Navigating a Dyslexia and Dyscalculia Diagnosis for Home Educators around the Kegworth area
Home educating is a unique journey. It is an incredible commitment to nurture a child’s innate curiosity, and for most home educators, it is not “school at home.” As a specialist provider of dyslexia and dyscalculia diagnosis in Kegworth, I see how home education can allow children to flourish.
Home Education is rarely “School at Home”
The reality of home education is usually very different from how people may imagine. We don’t usually sit at tables from 9–3 wading through textbooks. Many of us don’t follow a school curriculum. Instead, we encourage a deep, meaningful engagement with the environment, initially through play. As a specialist teacher and assessor and a home educator based in Kegworth, I understand that tailored learning is at the heart of your child’s day.
From Measuring Wood to Baking Cakes: Organic Learning
As home-educated children grow, their learning remains purposeful. They might scale recipes or measure wood for a project. These tasks build resilience. Often, children become experts in a passion, overcoming obstacles because they are intrinsically motivated to complete a project they love.
When to Seek a Dyslexia and Dyscalculia Diagnosis
Even within a flexible environment, struggles with literacy or numeracy can become hurdles. When a child hits a “wall,” a dyslexia and dyscalculia diagnosis becomes a valuable tool. For families in Kegworth and surrounding areas like Castle Donington, Long Eaton and Hemington, an assessment can provide an important understanding of the child’s strengths, weaknesses and the obstacles which are leading to their struggles.
How to Speak “Assessor”: Translating Home Life
When seeking a dyslexia and dyscalculia diagnosis, ensure your assessor understands your chosen educational path. Many assessors expect school-type timetables. They may ask which curriculum you follow. Explaining how your family approaches learning helps them understand your unique path.
Tell them about your normal week. This might include online lessons, Forest Schools, or sports clubs. Does your child build incredible Lego structures without needing instructions? Perhaps they lead the group in building dens at Forest School. Or maybe they are currently emersed in a complex coding project. Share their passions, such as learning Korean culture, food, and music. Explain how your child engages with all the activities that they participate in during their week. Let the assessor into your world.
Help the assessor see how you incorporate maths and literature into your child’s daily encounters. In a dyslexia and dyscalculia diagnosis, it is vital the assessor sees how your educational style provides the unique support that your child requires.
Finding the Right Assessment for Your Child
If you need a dyslexia and dyscalculia diagnosis, it is imperative that the assessor understands and respects your educational philosophy. They need to see the unique support that your child has benefited from to accurately understand the background information and current situation. They also need to be able to provide a report with recommendations that will be useful and adaptable for a home-based lifestyle, including recommendations for outside educators, when required.
If you are based around Kegworth, Castle Donington, Long Eaton, or Hathern, please check out the assessment options at Education Pitstop.
For those further afield, ensure your assessor holds a current APC and is a member of a professional body like the Dyslexia Guild.
