How to become a dyslexia assessor
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Associate Membership of the British Dyslexia Association (AMBDA)
What is AMBDA?
Associate Membership of the British Dyslexia Association (AMBDA) indicates a high standard of professional competence in both diagnostic assessment and teaching. AMBDA is now the professional membership required for all those applying for and holding an Assessment Practising Certificate (APC) issued by the BDA. The Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ) approves holders of AMBDA to formally assess and make recommendations for exam access arrangements.
The Department of Education (DfE) has announced that a Diagnostic Assessment conducted at any age, which results in a diagnosis of dyslexia, will now be accepted as part of an application for Disabled Students’ Allowances (DSA). It is no longer necessary that a report is carried out post-16. A report will be accepted only if conducted and written by an assessor holding a valid Assessment Practising Certificate (APC), or by an HCPC-registered psychologist, at the time of the assessment.
As reports conducted at any age may be used for DSA purposes, it is recommended that all assessors should now hold an APC, so that no further diagnostic assessment will be required should the dyslexic individual wish to apply for DSA in the future.
You may still assess if you hold AMBDA and you do not hold an APC. However, you have a professional responsibility to alert parents/carers to the fact that your report will not be accepted as part of an application for DSA in the future. By agreeing to adhere to the Code of Ethics, you are acknowledging this responsibility.
| Face to Face Assessments If you are looking to carry out assessments at the current time, we need to refer you to the SASC guidance on their website. Assessors are recommended to send out their own risk assessment and follow all government guidelines in regards to safe practices. |
AMBDA holders will receive the following benefits:
- BDA Dyslexia Contact magazine 3 times a year
- Discount on BDA conferences
- Discount on BDA open training courses
- Professional Indemnity Insurance at members' rate through the Alan Boswell Group
- Eligible to join the BDA Tutor List
- Members' rate for the Dyslexia Journal published 4 times a year
- BDA e-newsletter 3 times a year
- Invitation to BDA AGM and Members' Day
Who can apply for AMBDA?
Applicants can apply for AMBDA if they have successfully completed a postgraduate (Level 7) AMBDA accredited course or equivalent - see course list on the SpLD Assessment Standards Committee (SASC) website.
To apply for AMBDA
- Visit the AMBDA membership page and start your application
- Upload your signed AMBDA tutor form
- Read and adhere to the BDA Code of Ethics
- Pay the annual £70 membership fee
Please contact accreditation@bdadyslexia.org.uk
AMBDA Courses
* courses marked with an asterisk also offer AMBDA FE/HE (Further and Higher Education) specialism
Gateway Qualifications have applied for BDA accreditation for ATS/APS and AMBDA programmes, confirmation of this accreditation will be published shortly.
Course provider | More information |
Miles Dyslexia Centre, Bangor University of Wales | Advanced Certificate of Further Professional Studies in SpLD (Dyslexia) AMBDA * |
Bath Spa University | |
University of Birmingham (eLearning) | |
British Dyslexia Association (BDA) (blended learning) | |
Canterbury Christ Church University | Specialist Assessment for a Specific Learning Difficulty: Dyslexia * |
University of Chester | |
Dyslexia Action (Middlesex University) (blended learning) | Level 7 Professional Diploma in Dyslexia and Literacy * Level 7 Professional Certificate in Assessment Practice for Dyslexia and Literacy * |
Edge Hill University | |
| Helen Arkell Dyslexia Charity | Level 7 Diploma Teaching and Assessing Learners with Dyslexia/Specific Learning Difficulties |
Leicester City/Derby University | Teaching and Assessing Learners with Specific Learning Difficulties (Dyslexia); contact SENDSS@leicester.gov.uk for further information |
| Liverpool Hope University | Post Graduate Certificate in Specific Learning Difficulties (Dyslexia) |
| University College London, Institute of Education | Post Graduate Diploma Specific Learning Difficulties (Dyslexia) with AMBDA |
| Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU) | Post Graduate Diploma Specific Learning Difficulties |
University of South Wales | |
Oxford Brookes University | Postgraduate Certificate Education - Working with Children with Literacy Difficulties |
Stranmillis University College, Belfast (eLearning) | Master of Education (MEd) Teaching Children with Specific Literacy Difficulties Postgraduate Diploma in Education: Individual Specialist Assessment, SEN and Access Arrangements |
Wrexham Glyndŵr University |
To renew your AMBDA
AMBDA is now an annual membership and we ask that you submit a CPD Log every three years to evidence your continued commitment to professional excellence. See Continuing Professional Development page.
Visit our Training pages to find out more about the CPD courses we offer.