Hi all,
Can I ask if anyone is involved as an OHA in their business in the assessment of dyslexia. My opinion is that assessment of dyslexia is not a OH role and OH should not be getting heavily involved in assessment of individual cases unless there are health issues.
If you are willing to share please can you let me know what process is in place for your establishment on assessing dyslexia and if the free online tool is used or if all cases are sent for formal definitive diagnosis opinion accordingly.
Please note I don’t require any information on the condition but if anyone wants a bit of background info please see below:
In the UK estimates of prevalence vary according to the definition of dyslexia and the way in which it is assessed. The British Dyslexia Association suggest that 4% of the population will be severely dyslexic (requiring support at school and beyond) and a further 6% may have mild or moderate dyslexia.
It is fairly straight forward when a new start declares dyslexia on start due to a definitive diagnosis and their individual issues are easily addressed / accommodated by simple measures to enable them to undertake the job for which they are employed.
Adaptations in the workplace are normally fairly straight forwards and do not impose complicated solutions.
If there are performance issues with an employee who offers a new declaration of dyslexia with no prior evidence the business needs to decide;
If they are going to be responsible for the costs of full assessment or if they are happy to use free on line assessment tools that provide an indication of probable dyslexia.
Alternatively a decision on whether the employee is responsible for baring any costs of assessment.
Janet Patterson RGN, RSCPHN – OH, BSc (Hons) MMEDSCI. CMIOSH
OHA & Greggs Group OH Co-ordinator
Landline 0191 215 1150 Ext 34574
Mobile 07764 443498
Please be advised that all e-mail communication relevant to assisting in the management of the OH process will be entered into the individual's OH file. This may therefore be disclosed to the client under the Data Protection Act (1998).