Educational Difficulties and SEN Assessment
EPIC offers specialist assessment of educational and learning difficulties, and special educational needs (SEN), for children, young people and young adults. This ranges from specific learning difficulties, such as dyslexia, to broader learning disabilities that affect overall functioning. Our consultant-led pathway helps identify exactly where additional support is needed, so families and education settings can put the right help in place.
What are educational difficulties and SEN?
Educational difficulties or special educational needs (SEN) is a broad term that may include many of the neurodevelopmental differences in our neurodevelopmental assessment pathways. For some children, young people and young adults there may be specific difficulties with learning, reading and writing, understanding, following instructions or organising themselves in school, college or university.
Recognising and understanding the level of additional need that a child or young person has in their education setting is important to ensure they can access appropriate support. The 2026 SEND reforms propose a four-tier structure of universal support, targeted support, targeted plus support and specialist support (EHCP). This process is dependent on a child or young person having a thorough assessment of need.
What do we offer?
We offer a range of assessments that may be recommended following initial assessment with one of our consultants or senior clinicians. These include cognitive and dyslexia assessments, which can be done individually or combined as part of other specialist assessment pathways to understand specific learning difficulties or special educational needs.
In addition to cognitive and dyslexia assessments, we can offer specific assessments such as the DASH (Detailed Assessment of Speed of Handwriting) with our occupational therapist, and neuropsychological tests of memory and executive functioning with our clinical psychologists. These may be recommended as part of bespoke individualised assessment pathways to fully understand and support educational difficulties.
Conditions we assess
Dyslexia
Specialist assessment for difficulties with reading, writing and spelling – screening or full assessment.
Cognitive and Learning Disability
For understanding cognitive strengths and difficulties, and assessment of intellectual or learning disability.
What is the outcome?
All of our assessments include a feedback appointment with either the practitioner undertaking the assessment component or with the consultant or senior clinician providing overview of the assessment pathway. Recognising and understanding educational difficulties and special educational needs is important for providing appropriate support, adaptations and interventions. A full written report with recommendations is provided.
How much does it cost?
Costs depend on which specific assessments are recommended. Our assessment pathways may be adapted or combined to provide bespoke pathways according to individual needs, and a written quotation is always provided and agreed before proceeding. For specific pricing, see the individual assessment pages, or our costs explained.
Education Support Adviser
EPIC also has an Education Support Adviser who can provide a bridging support package – helping to communicate the findings and recommendations from our assessments through meetings with schools and colleges, and advising on adaptations and supportive strategies. They can also offer individual one-to-one tutoring support.
See our support packages for more.
Frequently Asked Questions
These terms overlap and are often used interchangeably, but they describe different things. A learning difficulty – such as dyslexia or another specific learning difficulty (SpLD) – affects a particular area of learning, while general ability is usually unaffected. A learning disability means a broader, reduced ability to learn and to manage everyday tasks, present from early in life. SEN (special educational needs) is a wider, education-focused term for any child who needs extra support to learn, and can include either of the above. We use ‘educational difficulties’ as the umbrella for all of these. Our assessment helps identify which applies and what support would help.
A thorough assessment of need is a key part of accessing EHCP-level support under the proposed 2026 SEND reforms. Our assessments provide the detailed evidence schools, colleges and local authorities use when considering targeted, targeted plus or specialist (EHCP) support.
Yes. Cognitive assessment is a standard part of most of our assessment pathways, and is often included alongside autism or ADHD assessment. Where it’s part of a combined pathway, the cost reflects that rather than charging separately.
Yes. Our Education Support Adviser provides bridging support – helping translate assessment findings into practical adjustments in school or college – and our specialist dyslexia teacher offers one-to-one tutoring. See support packages.
Every assessment includes a feedback appointment with the consultant, senior clinician or specialist who carried out the assessment, to discuss the findings. You’ll also receive a full written report with personalised recommendations for support, adaptations and interventions.
Related Services
- Initial Assessments – the consultant-led first appointment that all our assessment pathways begin with
- Neurodevelopmental Assessment – autism, ADHD, dyspraxia, DLD and more
- Support Packages – including education bridging support and tutoring
- Costs Explained – what’s included in our pricing and why