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Dyslexia
- Overview
-
Health Tools
- Cause
- Symptoms
- What Increases Your Risk
- When to Call the Doctor
- Exams and Tests
- Treatment Overview
- Ongoing Concerns
- Helping Your Child
- Other Treatments
- Other Places To Get Help
- Related Information
- References
- Credits
A single test can't diagnose dyslexia. Rather, your doctor or a school professional (such as a reading specialist) will ask you what signs of dyslexia you and your child’s teachers have seen. He or she will ask your child questions too.
Reading tests and other types of assessments may be done to help find out more about your child's skills. For example, tests may include those that focus on your child's personality traits, learning style, language and problem-solving skills, and intelligence quotient (IQ).
It takes a team to diagnose dyslexia. School professionals or learning specialists in your area will assess academic skills and abilities. Your child's doctor can assess your child's general health and cognitive development. A complete medical, behavioral, educational, and social history may be taken to rule out other conditions (such as a brain injury) that can also interfere with the ability to read or memorize words.
It must be clear that your child does not have another problem that could cause him or her to struggle with reading, such as a condition that affects cognitive development.
Dyslexia is only diagnosed when:
- There is evidence of a severe reading problem.
- The problem is not due to low intelligence, a visual or hearing deficit or other physical conditions, or a lack of educational opportunity.
To qualify for special education assistance, federal law requires that a child have tests to help check his or her language and math skills.
| By: | Healthwise Staff | Last Revised: June 4, 2010 |
| Medical Review: | Susan C. Kim, MD - Pediatrics Thomas Emmett Francoeur, MDCM, CSPQ, FRCPC - Pediatrics John Pope, MD - Pediatrics | |
© 1995-2011 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.
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