Specialist diagnostic dyslexia and dyscalculia assessments, screening assessments and 1:1 teaching in the South West covering Devon, Dorset and Somerset.
My name is Amanda Stokes and I am the founder of Dyslexia Care. I was a classroom teacher for over 15 years and have been assessing individuals for dyslexia, and later dyscalculia, for over 9 years. Assessments can take place at my home in Sidmouth. I can also carry out assessments at the individual's home or school if appropriate in the surrounding areas in Devon, Dorset and Somerset. I have experience of working with individuals with a range of neurodevelopment disorders such as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and Developmental Language Disorder (DLD).
I offer:
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specialist diagnostic dyslexia assessments.
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specialist diagnostic dyscalculia assessments.
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informal assessments in maths and literacy.
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Access Arrangements (AA) to schools
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support to schools with EHCNA requests and supporting individuals with dyslexia
Qualifications / memberships
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Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) with BEd (Hons)
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Level 7 Specialist Teaching of Pupils with Specific Learning Difficulties (dyslexia)
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Level 5 Dyscalculia and Maths Learning Difficulties Certificate number 81371562026551611
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Postgraduate Certificate in Special Educational Needs Coordination (SENCO)
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Assessing Practicing Certificate (APC) number 26/APC08171
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Associate Member of the British Dyslexia Association (AMBDA) 23/AMB08011
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Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) registration number ZB887308
I have an enhanced DBS certificate and professional indemnity insurance.
Early identification of dyslexia and/or dyscalculia enables the individual to have the support and intervention they need before the achievement gap widens between them and their peers of the same age.
If you would like to discuss the assessment process or are not sure whether an assessment is suitable, please contact me by telephone or email. I offer a free consultation where we can discuss the best way I can help your child.
The assessment and the process
If your child is having difficulties with reading, spelling and/or maths, you may wish to consider a full diagnostic dyslexia or dyscalculia assessment. I can complete full diagnostic assessments for dyslexia and dyscalculia for 8-18 year olds. A complete diagnostic assessment by a qualified assessor is the only way to give a diagnosis of dyslexia or dyscalculia. A full dyslexia assessment costs £425 and a dyscalculia assessment costs £435. I also offer a combined dyslexia and dyscalculia assessment. Please contact me for further details about this. The fee includes gathering background information before the assessment, a full detailed report with a diagnosis if appropriate and recommendations, as well as being available to answer any questions after the report has been received.
An individual dyslexia assessment takes approximately 2 - 2 1/2 hours. Regular breaks will be given as often as needed. My aim is to make the individual feel as comfortable as possible. The process will include assessments of underlying verbal and visual ability, cognitive skills (including working memory and phonological awareness), reading and spelling at both word and sentence level, and writing. A dyscalculia assessment takes a similar format but assessments of number awareness and maths skills replace those of reading and spelling at sentence level, and writing. It is essential that the individual has had a recent eyesight test (within 2 years) with an optician. In addition, any visual difficulties must be investigated such as words being blurry, moving around, headaches when reading. This is usually carried out by an optometrist.
The assessments can be carried out at the assessor's home in Sidmouth, at your home or at the individual's school if mutually agreed, in Devon, Dorset or Somerset. I have an enhanced DBS certificate.
After the assessment, you will receive a detailed report adhering to SASC standards within 15 working days detailing whether a diagnosis has been given. A diagnosis is not guaranteed but the report can be used to identify the individual's strengths and areas to support with recommendations. If identified, the dyslexia diagnosis is lifelong.
If your child is having maths difficulties, please contact me as there are many reasons why someone may have difficulties in maths, and not all of them are due to dyscalculia. The process for a dyscalculia assessment is the same as for dyslexia, but different assessments are used.
Parent, Sidbury, Devon, July 2026
Amanda has been great to work with, our school recommended her. Her communication has been great. She got on so well with my son for his assessment, making him feel at ease and happy throughout. She then produced a very comprehensive report which was in great detail going over the results and how to help, with recommendations. We then went through the report over the phone and she has continued to offer support as we go forward. I couldn't recommend her enough if you're looking to get your child assessed for dyslexia.
Parent, Exmouth, Devon, July 2026
We had an excellent experience with Amanda. She was professional, knowledgeable and made my daughter feel completely at ease throughout the process. Post assessment, she has also been very helpful with advice and recommendations.
GH, Parent, Devon, July 2026
Amanda provides a first class service with both experience and empathy. She made my daughter feel settled as they sat down for her assessment. She also helped me understand the process and the report which was incredibly detailed and thorough.
AL, Parent, February 2025
I recommend Amanda who is a kind, friendly and patient lady who made the whole dyslexia and dyscalculia assessment very calming so she felt at ease. She didn't feel any pressure or rush to do the tests. My daughter could take it at her own pace without any worry.
Please contact me at Dyslexia Care for further information.
Sidmouth
Devon EX10
AMANDA STOKES BEd (Hons)
AMBDA, APC, BDA