| Much of the confusion over dyslexia testing centers | | | | focussed, addresses different specific potential |
| around not understanding the two primary levels of | | | | dyslexic problems and is usually based on |
| dyslexia testing that exist. There are two Principal | | | | demonstrable abilities. Brief exercises or tasks are |
| levels, depending on the types of dyslexia symptoms | | | | used, with time limits. Each set of test tasks is aimed |
| you wish to identify. | | | | at a different specific type of dyslexia symptom. |
| Initial Screening Tests. | | | | The test subject is then rated on his or her relative |
| The first level, that of initial screening, is broad, | | | | ability to rapidly and easily complete the specified |
| shallow and non-specific. The objective is only to | | | | tasks. The goal is to identify potential problems and |
| identify any of the tell-tale signs of dyslexic | | | | rate them as to severity. To do this the subject may |
| impairment and screen out the subjects for further | | | | be asked to translate between visual images and |
| testing. These tests are made to be given to large | | | | sounds, sounds to written text, transpose characters |
| groups of people, rapidly and easily. | | | | and syllables, etc. |
| They tend to be in the form of short questionnaires | | | | A full dyslexia test is more formal, make one-on-one, |
| of 20-30 questions or so, asking about any of the | | | | with the observations made by the skilled |
| known dyslexia symptoms. Questions such as, "Do | | | | professional administering the test being part of the |
| you ever have trouble writing down telephone | | | | test results. Response times are important so they |
| numbers, license plate numbers or other numbers | | | | are measured. It is a time of paying close attention in |
| given to you over the phone?" are common. | | | | order to get accurate readings. |
| There are other, less formal tests, such as the | | | | The full dyslexia test will determine if a person is |
| special computer games offered by The Diagnostic | | | | dyslexic or not. And, if so, what specific problems |
| Gaming Company(R). Using these games, designed | | | | were detected and what was their level of severity. |
| for different age groups, parents or teachers can | | | | If a subject tests positive for dyslexia, the full test |
| easily tell if a child shows signs of dyslexia by its | | | | results will be the starting point used by therapists to |
| ability to play the game. | | | | help the subject overcome these problems. |
| Another screening test used by educators is simply | | | | In summary, the type of dyslexia testing that would |
| observing if a child's reading ability matches its age | | | | be appropriate to use depends on the goals of the |
| and intelligence. Any child that is generally bright, | | | | test. For a quick check and to identify possible |
| attentive and a normal or above-average student but | | | | dyslexia symptoms in members of a group, screening |
| who substantially underperforms in reading, becomes | | | | tests are used. To identify, pinpoint and measure the |
| a candidate for full dyslexia testing. | | | | severity of potential problems, a full dyslexia test is |
| Full Dyslexia Testing. | | | | required. |
| The second level, that of full testing, is more | | | | |