Dyslexia is often thought of as the switching of letters within a word or seeing or writing letters backwards. While both of these indicators may be present in the dyslexic, they not always are. Dyslexia is a neurological disability that makes learning to read, spell, or comprehend, difficult. If you suspect your child has dyslexia what should you do?
The answer is simple. You should test for dyslexia. Okay, now you know what to do, how should you you go about it? It is not surprising how many people have no idea how to have their child tested for dyslexia. Testing could be coordinated with your child's school. The school may have a standardized method to test for dyslexia. If it doesn't, do not give up. The school reading specialist may have recommendations pointing you toward a testing facility or an educational psychologist.
Another possibility is your child's pediatrician. While the MD probably will not have the resources or expertise to do the testing, they may have sources or connections to which they can direct you to get the testing that your child needs.
In any case, the diagnosis will not (or at least should not) be a single session with the person being tested. It should encompass interviews with you and your child's teachers, and will probably include more than one written or verbal test over more than one session with the tester.
After the test for dyslexia is given, and you have a positive diagnosis, listen to the recommendations you get. If the school officials tell you they do not have the appropriate setting or staff to provide specialized instruction for your child, again, don't give up. There are schools that specialize in educating dyslexic students. There is also a lot you can do yourself to help your child. Read anything you can get your hands on and then read some more. Talk to other parents of dyslexic children and to a reading specialist or educational psychologist to acquire as much information as you can.
Another important thing to remember is that your child is not damaged. Your child's brain just needs to process the words in a different way than most students. There is no cure for dyslexia but with hard work, your student can do significantly better if given the proper tools and practice that they need to learn.
A test for dyslexia is hard to do accurately at an early age. Regular developmental bumps may be mistaken for a true case of dyslexia. Leading specialists suggest that you wait until your child is at least 6 years old and recommend waiting until your child is between 8 and 10 years old before testing. Being misdiagnosed, either positively or negatively can lead to a whole different set of issues. So thoroughly question your child's test results and consider retesting as they get older.
