Multisensory Reading Clinic

THE TRUTH ABOUT DYSLEXIA Assessment: hOW DO WE TEST THE INDIVIDUAL FOR DYSLEXIA?

 

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Dyslexia means dys – difficulty; lex – words, ia - abnormal condition = difficulty with words! Therefore testing for dyslexia in all ages from six years old to 13 years old and 11 months is all about words of the language you wish to evaluate, and it involves the way the student expresses himself in writing, reading, and speaking.

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 Dyslexia testing in writing and reading is based on the systems of the language such as the logographic system of the Chinese language or the alphabetic system of the English language because the student needs to match the spoken words into the print they represent. But they all share the same clues of dyslexia with the student’s processing speed, the manner he grasps the pen or pencil, as well as the spacing, execution, and legibility of his handwriting.

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 For the English language that has an alphabetic principle with sounds as its elemental level, how the student forms the letters of the alphabet, matches the sounds either with pictures or words they represent and connects the sounds to form words will also give the assessor the clues of the language problems.

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Conveying the student’s messages and ideas into spoken words and in print, are also part of the clues of dyslexia that is very apparent during the testing, in addition to other related symptoms such as problems with the direction of left and right, retaining attention and impulsivity.

 

The formal evaluation of dyslexia starts at the age of six because this is the age where the student starts schooling and learning to read, as well most of the standardized reading assessment also starts at the age of six.  It also ends at the age of 13 years old and 11 months because generally when the student reaches this age, he should be able to read and spell well and most of the standardized evaluations with reading, spelling and comprehension also end at this age bracket.

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 The assessments also involve the standardized and inhouse of the student's decoding, receptive, and writing skills, and the results of the tests can identify the signs and symptoms of dyslexia, and along with the assessments, appropriate solutions should also be recommended.

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Finally, although the standardized evaluation begins when the child has started schooling, the early signs of dyslexia are apparent as early as 15 months old such as delay in speaking, persistent baby talk and difficulties with balancing.

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Be your child's ADVOCATE!