Questions  About Dyslexia Tests?
Here are Some Resources.

How do I get my child tested for dyslexia?

The LD Coach™ website provides 2 screening tests you can use to evaluate your child’s learning strengths and weaknesses, and whether The Learning to Read Program  will help him: “Am I Dyslexic” and “Reading Tests."

An Educational psychologist in your school district can give you or your child tests for dyslexia. Check with your school district for testing your child.

What tests are there for dyslexia?

Since dyslexia is a style of learning and not a physical condition, there is no definitive test for dyslexia. The presence of characteristic behaviors and symptoms can be used to suggest that a child is dyslexic – see the article “ What Causes the Learning Problems of Dyslexia". Eye sight and hearing can be evaluated by a physician. When there is a poor response to all remedial work, and diet, eye sight and sound have been ruled out as major barriers to success, then it is time to consider having your child tested.

For information on how to understand tests given and what they may indicate follow this link:    

http://www.wrightslaw.com/advoc/articles/tests_measurements.html .   

Read the article “Understanding Tests and Measurements, for the Parent and Advocate.”

How old must my child be to be tested for dyslexia?

Seven (7) years of age is the youngest age to test a child for dyslexia. At this time, the child is developing his ability to think abstractly. Abstract thinking skills are necessary for a child to learn to understand and use written characters and words. It is at this time that a predominantly Gestalt thinking child has difficulty in school with understanding symbols – typically, written characters, numbers, punctuation marks.

Prior to this time, a child’s brain function is capable largely of Gestalt thinking that results from multi-sensory experiences. A young child needs lots of time working with 3-dimensional, sensory learning situations – story telling, creative play, multi-sensory puzzles (e.g., puzzles that are solved by working with color patterns and shapes).  Young children learn from what they feel, hear, see, taste and smell.