Schools and parents often ask us about our relationship with the British Dyslexia Association (BDA). It’s a fair question, and we want to answer it carefully, in the BDA’s own words.

The short version

• Talamo was selected through the BDA’s two-stage tender process, which began in December 2025.

• Our Cognitive & Dyslexia screener met the BDA’s requirements.

• Talamo is signposted by the BDA: the BDA considers Talamo a suitable screening tool for children aged 10⁠–⁠16.

That’s the whole of it, and we won’t describe it as anything more. When we talk about the BDA, we stick to the words the BDA itself uses.

What the BDA did

The BDA ran a formal, two-stage tender to review dyslexia screening tools. It published a document explaining its review process, which says the screening tools from the successful providers met its requirements and that it will signpost to them. You can read it on the BDA’s website: Further information on our review process for screeners.

The BDA’s dyslexia screening page explains that it has reviewed a range of screening tools, and that it considers Talamo suitable for children aged 10⁠–⁠16. For younger children, the BDA signposts a different screener, Nessy, for ages 5⁠–⁠9. The BDA’s screening page has carried this information since June 2026.

What it covers, and what it doesn’t

We want to be precise here, because it matters.

• It covers our Cognitive & Dyslexia assessment. That is the assessment the BDA reviewed.

• It covers children aged 10⁠–⁠16. Our Cognitive & Dyslexia assessment is standardised for ages 7 to 16, but the BDA’s view applies to ages 10⁠–⁠16 only. It doesn’t extend to pupils aged 7⁠–⁠9.

• It doesn’t cover our other assessments. The BDA’s view does not apply to our Executive Function or Maths & Dyscalculia assessments.

Screening, not diagnosis

Talamo is a screening tool. A screener helps schools and families spot pupils whose profile is consistent with dyslexia, so they can act sooner. It is not a diagnosis.

Results should always be read alongside what teachers know about the pupil, their classwork and attainment. Where a screener suggests a pupil may need more, a specialist assessment is what can confirm a diagnosis and open the door to formal support. Our guide to the role of screening, and when to bring in a specialist explains this in more detail.

Parliament and the podcast

Two other things you may have seen:

The APPG for Dyslexia. On 9 September 2025, I spoke at the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Dyslexia’s meeting on early identification and screening, chaired by Juliet Campbell MP. I made the case for universal screening, and for identification that is accessible and affordable. You can read more in Talamo in Parliament: speaking at the APPG for Dyslexia.

Talking Dyslexia. I co-host the Talking Dyslexia podcast with Ellen Broomé, CEO of the BDA. Each episode is an honest conversation about dyslexia: identification, support and lived experience. You can find every episode on our Talking Dyslexia podcast page, or listen on Spotify.

Why getting the wording right matters

Parents and schools make real decisions based on what they read. If we overstated our relationship with the BDA, we would make those decisions harder, not easier. So you’ll only see us use the phrases above, and we’ll always link to the BDA’s own pages so you can check for yourself.

If you’d like to know more about the assessment itself, you can explore Cognitive & Dyslexia or look through a sample report. And if you have a question about any of this, please ask us. We’re happy to explain.