Why screen for dyslexia?

A lot of people ask me,"What is dyslexia screening?" and "Is it worth doing?" Here's my best explanation.

Dyslexia screening is the first step towards discovering if your child's difficulties may be linked to dyslexia. Whether your child goes to school or is home-educated, if you have concerns about their reading, writing or spelling then a screening will provide answers. 

Typically a screening lasts about half an hour or so. Your child will undertake a series of short tasks covering various aspects of literacy. The results are then collated and a report provided to you which shows your child's areas of strength and weaknesses. Alongside the report, a good screening should provide advice and suggestions for activities to help your child improve their skills.

So, what can you do with the results? Well, the screening results can be used in a number of ways.

1. Take the screening results into school and share them with the SENCO/ALNCO. I have seen very positive improvements made for children when parents have shared their screening test results with the school.
2. Small adjustments in the classroom can make all the difference - your screening report will offer suggestions that can be made by class teachers easily and at no extra cost to the school.
3. Do the suggested activities at home and help your child improve their literacy skills.
4. If you are home-educating, the screening results helps you target those areas of literacy that your child is struggling with -  to help them reach their true potential.
5. If you choose to get extra tuition for your child then the screening results will save your tutor time -  and save you money - as she will be able to immediately focus on those particular skills your child needs help to develop.
6. Finally and very importantly, you will gain a better understanding of your child, their abilities, strengths and weaknesses.

So, there you have it, a wordy explanation but hopefully one that is useful!

I've done numerous dyslexia screenings over the years with varying results - sometimes children's difficulties turn out not to be linked to dyslexia  - but always with positive outcomes for the children concerned, as their needs are identified and they finally get the help they require to succeed.

If you live in Wales, you can contact me for a screening. If you live elsewhere then see my resources page for suggestions of organisations you can contact who offer screenings. If all else fails, look out for dyslexia associations or support groups in your area - they should be able to point you in the right direction.


Contact me today to get your child the help and support they need to succeed.