Before a Dyslexia Diagnosis

If your child is having difficulty reading and spelling but is advancing in other areas of their academic life, your child may have dyslexia. The earlier dyslexia is detected, the better it is for your child and you. See our list of dyslexia warning signs to help get a start on the diagnostic process.


The Importance of Diagnosing Dyslexia

Dyslexia cannot be self-diagnosed or confirmed through online assessments. To receive help and accommodations in your child’s school, you will need to obtain an official psychoeducational evaluation. This is often referred to as a “psych ed evaluation,” or simply, an “evaluation.” Undiagnosed dyslexia can manifest itself in your child in multiple ways. Common issues can include anxiety, anger and frustration, social skills and behavioral issues, lack of confidence and even depression.

Your child may try to hide their problem by memorizing or guessing, but frustration will continue to build, especially when schools expect their students to transition from “Learning to Read” to “Reading to Learn.” Getting a dyslexia diagnosis can provide understanding and comfort to both your child and you. It is the first step in getting your child the help he or she needs.

If you move forward with seeking a diagnosis, a licensed psychologist should give certain tests to assess for dyslexia. These may include the following – tests of intellectual ability (IQ), academic skills including reading, writing, and math, and phonological processing. Assessment of reading should include single-word reading, nonword reading, reading fluency, and reading comprehension.

  • How Do I Get My Child Evaluated?

    A psychoeducational evaluation can be obtained from your public school district’s psychologists. However, depending on your school, the district-based psychologists may not diagnose or recognize dyslexia. Psychoeducational evaluations can also be obtained from some universities and from independent psychologists. A referral list is available upon request.

  • What Do I Do While I'm Waiting For A Diagnosis?

    While you wait for an evaluation appointment, a good start to getting your child the help they need is to explore tutorial assistance.

  • How Can I Learn More About Dyslexia?

    One of your first responsibilities as the parent of a potentially dyslexic student is to become as educated as you can about dyslexia. These Resources are a good starting point. It is also extremely helpful to refer to our website often, and subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news and helpful articles.


Steps to Take If Your Child Has Not Been Diagnosed with Dyslexia Yet

ReadSourceBefore a Dyslexia Diagnosis