Alexandra M Wylie Dyslexia
Dyslexia Assessments &Tutoring
A qualified learning support teacher & dyslexia assessor, Alexandra draws on her extensive experience to provide tailored support for pupils and their families.
To arrange an assessment, find out more about tutoring, or discuss your child’s difficulties, please get in touch
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About Alexandra
After a fantastic fifteen years of working in London, I have decided to move to Oxfordshire, to be closer to family. I started my career as a classroom teacher in the state sector and then moved to Thomas’s Fulham, where I taught Years 2 and 3, for several years. I then retrained to became a Specialist teacher, remaining at Thomas’s for a further decade.
I now work at The Dragon, as part of their innovative learning support department. Being part of such a forward-thinking school enables me to continuously evolve my practice and keep up to date with the latest educational research. When I am not at The Dragon, I work for The Helen Arkell Dyslexia Centre, as a Specialist Assessor, as well as assessing and tutoring privately. I hold an up to date APC certificate with SASC, the body that maintains the national register for qualified, specialist assessors, having graduated from The Helen Arkell Dyslexia Centre with distinction, for my report writing.
I am also a member of PATOSS (Professional Association for Teachers of Students with Specific Learning Difficulties) and hold an up to date CRB, as well as relevant insurance.
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My own experience as a dyslexic in the 90s, at a leading girls boarding school, has shaped how I teach and approach assessments. I am deeply empathetic and driven to uncover the many strengths each individual possesses, celebrating these in the process. I believe I help individuals understand their strengths, as well as how individualised, targeted support can make a difference to their everyday life. A well written diagnostic report can empower, as well as aid understanding for all involved with an individual and I consider it a privilege to be able to do this.
About Dyslexia
So, what is dyslexia? At its simplest, dyslexia is the broad term that covers the difficulties the brain has with processing written and spoken information. People commonly understand that individuals with dyslexia will find it hard to read and spell, however, dyslexia can also affect memory, sequencing and organisation.
This presents differently in each individual, but will probably mean at some point in their academic career, an individual with dyslexia will feel learning is hard, which may affect their confidence. I feel very strongly that through a diagnostic assessment, an individual’s strengths can be identified, as well as provide the tools needed to address those areas that they find more challenging.
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In February 2025 the Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry published a new definition of dyslexia, which is shaping current thinking about what dyslexia is. This definition has been informed by three years of research and consultations with a wide variety of experts. Alongside this, SASC have updated their approved list of tests to align more fully with the new definition.
Previously, assessors used the Rose definition of dyslexia, which is now 15 years old. I am excited by the changes that are afoot and feel confident this will lead to an even greater understanding of how best to support those with dyslexia.
Assessments
I assess at my home in Watlington, which is approximately an hour from London, or 30 minutes from Oxford and Reading. There I have a dedicated, calm space for assessments, where parents can wait in the adjacent room. I also conduct assessments at some schools in London. I only conduct in person assessments; I do not assess virtually.
An assessment will last approximately 4 hours, with as many short breaks, as your child needs, after which I will write my report. This will then be sent as a password protected document and a follow up meeting will be arranged; this can either be virtual or in-person. A report typically takes 2-3 weeks to write.
Having worked in schools for the past 15 years, I believe in honest, transparent communication. Having your child assessed if often a worrying time and I will do my best to put you and your child at ease
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A diagnostic assessment is the only way to get a formal diagnosis; this can help individuals understand that the difficulties they have been experiencing are not due to a lack of effort or ability. This can come as a huge relief, and often makes the individual feel better about themselves and more capable as a learner. It can also outline, depending on their age, access arrangements for formal exams.
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The first few years of school are crucial to a child's development and although a child does not need a diagnostic report to receive support at school, (schools are legally obligated to provide support to pupils, even if they have not had a formal diagnosis) an assessment can be crucial in gaining a better understanding of a pupils learning profile and structuring support.
If you feel your child is not making the progress they should be, initially talk to your child’s school; together you may decide it would be beneficial to have a diagnostic assessment. This is usually in Year 3 or 4, however, if there is a strong family history of dyslexia, you may wish to do this earlier.
I am very happy to discuss an assessment at any age and will advise if assessing straightaway, or waiting, is the right course of action. I am also very happy to talk through any worries or concerns you may have and will aim to make this process as straightforward as possible.
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It is important that both you and your child are able to feel at ease. With that in mind, I initially recommend we have a virtual meeting, where you can tell me all about your child, as well as share your child’s views about learning. If it sounds as if I can help, I will send you three questionnaires; one to be completed by you, one to be completed with your child and one to be completed by your child’s current teacher. This helps me build a picture of your child, as well as decide upon which tests to use during the assessment. If I don’t feel I am the right person to help, I may recommend another assessor or specialist more suited to your child’s needs.
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A full diagnostic assessment costs £495. This cost covers an initial virtual (or in person) meeting, the assessment, the report write up and another virtual (or in person) meeting.
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No, you do not. Once written, the report is your property, but I will always recommend that you share it with your child’s school, so they may better understand and support your child.
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Each school works differently, but at the end of your child’s report, I will provide recommendations for your child’s school, as well as how to support your child further at home. I suggest, once you have digested this, you make an appointment with your school’s SENCo and class teacher to discuss these. I may also suggest you child receives additional support from a Specialist teacher, who is trained to teach pupils with Special Educational Needs. These lessons are often at an extra cost, that the school controls.
Tutoring
Alongside assessing for dyslexia, I also tutor. I have helped countless pupils achieve their first choice of school, with a 100% success rate at 11+.
I also offer specialist teaching for those with ADHD, ASC, dyscalculia and dyslexia. Please contact me to discuss this further, as each case is unique. I tutor both in person and virtually.
“Dear Alex,
We just wanted to say thank you so much for all of the help and support you have given us with C’s assessment. You have been amazing and so reassuring throughout!
Thank you for everything!”