What Challenges Can Complicate a Dyslexia Evaluation?

Reading and writing are critical skills in our society, but learning differences such as dyslexia can make it harder for people to master these tasks.

People who deal with dyslexia have better outcomes when they get an early diagnosis. Dyslexia assessments for children are critical tools to ensure students who require extra support receive the help they need.

However, some things can complicate a dyslexia evaluation and make it tough to decide the right path forward.

Here are some of the things to consider when going through a dyslexia assessment to make sure you get an accurate diagnosis.

Factors That Impact Dyslexia Assessment

To screen a child for dyslexia, start with a quality dyslexia assessment, a tool to test different language and processing skills to see if a child is making the proper connections between symbols like letters and phonetic sounds. Because every child is different, each will have a unique set of extenuating factors that will influence whether they receive a diagnosis of dyslexia. Here are a few things to consider during an evaluation.

Symptoms Can Vary

Dyslexia can present differently in each individual. Nearly one out of five Americans has dyslexia, and each has a different set of challenges and advantages as they experience life with this learning condition. Meaning clinicians must consider all of the possible symptoms of dyslexia when evaluating a child and resist relying on stereotypical views of what dyslexia looks like.

Co-occurring Disorders

Another complication that can arise when trying to diagnose dyslexia is the presence of other disorders or disabilities. A child who has ADHD or is on the autism spectrum may have overlapping symptoms that coincide with dyslexia. Speech disabilities can factor in how a child learns to read, mimicking the symptoms of dyslexia. In some cases, the symptoms can mask the presence of dyslexia making it harder to diagnose.

Emotional disorders can also play a part in the diagnosis process. Children who are struggling to read and do well in school may suffer from low self-esteem, anxiety, and even depression. These conditions impact a child’s reading ability, focus on learning new things, and interfere with the dyslexia assessment process.

Age-Related Factors

Dyslexia’s presentation can change through stages in an individual’s life. Symptoms in young children may differ from those in an older elementary-aged child. It’s crucial to have the proper assessments to evaluate a child at any age because many people with dyslexia reach adulthood without a proper diagnosis, leaving them at a disadvantage when navigating daily life.

Background

Consider a child’s background and culture when conducting a dyslexia assessment. Non-native speakers of the language they are assessed in may struggle more than other students, but not because of dyslexia. Instead, they may be learning a new language in an unfamiliar setting.

Get a Dyslexia Assessment With Tools You Need

Screening for dyslexia is a nuanced process critical to a student’s success. A tool like Tests of Dyslexia (TOD™), the first comprehensive dyslexia assessment, can make the process easier.