How to Test for Dyslexia

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1 Recognizing the Symptoms

2 Getting Assessed

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Co-authored by Devin Fisher, CCC-SLP and Megaera Lorenz, PhD

Last Updated: April 8, 2024 References

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Dyslexia is a common learning disability that makes it hard for your brain to connect letters and words with the sounds they make. Although dealing with dyslexia can be frustrating, you can still excel at school or work with the right support and training. If you think you or your child might have dyslexia, see your doctor. They can do tests to find out if dyslexia might be causing your learning difficulties.

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Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Recognizing the Symptoms

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1. 1
   Look for delayed speaking and reading skills in young children. Kids with dyslexia may be slower to start talking or learning the names of letters, numbers, and colors than their peers. They also have a hard time learning to read, write, and spell, and are often behind the expected skill level for their age or grade level in these areas. If you think your child might have dyslexia, ask their teacher how their skills compare to those of other kids their age.

   • Most kids are able to start reading and writing in kindergarten or first grade. If you’re feel that your child is struggling to make progress with those skills, talk to your pediatrician about getting them tested.
   • Some signs to look out for in preschool-aged kids include mispronouncing common words, struggling to name familiar objects, and having difficulty learning simple songs and rhymes.
   • Try not to worry! All kids learn at their own pace. And if your child is diagnosed with dyslexia, rest assured that there are lots of treatments and interventions available to help them become successful learners.
2. 2
   Check for problems with spelling in older children or adults. Spelling is tough for a lot of people. But it can be really difficult for people with dyslexia, because the brain has trouble connecting letters with speech sounds. If you or your child struggle with spelling even basic vocabulary words, then look into getting tested for dyslexia.

   • For example, someone with dyslexia might often confuse similar-looking letters (like “d” and “b”), mix up the order of letters in a word, or have trouble remembering which letters make which sounds.
   • Kids in the K-2nd grade age range (around 5-7) may have trouble learning the names of letters or remembering the sounds they make. They may also struggle to remember common spelling rules.
   • Older kids (3rd grade and up) may have difficulty spelling consistently, and may even spell the same word several different ways within the same writing assignment. Teens and tweens with dyslexia also have a hard time remembering common abbreviations.
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3. 3
   Watch out for difficulty with reading comprehension. People with dyslexia often spend so much time just trying to figure out individual words that they have trouble following the overall meaning of what’s on the page. Think about whether you struggle to understand things you just read. Or, if you’re concerned your child might have dyslexia, try having them read a simple passage and then asking them a few questions about it.

   • For example, you might have your child read a page from a picture book, then ask them questions like, “What was the bear looking for? What did he do when he heard people talking inside the tent?”
   • This may become more obvious in older kids and adults. For example, teens and tweens with dyslexia often have an easier time answering questions about text if someone reads it out loud to them.
4. 4
   Keep an eye out for writing challenges starting in elementary school. In addition to spelling problems, dyslexia can cause a variety of other difficulties with writing. These issues usually become more obvious in elementary school-aged children, since the same kinds of writing issues are more common in preschool-aged kids who are just starting to learn to write. Watch out for other writing issues, such as:

   • Writing letters or numbers backwards, especially after age 7 (letter reversals are normal in younger kids)
   • Difficulty writing down things that you can easily say out loud
   • Poor handwriting skills
   • Needing lots of extra time to complete writing tasks
   • Trouble copying out written words or phrases
   • Using an awkward or unusual pencil grip while writing
5. 5
   Listen for difficulties with pronunciation and speech. Dyslexia doesn’t just cause writing and reading problems. It can also make speaking more difficult. You might notice these issues more in preschool-aged kids than in older children or adults. Watch out for speaking problems, such as:

   • Often struggling to find the right word
   • Mixing up words that sound similar (like “expect” and “aspect”)
   • Trouble pronouncing long words correctly
   • Jumbling up syllables or word order
6. 6
   Check for trouble memorizing lists or sequences. If it’s a struggle to remember thing like phone numbers, short lists of words, or thing like song lyrics and nursery rhymes, then dyslexia might be the culprit! Think about whether you or your child ever had problems memorizing things that other people seem to remember with ease.

   • For instance, a preschool or kindergarten-aged child might have a hard time remembering the order of the numbers 1-10 or how to sing the alphabet song.
   • Or, you might have trouble completing a task because you can’t remember the basic sequence of actions you need to do.
7. 7
   Pay attention to problems with left-right confusion after age 7. It’s not uncommon for kids to have trouble remembering the difference between right and left up to age 7. But with dyslexia, left-right confusion may continue to be a problem as you get older. Look out for problems telling right from left, along with related issues, such as:

   • Writing letters and numbers backwards
   • Reading in the wrong direction (e.g., trying to read English words from right to left instead of left to right)
   • Having a difficult time following directions or reading maps
   • Trouble with skills such as dancing, tying shoes, or playing sports
8. 8
   Make note of unexplained physical and emotional symptoms. Dealing with dyslexia is frustrating, and all that frustration and stress can really affect how you feel. Kids with dyslexia might get agitated or upset when trying to read or write, or have a hard time concentrating on their work for long periods of time.> They might even experience physical symptoms, like headaches, stomachaches, or dizziness.

   • These problems don’t just affect kids with dyslexia. If you’re an adult or teen struggling with the frustrations of undiagnosed dyslexia, you may find yourself feeling depressed, anxious, isolated, or stressed.
   • It can be upsetting to think that dyslexia might be causing these symptoms. However, once you know if dyslexia is the culprit, you’ll have made a big step towards feeling more in control and less stressed out!
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Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Getting Assessed

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1. 1
   Try a free online screening test to see if you meet the criteria. There are some simple tests you can take online to find out if you or your child might have dyslexia. While these tests won’t give you a definite diagnosis, they can help you decide whether it’s a good idea to go get tested. For example:

   • If you’re an adult and you think you might have dyslexia, try this short screener from ADDitude Magazine: https://www.additudemag.com/dyslexia-symptoms-test-adults/
   • The International Dyslexia Association also offers a short screening test for adults: https://dyslexiaida.org/dyslexia-test/
   • You can find online screening tests for your child or yourself at https://learningally.org/Dyslexia/Dyslexia-Test
2. 2
   See your doctor if you suspect dyslexia. The only way to get a definite diagnosis of dyslexia is to get professionally screened and tested. If you think you or your child may have dyslexia, talk to your doctor. They can refer you to a specialist (such as an educational psychologist or learning disability specialist), or help you decide what kind of testing would be most helpful.

   • The doctor might ask you questions about your family history, home life, and educational background.
   • If you’re interested in having your child tested for dyslexia, the doctor may ask if they can exchange information with your child’s teachers or your school psychologist.
   • If you think you or a family member has dyslexia, don’t wait to get it checked out! Although you can benefit from treatments and interventions at any age, dyslexia interventions are most successful when they’re started as early as possible.
3. 3
   Get tested to rule out vision, hearing, and brain issues. Sometimes, difficulties with reading, writing, or speech can be symptoms of some other issue aside from dyslexia. Your doctor may start by screening you for other health problems, such as:

   • Vision problems, such as nearsightedness, which might make reading and writing difficult
   • Difficulty hearing or understanding auditory (heard) information
   • Other learning disabilities or neurological disorders, such as ADHD
4. 4
   Do a mental health screening to check for emotional issues. Anxiety, depression, and other emotional issues can make it hard to focus on learning skills like reading and writing. Let your doctor know if you or your child may be dealing with difficult emotions or stressful situations at home, work, or school.

   • Your doctor might recommend a mental health screening based on your answers to their questions about your home life or health history.
5. 5
   Evaluate your reading and writing skills with educational tests. If your doctor suspects dyslexia, they may recommend tests to check your reading and writing skills. While there’s no single dyslexia test, a combination of tests can help your doctor decide if dyslexia is the likely cause of your or your child’s symptoms. Some common diagnostic tests include:

   • Phonological awareness tests, such as the Comprehensive Test of Phonological Processing (CTOPP). These tests check your ability to understand the sounds of your language and how they relate to written symbols or words.
   • Decoding tests, like the Test of Word Reading Efficiency-2. These tests check how quickly and accurately you can recognize and read written words.
   • Comprehension and fluency tests, such as the Gray Oral Reading Tests. These tests look for your ability to accurately read passages out loud and understand or recall information from the text.
   • Rapid naming tests, like the Rapid Automized Naming Test, in which you or your child will be asked to quickly name familiar objects or symbols.
6. 6
   Talk to your doctor about your treatment options. If you or your child are diagnosed with dyslexia, don’t panic. With the right interventions and accommodations, it’s possible to overcome the challenges of dyslexia and become a successful reader and writer. Talk to your doctor, psychologist, or anyone else involved in your evaluation about your options.

   • If your child was diagnosed with dyslexia, work with their teachers to develop a specialized education plan. This might involve one-on-one tutoring with specialists (such as speech-language pathologists or reading teachers) and special accommodations, such as extra time on tests or use of assistive technology.
   • If you’re an adult with dyslexia, your doctor can help you work with your employer to get any special accommodations you might need to be more successful on the job.
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Expert Q&A

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• Question

  How can I help develop my child's speech and language skills?

  

  Devin Fisher, CCC-SLP
  Speech Language Pathologist

  Devin Fisher is a Speech-Language Pathologist based in Las Vegas, Nevada. Devin specializes in speech and language therapy for individuals with aphasia, swallowing, voice, articulation, phonological social-pragmatic, motor speech, and fluency disorders. Furthermore, Devin treats cognitive-communication impairment, language delay, and Parkinson's Disease. He holds a BS and MS in Speech-Language Pathology from Fontbonne University. Devin also runs a related website and blog that offers speech-language therapy resources and information for clinicians and clients.

  

  Devin Fisher, CCC-SLP

  Speech Language Pathologist

  Expert Answer

  To help your child develop speech and language skills, actively engage with them through reading and interactive activities. Begin reading with your child from an early age, focusing more on effort and interaction rather than reading every word verbatim. Describe the pictures, ask questions about them, and encourage your child to respond, fostering conversation. Use sound effects and enthusiasm to make the experience engaging, even if the book itself isn't particularly exciting to you. Furthermore, explain the workings of things as you go about your activities, providing context for your actions. Though your child may not always respond verbally, they are absorbing language and understanding its use. Incorporate language into daily routines and conversations, maximizing exposure. It's important to remember that you don't have to be perfect all the time. Take breaks when needed, as constant modeling of speech and language can be tiring. Additionally, make sure to spend quality time playing with your child every day. If you have other children, involve them in activities to create a supportive learning environment.

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• Some school districts offer special programs for kids with dyslexia and other reading problems. If your child has dyslexia, work with their school’s special education team to find out what resources are available in your area.
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• In the U.S., public schools are required to offer extra help to children who are diagnosed with dyslexia and other learning disabilities. If your child has dyslexia, talk to your child’s teachers about developing an IEP (individualized education plan) or other special education services to support their learning.
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