17 Apr Dyslexia Testing in Abu Dhabi
Dyslexia Testing in Abu Dhabi for International & Private School Students
Unlocking Learning Potential with Clear, Globally Recognised Dyslexia Testing in Abu Dhabi
In a region defined by its ambition, innovation, and internationalism, it’s easy to assume that the educational systems in Abu Dhabi are already fully equipped to recognise and support every type of learner. But for thousands of children in Abu Dhabis private and international schools, reading and writing remain daily battles—despite intelligence, effort, and engagement.
Dyslexia is often the reason. And far too often, it’s missed.
At Global Education Testing Abu Dhabi, we provide private dyslexia testing for students who are bright, capable, and struggling—often quietly and without explanation. Our work helps families see clearly what’s going on and gives schools the insight they need to support each learner with confidence and care.
The Quiet Struggle: How Dyslexia Hides in Plain Sight
Abu Dhabi’s international schools are filled with high-achieving students from diverse backgrounds. It’s a melting pot of languages, cultures, and academic expectations. But this same richness often obscures the signs of dyslexia.
Teachers may assume a child’s reading delay is due to English being a second or third language. Parents might believe a child who resists writing is just “not academic.” And schools in Abu Dhabi—especially those without trained learning support teams—often miss the early warning signs entirely.
What’s rarely acknowledged is this: many children with dyslexia are intelligent and verbally articulate, able to mask their difficulties for years. Until, one day, they can’t.
By that time, the child may already be convinced they’re not good enough.
Why So Many Students Are Missing Out on the Support They Deserve
Abu Dhabi’s international schools are among the most competitive in the world—yet thousands of students are quietly slipping through the cracks every year.
- They’re intelligent.
- They’re articulate.
- And they’re struggling.
Not because they aren’t trying. But because they have undiagnosed dyslexia. And without a proper diagnosis, they’re being denied access to the extra time, assistive technology, and exam accommodations that could change everything.
What Dyslexia Looks Like in Abu Dhabi’s International Classrooms
We’re often called in after a pattern begins to emerge:
- A student who thrives in oral presentations but underperforms on written exams
- A child who dreads reading aloud, or who guesses words instead of decoding them
- Spelling that fluctuates wildly, even within a single sentence
- Homework that ends in frustration, avoidance, or tears
- Teachers puzzled by why such a “bright child” is falling behind in literacy
Parents in Abu Dhabi tell us: “They’re so smart—why can’t they just get it down on paper?”
The answer is neurological. Dyslexia is not a lack of intelligence or effort—it’s a different way of processing language. And it can’t be resolved by “trying harder.”
International research estimates that 10–15% of the global population is dyslexic. That means in a classroom of 20 students, 2 to 3 of them are likely affected.
Now consider this:
Abu Dhabi has hundreds of private schools, many with international curricula. Multiply that by class size, and the numbers are staggering.
📊 Tens of thousands of students in Abu Dhabi may be living with undiagnosed dyslexia.
- Most are high-functioning.
- Most are never flagged.
- And most are denied the exam support they legally qualify for, simply because their school doesn’t offer comprehensive Dyslexia testing in Abu Dhabi—or because their parents were told to “wait and see.”
Why Getting a Diagnosis of Dyslexia in Abu Dhabi Isn’t Always Straightforward
Abu Dhabi offers many pathways for educational support—but not all are created equal.
Some schools have SEN departments. Others rely on general counsellors. A few may suggest speech therapy or tutoring. But very few offer comprehensive psychoeducational assessments conducted by licensed psychologists trained in dyslexia diagnosis.
Even when a local assessment is conducted, it often falls short of international standards. Families come to us when they realise that:
- The report didn’t include cognitive testing
- The psychologist wasn’t licensed outside the UAE
- The dyslexia diagnosis isn’t accepted by IB, Cambridge, or UK/US universities
- They’ve been told to “wait and see”—again
In Abu Dhabi’s competitive academic environment, “wait and see” is not a strategy. It’s a delay—and for many children, a harmful one.
Book Dyslexia Testing in Abu Dhabi & Avoid the Consequences of Missed Diagnosis
Without formal recognition of their learning profile, students in Abu Dhabi face:
- Exhaustion from reading and writing tasks
- Loss of confidence and motivation
- Declining performance despite effort
- Anxiety and school avoidance
- And most crucially: no eligibility for extra time in exams
Let’s be clear: you cannot get access arrangements without documentation.
That means:
- No extra time for iGCSEs, A Levels, or IB
- No typing allowance or reader support
- No exam board recognition
- No assistance in university applications
Parents in Abu Dhabi often come to us too late—when their child has already sat an exam and struggled unnecessarily, simply because no one conducted a proper Dyslexia assessment.
Why Schools in Abu Dhabi Often Don’t Act on Dyslexia
In many Abu Dhabi schools, teachers suspect something is going on. But that’s where it ends. School counsellors may not be trained to spot or assess dyslexia. In-house screenings are rarely comprehensive. Some schools actively avoid flagging students for formal testing—because once diagnosed, they are legally required to provide accommodations.
❌ No diagnosis = No obligation
And so, the system quietly fails those who need help most.
Global Education Dyslexia Testing in Abu Dhabi: Clarity Without Compromise
Our dyslexia assessments in Abu Dhabi are not tick-box exercises. They are deep, evidence-based investigations into how your child thinks, learns, and communicates—and what can be done to support them.
Every assessment in Abu Dhabi is conducted by a licensed educational psychologist from the UK, Australia, USA, Canada, or Ireland. These are professionals who meet the international standards required for school accommodations and university recognition worldwide.
We don’t just test. We understand. And we Diagnose.
Our evaluations combine:
- Cognitive profiling (IQ, working memory, processing speed)
- Academic achievement testing (reading, writing, spelling, comprehension)
- Phonological awareness and rapid naming — core dyslexia markers
- Executive functioning and attention screens — to rule in or out coexisting conditions like ADHD
- Emotional and behavioural observations — because dyslexia rarely exists in isolation
The result is a complete picture. One that explains not only what your child struggles with, but why—and what can be done next.
Real Impact, Real Recognition
Our assessments are accepted by:
- IB (International Baccalaureate)
- Cambridge International / Edexcel
- UK JCQ Access Arrangements
- SAT, ACT, AP boards
- UCAS and US college disability offices
- Top universities including Oxford, Cambridge, Harvard, MIT, and more
This matters—not only for exam accommodations but for university applications, visa support, and long-term academic planning. In a region where students move across borders frequently, a dyslexia diagnosis must be portable, valid, and permanent. That’s exactly what we provide.
Why Local Dyslexia Testing in Abu Dhabi Often Falls Short
In Abu Dhabi, many families begin their journey with a school counsellor or a locally based psychologist. While well-intentioned, these pathways frequently fall short of international documentation standards—especially when it comes to securing accommodations for global exam boards or university applications.
Common issues include the absence of formal cognitive testing (relying solely on observational insights), diagnoses made without proper academic assessment, or reports that lack the scoring systems aligned with international benchmarks. Many such evaluations, while accepted locally within the UAE, are not recognised by overseas schools, universities, or exam boards. This often leads to families having to redo the entire assessment process at significant emotional and financial cost when their child applies abroad.
Internationally Recognised Qualifications Matter
All psychologists at Global Education Testing Abu Dhabi are licensed through internationally recognised professional health bodies. These include:
- The Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) in the UK
- The Psychology Board of Australia (PsyBA)
- The College of Psychologists of Ontario, BC, or Alberta in Canada
- The National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) in the USA
- And the Psychological Society of Ireland (PSI) and CORU in Ireland
Because of these affiliations, our assessments are not only valid and defensible, but also globally portable. Reports issued by our team are accepted by major international bodies such as:
- IB (International Baccalaureate)
- Cambridge International and Edexcel
- SAT, ACT, and Advanced Placement (AP) Boards
- UCAS disability accommodations (UK universities)
- Common App disability declarations (US colleges)
In short, our Dyslexia testing and comprehensive educational psychology assessments in the United Arab Emirates don’t just provide answers—it opens doors.
The Cost of Waiting
Every term that passes in Abu Dhabi without a diagnosis is a missed opportunity.
Early identification leads to:
- Better literacy outcomes
- Stronger academic self-esteem
- Fewer behavioural referrals
- And dramatically improved long-term trajectories
But many families delay testing until Year 10, 11, or even IB Year 1—when it’s almost too late to request accommodations.
By that point, students may have already internalised the idea that they’re “not smart enough.”
And that belief is far more damaging than dyslexia itself.
The Extra Time Gap: What Your Child Could Be Missing
Let’s talk numbers. Here’s what students in Abu Dhabi with diagnosed dyslexia are eligible for:
- At least 25% extra time in all major exam boards (Cambridge, Edexcel, IB, SAT, ACT)
- Permission to type rather than write by hand
- Stop-the-clock breaks for fatigue
- Spelling and grammar exemptions in essays
- Access to a quiet room or reader/scribe support
Without a diagnosis from a qualified educational psychologist, none of this is available—no matter how clearly your child struggles.
Global Education Testing Abu Dhabi has already supported hundreds of expat families across Abu Dhabi, providing internationally recognised assessments and securing exam accommodations for students at many of the regions leading international schools.
Our team has worked closely with families from diverse backgrounds—helping students receive the clarity, recognition, and support they need to thrive both academically and emotionally. Whether it’s identifying dyslexia, diagnosing ADHD, or unlocking extra time for high-stakes exams, we’ve been proud to stand alongside families every step of the way.
- Swiss International Scientific School Dubai (SISD)
- Repton School Abu Dhabi
- Dwight School Dubai
- Beaconhouse Private School, Al Ain
- Jumeirah English Speaking School (JESS)
- Lincoln International Academy, Sharjah
- Brighton College Abu Dhabi
- Universal American School, Dubai (UAS)
- Cranleigh Abu Dhabi
- Al Mawakeb School, Dubai
- Raha International School, Abu Dhabi (RIS)
- Horizon International School
- Canadian International School, Sharjah
- Dubai College
- GEMS World Academy Dubai
- International School of London, Dubai (ISL)
- Kings’ School Al Barsha
- North London Collegiate School Abu Dhabi (NLCS Abu Dhabi)
- Emirates International School (EIS)
- North London Collegiate School Dubai (NLCS Dubai)
- Delhi Private School, Dubai
- Repton School Dubai
- Dubai International Academy (DIA)
- American School of Dubai (ASD)
- American Community School of Abu Dhabi (ACSA)
- Hartland International School
- Gems Modern Academy, Sharjah
- Sharjah English School
- Uptown International School
Global Education Testing has a strong presence across Abu Dhabi, providing expert educational and psychological assessments for students who require additional support in school.
Our assessments provide clear, internationally recognized diagnosis documentation that helps students secure exam accommodations and tailored learning plans, in line with UAEs E33 Educational Vision.
Alexander Bentley-Sutherland is the CEO of Global Education Testing, the leading provider of Learning Development Testing tailored specifically for the International and Private School community worldwide.