This course is available online and can, therefore, be completed anywhere in the world. Please click here for advice on payment options and other information relevant to those studying outside of the UK.

What tests are required for this course?

For the Dyslexia Professional Report Writing course, you will be required to have the following as the foundation of your test battery:

In addition, it would be beneficial if you had access to DASH or DASH 2 as a supplementary measure of handwriting speed, but this is not compulsory. The DASH 2 covers a wider age range than the first edition (from 8-25 years). However, it will remain possible to use DASH until March 2026, therefore DASH or DASH-2 can be used for the course at the current time. 

Please note that you will not need access to these tests until about two months into the course.

Real Group runs the Dyslexia Action Shop which sells many of the most popular tests from the main test publishers in the UK and USA. We offer delegates a 10% discount off most products.

Please note: we have no control over the rules that publishers use to decide who is eligible to buy their tests and we will need to follow their guidance when selling tests. We may need you to provide information regarding qualifications for us to check your eligibility.

Choose a start date that suits you

Cohorts begin in January, May and September.

The next cohort begins on 15 January 2025. Book and enrol before 15 January 2025 to join our next cohort.

How much does the course cost?

As always, we can offer you a flexible range of fees to suit your finances:

  • Single payment of £2,400 + VAT.
  • Three monthly instalments of £825 + VAT.
  • Ten monthly instalments of £252 + VAT.

For further information please visit the payment FAQ page found here.

Speak to us (01273 35 80 80) or make a booking.

Success stories

“I think the online programme resources were clearly laid out and easily accessible. I found the videos of the assessments being carried out of great help and they made for a great reference tool.”


Ama Boaten-Rolfe

Module leader

A headshot of Jessica Milligan
Jessica Milligan
Module Leader, Professional Practice Manager – Dyslexia Assessment

Jessica is an experienced teacher, teacher trainer and specialist assessor. Her recent school experience includes working as a SENDCo and Specialist Teacher Assessor at schools in London. During this time, Jessica was part of an SpLD Working Party which produced local authority SpLD/Dyslexia policy.

As well as being the course leader for this module, Jessica is also a tutor for our sister company, Dyslexia Action, on the specialist assessment programmes.

Recently she participated in the Delphi panel, contributing to the updated definition of dyslexia in the UK.

Read more >>

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