Helping a child with learning difficulties
Explore questions about learning, assessment and practical support for your child at home and school.
Open a question to read the answer. General guidance helps you explore your options; it cannot diagnose an individual.
What should I tell DTC about my child?
Describe what you and school notice in reading, spelling and written work. Include support already tried, previous assessments, strengths and interests. Tell the team about access needs or worries so it can plan the appointment. Share personal details through DTC’s booking process, not this pilot chat.
Link to this questionCan my child get support before a diagnosis?
Yes—DTC’s children’s page says support does not need to wait for diagnosis. Discuss your child’s needs with school and ask DTC about early support and assessment suitability. Younger children may need a different starting point from a full dyslexia assessment.
Link to this questionCan DTC help with homework, revision and organisation?
DTC offers study-skills help for GCSE and A-level students, including planning, revision, note-taking, assignments and deadlines. Explain what is difficult so the team can discuss practical support alongside assessment or aftercare.
Link to this questionWho will assess me or my child?
DTC’s FAQ describes its dyslexia assessors as Level 7 specialist teachers with a current Assessment Practising Certificate (APC). Ask who will conduct your appointment.
Link to this questionHow can I help my child?
You do not need to know which assessment to choose before asking for help. DTC starts with what your child is finding difficult.
If reading or spelling is the concern, watch the dyslexia signs video below and explore the free dyslexia screener. If your child already has a diagnosis, aftercare can help turn report recommendations into practical support at home and school.
Use the school-support links below, or book a free 15-minute conversation to discuss your child’s needs. Screening is a starting point, not a diagnosis.
Link to this questionIs my child dyslexic?
If your child is struggling with reading or spelling, DTC’s dyslexia video is a useful starting point. An assessment explores more than literacy: it also considers memory, processing and underlying ability, with recommendations for learning at home and in class.
Watch the assessment video to see the process, then discuss your child’s needs with DTC. The current homepage generally recommends assessment from eight, with individual guidance for younger children. Support can begin before diagnosis.
Link to this questionCould my child be autistic?
Differences in communication, play, sensory responses or reactions to changes in routine can be reasons to seek advice about autism. Autistic children vary widely and may not show all commonly described signs. A video or online checklist cannot diagnose your child.
Note what you see at home and discuss it with your child’s teacher, health visitor or GP. DTC can explain its private clinical autism pathway and help you explore assessment options and practical support.
Link to this questionCould my child have ADHD?
Persistent difficulties with attention, following instructions, activity levels or impulse control can be worth discussing. Many children show some of these behaviours for other reasons; they do not automatically mean ADHD.
Share examples with your child’s teacher or SENCO and speak to a GP if you remain concerned. Support at home and school can continue while assessment is considered. DTC can discuss its private clinical pathway and explain which information is needed.
Link to this questionHow do I enquire for my child?
A parent or responsible adult can contact DTC to discuss age, suitability and the assessment options available. Please ask the team directly about your child’s circumstances and leave identifying details out of this chat.
Link to this questionHow is dyslexia assessed in a child?
DTC describes background and school questionnaires, followed by tasks exploring reading, spelling, writing, memory and processing. The assessor considers the whole picture rather than a single score.
Link to this questionWhat is available for younger children?
The DTC FAQ describes a learning needs assessment for children under seven. This is a different route from a dyslexia diagnostic assessment; the team can explain its scope.
Link to this questionDoes DTC assess children for dyspraxia?
The saved DTC page lists its dyspraxia assessment as adult only, from age eighteen. It says the team can discuss an alternative assessor for someone younger. Current arrangements need confirmation.
Link to this questionWhat signs of dyslexia might children show?
Examples include persistent difficulties with reading, spelling and organising schoolwork. These signs can have different explanations and are not a diagnosis.
Link to this questionWho is a SENCO?
A SENCO is a school’s special educational needs coordinator. This role helps coordinate support for pupils with additional learning needs.
Link to this questionTalk through your next step
You don’t need to choose an assessment alone. Tell DTC what you would like help understanding.
Book a free consultation