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Welcome
Unlocking Learning Potential
Expert assessments and guidance celebrating neurodiversity.
About Breakthrough Dyslexia
About me
I provide comprehensive dyslexia assessments as a qualified assessor of Specific Learning Difficulties, holding an Assessment Practising Certificate from the Dyslexia Guild. My experience extends beyond dyslexia: I have supported students with a wide range of neurodiverse profiles, including ADHD, autism and dyspraxia (DCD).
My passion for helping learners reach their potential has led me to complete a Postgraduate Diploma in Teaching and Assessing Learners with Specific Learning Difficulties, as well as the PATOSS Assessing for Access Arrangements Certificate (AAA). I am also a qualified CELTA teacher. I am committed to ongoing professional development, including completion of the ELKLAN Speech and Language support for 11-16s course and trained as a Graydin Advanced Coach. Most recently, I completed a Master of Education (MEd) in Professional Practice in Dyslexia and Literacy, with my research focused on writing in secondary schools.
With extensive experience across both the state and independent sectors, I have worked with students from Year 3 to Year 13 in roles including specialist teacher and assessor, high-level teaching assistant and English as an Additional Language Coordinator. This breadth of experience enables me to understand and respond to diverse learning needs with targeted, practical strategies.
My goal is to identify each learner's individual needs and provide tailored strategies that help them thrive.
Natalie Weatherley BA (Hons), MEd, Level 7 Diploma, APC (0821/826)
Discover Your Potential with breakthroughdyslexia.com
What is dyslexia?
Why have a dyslexia assessment?
Why have a dyslexia assessment?
Dyslexia is a specific learning difficulty that most commonly affects reading and writing, but it is not limited to these areas. At its core, dyslexia is related to differences in how a person processes information. Individuals with dyslexia may find it harder to process and remember what they see and hear, which can influence learning and the development of literacy skills. It can also affect other areas, such as organisation and working memory.
It is equally important to recognise the strengths associated with dyslexia. Many individuals with dyslexia excel in areas such as problem-solving, visual thinking, creativity, and reasoning. Thinking differently can bring valuable perspectives and unique talents.
Why have a dyslexia assessment?
Why have a dyslexia assessment?
Why have a dyslexia assessment?
A dyslexia assessment helps you understand learning strengths and challenges at any age. It can identify whether dyslexia is present and provide clear strategies to support learning at home, at school, in further or higher education, or in the workplace. The assessment can also indicate appropriate exam access arrangements or other accommodations, ensuring that children, young people, and adults receive the tailored support, tools, and confidence they need to succeed.
the ASSESSMENT process
Preparation
What happens during an assessment?
What happens during an assessment?
Before the assessment takes place, I ask parents/carers, adult clients, and (where relevant) the school SENCO to complete a background questionnaire. The more detail that can be shared, the better, as background history is an important part of the assessment process. An up-to-date eye test (within the last two years) is also required before the assessment and can be booked with a high-street optician.
What happens during an assessment?
What happens during an assessment?
What happens during an assessment?
A dyslexia assessment, for both children and adults, involves a range of activities designed to look at skills such as reading, spelling, writing, and numeracy, as well as memory, processing speed, and phonological awareness.
Assessments are at my home in Putney. They take around three to four hours and include a short break for refreshments. My aim is always to create a calm and supportive atmosphere so that the process feels positive and confidence-building.
What happens after an assessment?
What happens during an assessment?
What happens after an assessment?
Following the assessment, I provide a detailed report that explains the findings and includes tailored recommendations for support strategies. If dyslexia is not identified, you can choose to skip this step and pay only for the assessment itself. Reports are usually completed and emailed within 21 days.
In some cases, onward referral to other specialists may also be recommended to ensure the right support is in place. I can provide guidance on next steps.
FURTHER Information
Support Pathways After Assessment
A dyslexia assessment can support learning at all stages of education. For school-aged students, the assessment may be used as evidence for exam access arrangements, provided the school agrees to this prior to the assessment. For those progressing to higher education, the assessment report can also be used to apply for funded support through the Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA) at university.
Fees
Fees
Full Diagnostic Report £850
Exam Access Arrangements Report £375
Non-refundable deposit of £100 to be paid in advance
Professional Memberships
