About Dyslexia West Midlands
Meet the specialist teachers and psychologists behind Dyslexia West Midlands and learn about our 10+ years supporting children, adults and schools.
About Dyslexia West Midlands
Specialist knowledge. A genuinely caring approach.
Dyslexia West Midlands began with a simple belief: children and adults experiencing learning difficulties deserve access to knowledgeable specialists who also understand the person behind the assessment.
Founder Suzanne had spent years working within schools, particularly with children with special educational needs, as well as working with Dyslexia Action.
Through that experience, she saw how much additional support was needed across the Midlands.
She established Dyslexia West Midlands more than ten years ago with the aim of building a service around both professional expertise and the empathy and caring approach she believed every client deserved.
More than 10 years helping children and adults
Since then, Dyslexia West Midlands has grown into a team of 13 specialist teachers and educational psychologist assessors.
Together, we've helped thousands of children and adults through assessment and tuition.
Although our work is primarily across the West Midlands, people also travel to us from elsewhere in the UK and some assessment services can be delivered online.
Expertise matters. So does how people are treated.
Professional qualifications are essential when carrying out specialist assessments.
But they're not the only thing that matters to us. Children may arrive worried about what is going to happen. Parents may have spent months or years trying to understand why their child is struggling. Adults may arrive after a lifetime of questioning their abilities.
Our team understands that. We aim to make assessments positive and reassuring while giving clients the professional, detailed answers they came to us to find.
A team of qualified specialists
Our team includes specialist dyslexia teachers and educational psychologists with professional qualifications and experience across different areas of education and assessment.
Our assessors maintain appropriate professional development, and specialist assessors hold relevant Assessment Practising Certificates where required.
All members of our team have DBS checks in place.
More than 10 years helping children and adults
Since then, Dyslexia West Midlands has grown into a team of 13 specialist teachers and educational psychologist assessors.
Together, we've helped thousands of children and adults through assessment and tuition.
Although our work is primarily across the West Midlands, people also travel to us from elsewhere in the UK and some assessment services can be delivered online.
Expertise matters. So does how people are treated.
Professional qualifications are essential when carrying out specialist assessments.
But they're not the only thing that matters to us. Children may arrive worried about what is going to happen. Parents may have spent months or years trying to understand why their child is struggling. Adults may arrive after a lifetime of questioning their abilities.
Our team understands that. We aim to make assessments positive and reassuring while giving clients the professional, detailed answers they came to us to find.
A team of qualified specialists
Our team includes specialist dyslexia teachers and educational psychologists with professional qualifications and experience across different areas of education and assessment.
Our assessors maintain appropriate professional development, and specialist assessors hold relevant Assessment Practising Certificates where required.
All members of our team have DBS checks in place.
Suzanne McDowell BSC(Hons) PGCE Dip SpLD AMBDA
Specialist Teacher, Assessor and Workplace Consultant
Octavius Ross BSc(Hons), PGCE, MEd (Ed Psych), C Psychol
Consultant Chartered Psychologist and Educational Psychologist
Dawn Francis BSc, PhD, PG Dip, C.Psychol
British Psychological Society - Chartered Psychologist
Mrs. Jane Hateley
Specialist Dyslexia Assessor
Mrs Alison Davies
Specialist Dyslexia Assessor
Debbie Duggan
BA (Hons), PGCE in Primary Education, Post Graduate Certificate and Diploma in specific learning difficulties - dyslexia. APC no: 25/APC07143
Laura Turley
Dyslexia Assessor
Mrs. Hayley Adams
Specialist Dyslexia Assessor
Mrs Vicky Boote
Specialist Dyslexia Assessor
Alison Pierson BA(Hons) PGCE Dip Spld AMBDA
Specialist Teacher and Dyslexia Assessor
Miss Shannon Power
Specialist Teacher
Each member of the team brings their own experience and areas of specialist knowledge, including primary education, secondary education, further and higher education, dyslexia assessment, educational psychology and specific learning difficulties.
We also have specialists able to assess dyscalculia and dysgraphia.
Why choose Dyslexia West Midlands?
Many of our clients come to us through personal recommendation and word of mouth. Suzanne believes this reflects both the knowledge of the team and the way people are treated throughout the process.
Clients frequently value our personable approach, the thoroughness of our reports and the opportunity to speak to specialists who take the time to understand their individual concerns.
For children, that might mean movement breaks, encouragement and having a parent waiting immediately outside the assessment room.
For an adult, it can mean being able to talk openly about difficulties they may have spent decades trying to hide or compensate for.
FAQs
What if I am not sure which member of the team I need?
Do you work with schools as well as families?
Do you only provide assessments?
How do I know an assessor is suitably qualified?
What types of professionals are involved in dyslexia assessment?
Who does Dyslexia West Midlands support?
Talk to someone who understands
Whether you're worried about your child, seeking answers for yourself or looking for specialist support for your school, you're welcome to talk to us before deciding what to do next.
Contact Us
HQ Assessment Centre
Dyslexia West Midlands
Number 3, The Quadrant,
Coventry, CV1 2DY
Teaching Centre
51 Lynchgate Lane,
Burbage, LE10 2DR
Teaching Centre
Regus: Birmingham Blythe Valley Business Park, Central Boulevard, Solihull, Birmingham, B90 8AG
Free 15 minute Consultations available
Assessments for adults and children starting from £250
Need extra time for examinations?
We have specialist teachers that can conduct a FORM 8 for GCSE's and A levels. Please call or e mail to find out more.
Ready to Step Forward?
Whether you're a parent, an adult suspecting you might be dyslexic, or a school seeking clarity, Dyslexia West Midlands is here to help.
