Is there a test for dyslexia?

There is no one test for dyslexia. A diagnosis of a language based learning disability- which is what you will typically hear as opposed to the term dyslexia, is the result of a comprehensive evaluation which generally includes cognitive testing to determine the presence or absence of processing weaknesses, and achievement testing to establish levels of function in reading, writing , math and general knowledge. It needs to be pretty complete, as not all performance issues are learning disabilities- and not all learning disabilities cause performance issues- and even when they are they may not require SPED. Sometimes it is hard to tease out the difference but for LD under the law, you need to document a processing deficit as well as a discrepency between capacity and achievement.

If you check in the assessments section of LD in Depth you will find a lot of information. You may request a comprehensive evaluation from your school district. It is usually better to do it in writing- as the folks on this board will tell you.

Robin

Ah, they’re pullling your leg. Ask them to test for learning disabilities, specifically in reading and written expression. If they can’t do that, they shouldn’t be where they are.

Be aware that a school does not have the facilities to do full-scale CAPD testing. The most they can do is a screening. If your child fails the school’s screening for CAPD, you need to follow up with a CAPD evaluation by an audiologist trained in this area. This kind of testing requires sophisticated equipment and a soundproof room — things schools don’t have. This kind of CAPD evaluation is considered a medical procedure, and is often covered by insurance.

You may also want to schedule a developmental vision evaluation outside the school system. CAPD is a common underlying cause of dyslexia, but developmental vision delays are another common underlying cause. Some children have both. A developmental vision eval includes about 20 tests of visual function not included in a regular eye exam, just as a CAPD eval includes many tests of auditory function not included in a regular hearing exam. You can find developmental optometrists in your area at http://www.covd.org

Most dyslexics have delays in development of phonological processing. A complete speech and language eval can identify this. Good tests to include in the evaluation are the LAC and CTOPP (and the SCAN for auditory processing). There is information about these tests in the “assessments” section of the “LD in Depth” portion of this website. A complete speech and language evaluation is well within the scope of testing that a school can do.

Be sure to put all of your requests for assessment in writing, in order to make them legally binding on the school. Otherwise the testing can be delayed for months, and may not include everything you think is needed.

Mary

Dont forget to check with your local private optometrist also….My husband is an OD but not a member of COVD. Many local optometrists are able to do a full battery of test to diagnose dsylexia. He has looked into to this subject a great deal and Im sure others have done this too….