Preparing for Dyslexia Screening
Dyslexia, a common learning disorder affects many Americans. If diagnosed early, the concomitant conditions may be effectively treated and dyslexia itself, managed with suitable learning skills to ensure the optimum growth of the individual. The main reason why dyslexia should be diagnosed early is that this is a disability, which has far reaching emotional and social consequences on the life of the patient and a failure to diagnose it early will affect a person in many ways.
Since it is a common learning disorder, screening and subsequent detailed assessment, if necessary are mandatory by law. Screening for dyslexia maybe done either at the behest of the parents, in the case of a child, or by self-assessment, in case of adults who believe themselves to be dyslexic. Either way, the pattern of testing remains the same, with an initial screening and a subsequent detailed examination by a qualified psychologist.
Screening tests maybe done through a list of questions, which are put to the individual being screened and the person further referred, if he answers in the affirmative. These questions include:
- Do you have a family history of dyslexia?
- Do you face difficulties in spelling?
- Do you face difficulties in writing in any way?
- Do you try to avoid situations in which you maybe expected to read and write?
In case of children, the questions maybe put to the parents and may include the following:
- Do any of your other children suffer from dyslexia?
- Has you child ever tried to avoid attending school?
- Is your child comfortable with his/her peers?
- Does your child try to avoid reading?
It is important to prepare oneself even before the screening tests, so that the subsequent tests are easy. After an initial referral, the doctor may recommend a visit either to an opthalmologist, an otolaryngologist or a neurologist to rule out organic visual, auditory or cerebral disorders as the case maybe.
Before meeting the doctor, it is important to have the following checklist
- Write down the symptoms, no matter how trivial they seem.
- Write down key personal information like any emotional or personal upheavals, which may have affected the child.
- Make a list of the dietary supplements that the child is taking, like vitamins or minerals.
- Ask a family member or a close friend along so that they can fill in the gaps in your knowledge, if any.
- Write down questions to ask your doctor, which may include the following: Will my other children suffer from dyslexia too?
- What are the further tests needed?
- How will the treatment take place?
- What are the latest methods of treatment?
If the person tests positive for any of the above, they are referred to detailed tests in language, spelling, grammar and math, which are carried out by a psychologist.
Nowadays, some special short computer games like ‘Lucid’ and ‘Smart Cat’ have been devised which enable easy screening in children, without having to revert to detailed and often boring questions.
With careful preparation, dyslexia can be caught early and managed effectively.
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