How is dyslexia diagnosed?

Diagnosing dyslexia can be a multi-step process that may involve several healthcare professionals, such as a pediatrician, a clinical psychologist, or a speech-language pathologist. There's no single test to definitively diagnose dyslexia. Instead, doctors rely on a combination of methods, including:

Medical and family history: The doctor will ask about your child's developmental history, including any concerns you have about their reading ability. They may also inquire about your family history, as dyslexia tends to run in families.

Educational assessment: The doctor may review your child's school records to look for signs of dyslexia, such as difficulties with reading, writing, and spelling.

Cognitive assessment: Your child may undergo cognitive testing to assess their intellectual abilities, including their reading, writing, and language skills.

Observation: The doctor may observe your child reading, writing, and speaking to look for any difficulties that may be related to dyslexia.

If the doctor suspects that your child may have dyslexia, they may recommend additional testing, such as:

Dyslexia testing: A comprehensive evaluation by a speech-language pathologist or a psychologist who specializes in dyslexia can help determine the strengths and weaknesses of your child's reading skills.

Brain imaging studies: In some cases, brain imaging studies, such as functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), may be used to help diagnose dyslexia. These studies can provide information about the brain activity that occurs when your child reads.

A diagnosis of dyslexia is generally made when a child's reading skills are significantly below what is expected for their age and intelligence level, and other factors, such as hearing problems or vision difficulties, have been ruled out.