Dyslexia Diagnosis: Process, Professionals & What to Expect

Dyslexia is a specific learning disability in reading. Diagnosis is a comprehensive, multi-disciplinary process—no single test exists.

Assessment Components

• Case history: Developmental, medical, family, educational background.
• Cognitive testing: IQ (e.g., WISC) to establish potential.
• Academic achievement: Reading (decoding, fluency, comprehension), spelling, writing (e.g., WIAT, WJ).
• Phonological processing: Phonemic awareness, rapid naming, memory (CTOPP).
• Language evaluation: Receptive/expressive language (SLP).
• Observation & questionnaires: Teacher/parent input on behavior, attention.
• Rule out: Vision/hearing deficits, ADHD, intellectual disability, inadequate instruction.

Professionals Involved

• Psychologist (school/clinical)
• Speech-language pathologist
• Educational diagnostician
• Neuropsychologist (complex cases)

Diagnostic Criteria (DSM-5 / ICD-11)

Persistent difficulties in reading accuracy/fluency/comprehension for ≥6 months despite intervention, skills substantially below age/grade expectations, not explained by other factors.

After Diagnosis

IEP/504 plan for accommodations (extra time, audiobooks, structured literacy instruction). Early intervention (K–2) yields best outcomes.