We offer both a dyslexia screening and comprehensive dyslexia testing for adults and children. This post provides an overview of the typical steps involved in our services. Please do not hesitate to reach out or schedule a consultation if you feel that a dyslexia screening or full evaluation may be helpful to you or a loved one.
What is Dyslexia?
Dyslexia is a specific learning disability that affects a person’s ability to read, spell, write, and sometimes speak. It is a neurological condition often characterized by difficulties with accurate and fluent word recognition and poor spelling and decoding abilities. These difficulties typically result from a deficit in the phonological component of language, which is often unexpected in relation to other cognitive abilities and the provision of effective classroom instruction.
Key Characteristics of Dyslexia
- Difficulty in Reading: Problems with reading accuracy, fluency, and comprehension.
- Spelling Problems: Frequent spelling errors and difficulty with learning to spell.
- Writing Challenges: Issues with writing, including poor handwriting and problems with organizing written work.
- Phonological Processing: Trouble with processing language sounds, which affects the ability to decode new words.
Common Signs in Children
- Delayed speech development compared to peers.
- Difficulty in learning the alphabet, nursery rhymes, or simple songs.
- Difficulty in recognizing and manipulating sounds in spoken language.
- Persistent problems with spelling and writing.
- Avoidance of reading and writing tasks.
Common Signs in Adults
- Difficulty in conversation despite solid intelligence.
- Difficulty with specific language-based tasks at work.
- Persistent problems with spelling and writing.
- Avoidance of reading and writing tasks at work or home.
Causes of Dyslexia
The exact cause of dyslexia is not fully understood, but it is believed to involve genetic factors. It often runs in families, suggesting a hereditary component. It is also associated with differences in brain structure and function.
Why Dyslexia Testing helps
Dyslexia testing narrows down a person’s specific challenges, including reading, language, and cognitive skills. Dyslexia testing also helps frame early intervention, and specialized educational approaches can help children manage and overcome many of the challenges associated with the diagnosis. Techniques include phonics-based reading programs, multisensory instruction, and accommodations such as extra time on tests or using audiobooks.
A dyslexia screening or full evaluation testing for adults helps design appropriate workplace accommodations and self-help techniques that may help.
Understanding and support from teachers, bosses, and peers are crucial in helping dyslexic individuals achieve their full potential.
Dyslexia Testing for Children
Most commonly, our dyslexia testing is performed on children between pre-K and high school. The steps involved include:
Dyslexia Testing Initial Screening
This step gathers detailed information about the child’s developmental, medical, educational, and family history. We also collect feedback from parents and teachers about the child’s reading and learning behavior. We use standardized questionnaires to determine whether a child has shown signs of having this diagnosis or another specific learning disability. This dyslexia screening provides information that helps us choose an appropriate testing battery.
Dyslexia Tests for Children
If a dyslexia screening is positive, we usually start with cognitive testing using the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC). Assessing intellectual abilities using the WISC or another measure helps us understand the child’s strengths and weaknesses in various cognitive areas. Certain patterns on the subtests that make up the WISC can inform the likelihood the child has this specific learning disability.
We then evaluate academic achievement, often using a standardized test such as the Wechsler Individual Achievement Test (WIAT). This evaluation of reading, spelling, writing, and sometimes math skills can also help show where there may be specific challenges.
Finally, we do some specific tests, such as phonological processing tests and other language assessments. These tests measure specific skills, such as the child’s ability to recognize and manipulate sounds in words, a common area of difficulty for those with this diagnosis. Specific empirically-based tests can also identify this and other learning differences in children.
Interpretation of Results and Suggestions
We examine all the data collected in the first two steps and interpret the results. We look for significant discrepancies between the child’s cognitive abilities and academic performance, particularly in reading and writing. If a diagnosis is warranted or is likely, our detailed report provides recommendations for interventions, accommodations, and further support. We can also help you find a qualified professional to provide follow-up and advocacy.
Some of the interventions we may suggest as a result of dyslexia testing for children include:
- Multisensory Learning: Techniques that engage multiple senses (sight, sound, touch) to help reinforce learning. For example, tracing letters in sand while saying the sounds they make.
- Guided Reading: Small group instruction where the teacher provides tailored support while students read texts at their instructional level.
- Repeated Reading: Encouraging students to read the same text multiple times to improve fluency and confidence.
- Decodable Texts: Books that contain words that can be sounded out based on the phonics rules the student has learned, helping to reinforce phonics skills.
- Spelling Instruction: Explicit teaching of spelling rules, patterns, and strategies.
- Graphic Organizers: Tools to help students plan and organize their writing.
- Assistive Technology: Using tools like speech-to-text software and specialized dyslexia apps to support writing and spelling.
- Phonological Awareness Activities: Exercises that help students recognize and manipulate sounds in words, such as rhyming, segmenting, and blending sounds.
- Extended Time: Allowing extra time for reading and writing tasks.
- Alternative Assessments: Providing options like oral presentations or multiple-choice tests instead of written assignments.
We might also suggest therapy for building self-esteem and coping with the emotional challenges of dyslexia and peer support groups, which provide opportunities for students to connect with others with dyslexia and foster a sense of community and shared experience. We can also help with the IEP or 504 educational accommodations process
Dyslexia Testing for Adults 
There are some differences in our dyslexia testing for adults compared to the above. Dyslexia testing for adults is a more specific specialty area, and we make sure we provide the necessary steps, including:
Dyslexia Testing for Adults Initial Screening
We ask that you bring any relevant documents from your educational history, such as previous school reports, work samples, and previous assessment results. If possible, we ask that you gather information from caregivers and others who may have known about any challenges you had while in school. We want to gather as much detailed information as possible about your developmental, medical, and educational history. We also want to know if your family has any history of learning differences. This step often involves having you fill out an empirically-based dyslexia test questionnaire.
Dyslexia Tests for Adults
We assess your cognitive strengths and weaknesses using the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Test (WAIS) as a first step in dyslexia testing for adults. This test uses ten or more subtests to measure your specific abilities in various cognitive areas. Comparisons between these subtests will help us determine the likelihood that you have a specific learning disability.
Next, we do academic achievement tests that evaluate your reading, spelling, and writing skills. Even if you have been out of formal learning for some time, this testing can be compared to your WAIS results to help us determine whether a specific learning disability is likely.
Finally, based on the above results, we will give you specific psychological tests explicitly designed for dyslexia testing for adults. These tests may measure phonological processing, understanding, and use of spoken language, as well as other skills that can be affected by dyslexia.
Interpretation of Results and Suggestions
A specialist in dyslexia testing for adults interprets the results to determine if some significant discrepancies and patterns suggest a likelihood of dyslexia or another specific learning disorder. Then, a psychological testing report recommends specific interventions, accommodations, self-help techniques, and treatment possibilities. The focus is often on the workplace. We can also help you find a qualified psychologist or social worker with experience diagnosing and treating this diagnosis.
Some of the interventions we may suggest as a result of dyslexia testing for adults include:
- Adult Literacy Programs: Many communities offer adult education programs that provide reading, writing, and spelling instruction. These programs often use structured literacy approaches similar to those used with children but tailored for adult learners.\
- Assistive Technology such as text-to-speech software, which converts written text into spoken words, helping with reading comprehension; speech-to-text software, which allows users to speak into a microphone and have their words converted into text, aiding in writing tasks; and smartphone apps designed to assist with reading, writing, and organization, such as dyslexia-friendly fonts, reading guides, and spell checkers.
- Workplace Accommodations include job coaching to help adults with dyslexia develop strategies for managing work tasks and improving job performance, reasonable accommodations such as extended time for tasks, written instructions, and the use of technology aids and assistive tools such as planners, reminder apps, and project management software to keep track of tasks and deadlines.
- Skill Development includes programs to improve skills like time management, organization, and task prioritization and classes or workshops focusing on writing skills, from basic grammar and spelling to advanced writing techniques.
We might also suggest joining groups for adults diagnosed, which can provide emotional support, share strategies, and create a sense of community. We might also encourage self-advocacy, which involves learning to advocate for oneself in educational and professional settings to ensure necessary supports and accommodations are in place. This is in addition to therapy that can address self-esteem issues, anxiety, and other emotional challenges associated with dyslexia. Techniques such as mindfulness, meditation, and relaxation exercises can help manage stress related to challenges.
By utilizing these interventions, adults can improve their literacy skills, enhance their professional performance, and better manage daily tasks. Early intervention and continuous support can significantly improve outcomes and quality of life for dyslexic adults. Our dyslexia testing for adults is a perfect first step.
Dyslexia Screening Services
The above processes are comprehensive assessments, but we offer shorter and less expensive dyslexia screening services.
How to Choose a Service
Dyslexia screening can be helpful as an initial step to ensure that a more formal assessment is worthwhile. It can also be beneficial if you have had a prior full assessment but now want to determine if your symptoms have improved or worsened. Dyslexia screening services are useful if the problem runs in your family and you want to see whether you may have it, even if your symptoms are mild. Finally, dyslexia testing may help you get SAT accommodations.
Dyslexia Testing for Children Example
Here is a fictitious example of dyslexia testing we might do in our practice. It illustrates the key elements typically observed and assessed during evaluation.
Dyslexia Testing Background
Alex is a 10-year-old student in the fifth grade who has been struggling with reading and writing skills since early elementary school. Despite having higher-than-average intelligence and motivation, he consistently scores below grade level in reading comprehension and written assignments. His parents and teachers have noted that he has good verbal skills and can express his thoughts clearly when speaking. However, his performance drops significantly on reading and written tasks. He frequently avoids reading out loud in class and often appears frustrated with schoolwork. A dyslexia screening he did at his school suggested that further testing was warranted.
Concerns Reported by Parents and Teachers
- Difficulty with sounding out words when reading.
- Consistent misspelling and omission of letters in writing.
- Slow and labor-intensive reading pace.
- Tendency to confuse similar-looking letters (e.g., “b” and “d”) and words (e.g., “was” and “saw”).
- Lower self-esteem related to school and avoidance of reading-related activities.
Dyslexia Testing Assessment Battery
- Phonological Awareness Assessment
We gave Alex tests measuring his ability to recognize and manipulate sounds in words, such as phoneme segmentation (breaking words into sounds) and phoneme blending (putting sounds together to make a word). - Rapid Automatized Naming (RAN)
This test measured Alex’s ability to name letters, numbers, and objects quickly. Dyslexic individuals often show delays in this skill, reflecting difficulties in quickly accessing and retrieving information from memory. - Decoding and Word Recognition Tests
We asked Alex to read a list of words and non-words (to assess decoding). His scores were below average, indicating difficulty in recognizing common words by sight and sounding out unfamiliar words. - Reading Fluency and Comprehension Tests
Timed reading passages measured Alex’s reading fluency. His reading was noticeably slower than expected for his age, and he demonstrated poor comprehension on follow-up questions, especially with more complex sentences. - Spelling and Written Expression
We noted that Alex’s written assignments showed frequent misspellings, omitted letters, and inconsistent capitalization and punctuation. His spelling errors were mostly phonetic, such as spelling “cat” as “kat” or “place” as “plas.” - Cognitive and Visual Processing Tests
Cognitive assessments, including working memory and processing speed tasks, were within the high average range. Visual processing tests ruled out any visual impairment or tracking issues.
Dyslexia Testing Findings and Recommendations
Our assessments indicated that Alex struggles primarily with phonological processing, word recognition, and reading fluency. These challenges align closely with a profile consistent with developmental dyslexia.
Recommendations:
- Reading Intervention
Structured literacy interventions focusing on phonological awareness, phonics, and guided reading practice. - Classroom Accommodations
- Extra time on reading and writing tasks.
- Access to audiobooks and reading software.
- Alternative methods for demonstrating comprehension (e.g., verbal summaries).
- Self-Esteem and Confidence Building
Positive reinforcement strategies and counseling to address frustration with schoolwork and self-esteem.
This case highlights the multi-faceted approach in dyslexia testing, combining academic performance with specific cognitive and linguistic assessments to develop a tailored support plan for the student.
Dyslexia Testing for Adults Case Example
Here is an example of dyslexia testing for adults, illustrating the approach and assessments often used to identify dyslexia in later life.
Background:
Sarah is a 32-year-old marketing professional who has struggled with reading and writing tasks throughout her life. She recently returned to graduate school and has become increasingly aware of her challenges with written assignments, reading comprehension, and even some memory tasks. She reports a history of struggling with spelling, frequently re-reading texts to understand them, and feeling overwhelmed by assignments requiring extensive reading. Sarah also mentions that she often feels self-conscious about writing professional emails and spends significant time reviewing them for errors. She came to us for dyslexia testing for adults after a dyslexia screening she took online.
Concerns Reported
- Persistent difficulty with spelling and writing tasks.
- Slow reading speed and frequent re-reading for comprehension.
- Avoidance of reading for pleasure due to frustration.
- Issues with remembering detailed information from reading material.
- Lower confidence in professional writing tasks, leading to stress.
- She took an online dyslexia screening and it was positive for the diagnosis
Dyslexia Assessment Battery
- Adult Phonological Awareness and Decoding Skills
We gave Sarah tests that measured Sarah’s phonological awareness, focusing on her ability to recognize and manipulate sounds in words. She also completed a decoding test with non-words to assess her ability to sound out unfamiliar words, a core skill in dyslexia screening. - Reading Rate and Fluency
Sarah’s reading fluency was assessed using timed reading passages. Her reading pace was slower than the average for adults in her education level, indicating a persistent challenge with reading speed. - Reading Comprehension and Retention
Reading comprehension assessments evaluated Sarah’s ability to understand and retain written information. Although her comprehension was satisfactory when reading shorter passages, it declined on longer, more complex texts. She also struggled to retain details, especially without taking notes or re-reading. - Spelling and Written Expression
Sarah’s written samples that she provided us showed frequent spelling errors, particularly with homophones (e.g., “their” vs. “there”) and irregular words (e.g., “receipt” as “receit”). Her writing also had issues with grammar and punctuation consistency, often requiring multiple revisions. - Rapid Automatized Naming (RAN)
Sarah completed a Rapid Automatized Naming test to assess her ability to quickly name familiar objects, colors, letters, and numbers. She performed slower than expected, indicating issues with automatic word retrieval and processing speed. - Working Memory Tests and Processing Speed Assessments
Cognitive assessments were administered to evaluate Sarah’s working memory and processing speed. Her working memory was slightly below average, and she reported frequent challenges with recalling information, particularly verbal instructions and written details.
Dyslexia Testing for Adults Findings and Recommendations
Sarah’s profile showed significant phonological awareness, reading fluency, and spelling challenges, aligning with a dyslexia diagnosis. While her comprehension was generally adequate for short texts, her difficulty with processing speed, reading rate, and retention on longer texts indicated a need for intervention.
Recommendations:
- Professional Support and Workplace Accommodations
- Access to text-to-speech software and audiobooks for academic and professional reading tasks.
- Speech-to-text software for written tasks and note-taking.
- Additional time for assignments involving extensive reading or writing.
- Structured Literacy Intervention
- A dyslexia specialist can help Sarah with phonics, spelling, and word recognition strategies.
- Sarah should practice with sight words and phoneme segmentation to improve reading fluency.
- Memory and Organizational Strategies
- We gave Sarah techniques to improve information retention, such as summarizing text sections and using mnemonic devices.
- We also gave her tools to organize tasks and deadlines, helping to manage her workload without overwhelming her.
- Confidence-Building Measures
- We suggested self-advocacy training with a clinical psychologist for Sarah to feel comfortable discussing her needs in her workplace and academic settings.
- Strategies for managing dyslexia-related stress and boosting confidence in reading and writing tasks.
This fictional dyslexia testing for adults case illustrates how adult dyslexia assessments focus on literacy skills and cognitive processes like working memory and processing speed, which are crucial in supporting adults with dyslexia in their personal and professional lives.
Summary and Our Work
We offer dyslexia testing for adults and children to help you design a program of self-help, professional interventions, and accommodations at work or school if needed. It all starts with a free dyslexia screening. Don’t hesitate to contact us or schedule a free consultation for a dyslexia screening or comprehensive evaluation. We’d be happy to discuss whether an assessment is warranted and what you can expect from one.
