Associate Member of the British Dyslexia Association - AMBDA
What is AMBDA?
Associate Member of the British Dyslexia Association (AMBDA) indicates a high standard of professional competence in both diagnostic assessment and teaching.
AMBDA is 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 the 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.
AMBDA holders are expected to commit to continuing professional development, keeping abreast of current thinking and legislation in dyslexia and related SpLDs and submit a portfolio to the BDA for verification every three years, on the anniversary of gaining AMBDA.
AMBDA holders receive these following benefits:
CPD verified every three years on the anniversary of membership
BDA Dyslexia Contact magazine
Discount on a BDA conference
Discount on BDA eLearning training
Professional Indemnity Insurance at members' rate
Eligible to join the BDA Tutor List (online) - you will need to add your details
Members' rate for online access to the Dyslexia Journal published 4 times a year
BDA e-newsletter
Invitation to the BDA AGM
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 SASC website - within 3 years of successfully completing their course
To apply for AMBDA
- Visit the Professional membership page and start your application
- Upload your signed tutor form for AMBDA ; AMBDA FE-HE ; AMBDA Dyscalculia or AMBDA Dyscalculia FE-HE
- Read and agree to adhere to the BDA Code of Ethics
- Pay the annual £70 membership fee by direct debit
AMBDA Courses
* courses marked with an asterisk also offer AMBDA FE/HE (Further and Higher Education) specialism
To maintain AMBDA
To maintain AMBDA you should submit a CPD Log every 3 years to evidence your continued commitment to professional excellence. See Continuing Professional Development page.