Dyslexia Testing: When, Where, and What to Expect

Dyslexia is the most common learning disability, affecting roughly 5–10% of students. It is also one of the most responsive to the right instruction — when identified. Early, accurate testing is the first step.

Signs That Warrant Testing

Slow or inaccurate reading despite instruction. Difficulty connecting letters to sounds. Trouble with spelling that does not match phonetic rules. Strong verbal skills paired with weak reading. Family history of dyslexia. Avoidance of reading aloud.

When to Test

In kindergarten and first grade, early reading screeners can flag risk. From second grade onward, comprehensive evaluation is usually diagnostic. Earlier identification allows for more effective intervention during the developmental window when reading pathways are most responsive.

What the Evaluation Covers

A dyslexia evaluation includes phonological awareness, rapid automatized naming, decoding, word reading, reading fluency, reading comprehension, and spelling. It is also standard to assess cognitive ability and rule out other causes (attention, language, vision) that can mimic dyslexia.

What the Report Provides

A clear diagnostic determination. Specific strengths and weaknesses in the reading profile. Concrete recommendations for instruction (structured literacy programs like Orton-Gillingham, Wilson, Lindamood-Bell). Accommodations for school and testing.

Using the Report in School

The report supports IEP or 504 planning and can be used to argue for specialized reading instruction that some districts do not automatically provide. Fort Lee Psych attends IEP meetings with Bergen County families after dyslexia evaluations.