When to test for dyslexia (and what to expect)

One of the most common questions we hear from parents is:

"When should I test my child for dyslexia?"

It's a question that weighs heavily on many families. Waiting too long can allow frustration to build and confidence to erode. But testing too early without the right context can feel confusing or inconclusive.

Here's the good news: there are clear signs that indicate when dyslexia testing is appropriate. Understanding what the process looks like can make this decision feel far less overwhelming.

When should a child be tested for dyslexia?

Your child doesn't need to be "failing" to warrant dyslexia testing. Many children with dyslexia are bright, articulate, and doing just well enough to fly under the radar.

Consider testing if your child:

• Continues to struggle with reading despite extra help or tutoring

• Has difficulty sounding out words or remembering sight words

• Guesses at words instead of decoding them

• Reads slowly and with great effort

• Avoids reading or becomes emotional during reading tasks

• Shows inconsistent or phonetic spelling

• Has a family history of dyslexia or reading difficulties

If these patterns persist beyond six months of consistent instruction, testing is often the next best step.

How early can dyslexia be identified?

While formal diagnoses typically happen in elementary school, risk factors for dyslexia can be identified as early as kindergarten or first grade.

Early indicators include:

• Weak phonological awareness (difficulty rhyming or identifying sounds)

• Trouble learning letter names and sounds

• Difficulty blending sounds into words

Early identification is crucial because it allows children to receive targeted, evidence-based intervention during the years when the brain is most responsive to reading instruction.

What does a dyslexia assessment include?

A comprehensive dyslexia assessment examines much more than reading level alone. Depending on the provider, testing may evaluate:

• Phonological and phonemic awareness

• Decoding and word recognition

• Reading fluency and accuracy

• Spelling and written expression

• Language comprehension

• Memory, processing speed, and attention (in some cases)

The goal isn't simply to assign a label. It's to understand why reading is difficult and what kind of instruction will help most.

Where can dyslexia testing be done in Chicago?

Families in Chicago and the surrounding suburbs typically pursue testing through one of these paths:

• School-based evaluations

  Public schools can conduct evaluations at no cost. However, the process can be lengthy, not all children qualify, and results may focus more on eligibility than instructional detail.

• Private evaluations

  Conducted by licensed psychologists or neuropsychologists, these assessments are more comprehensive and provide clearer diagnostic insight, though they come with a financial cost.

• Speech-language pathologist input

  While SLPs don't always diagnose dyslexia, they play a critical role in identifying language-based reading weaknesses, interpreting test results, and designing effective intervention plans.

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At Ravinia Reading Center, we frequently collaborate with testing professionals and help families understand results and next steps.

What happens after testing?

This is the step many parents don't expect, and where confusion often sets in. A diagnosis alone does not improve reading. What matters most is what comes next. After testing, families may pursue:

• School-based accommodations (IEP or 504 Plan)

• Structured literacy instruction

• Speech-language–based reading intervention

For many children, outside intervention is necessary, even with school supports in place.

How reading intervention fits into the process

Whether your child has already been tested or you're still considering it, intervention can and often should begin right away.

At Ravinia Reading Center:

• All instruction is provided by certified speech-language pathologists

• Intervention is grounded in the Science of Reading

• Lessons are individualized to address each child's specific profile

• We support children before, during, and after formal testing

Many families choose to begin intervention while waiting for testing so that valuable time isn't lost.

Take the next step

If you're wondering whether it's time to test your child for dyslexia, you don't have to decide alone. Speak with a speech-language pathologist who can help you determine whether testing is appropriate and how to support your child moving forward.