Testing for Dyslexia

Should you test your child for dyslexia? If you know the characteristics of dyslexia, you’ll likely be aware of the pattern and strengths and challenges a test for dyslexia would reveal.

Parent observation or a family history of dyslexia though is not enough. The Education Establishment requires data—norms, standard deviations and median values.  For children with dyslexia to get services, they must undergo a battery of tests.

But asking for dyslexia testing and getting a test for dyslexia can prove very difficult. Often a parent tries making a request like this:

“I would like my child tested for dyslexia,” says Mom to the teacher. The teacher or principal might say: “We don’t test for dyslexia, you will have to get that done privately.” Mom, feeling a little chagrined, says, “Oh, okay, and walks away, embarrassed and upset about the exchange.

Such an exchange happens far too often, when parents aren’t sure about how to engage the education community in addressing their child’s unexpected academic struggles, and dyslexia issues are particularly charged.

What that educator should have said, in a thoughtful and respectful way, is some variation on: “Please talk to me about your concerns and what leads you to request an assessment for your child, which we can certainly do. You need to know, however, that the school system does not diagnose dyslexia through its testing, but it does conduct adequate testing to determine whether or not your child qualifies for Special Education services. Is this a good time for us to talk, or would you like to schedule an appointment?”

Remember that the school establishment considers dyslexia a medical diagnosis, and the closest most educators will come to identifying dyslexia is to indicate that a child exhibits characteristics consistent with dyslexia.

With all that said, if you still want your child tested in school, you must place your request in writing, which starts the clock ticking for the district to respond to you with an assessment plan. Be sure to date and keep all correspondence.

If you choose to have private testing done by a neuropsychologist, check with your insurance company to see if it’s covered. You can expect this to cost anywhere from one thousand to four thousand dollars, or more. The value of a complete workup is to have a very comprehensive evaluation of your child’s strengths, weaknesses, and learning style.