Your
questions about the
dyslexia assessment
 How
much does the test cost?
The costs of the Dyslexia Test 7-16 are listed
on our Fees
page.
Will
the test be too complicated for me to do?
The test has been specially
designed to be as user-friendly as possible, and the instructions are clear and
easy to follow. It may be helpful to study the different sections of the test
before doing it with your child. The test has been specially written for people
who are not trained in psychology or education. It has been successfully carried
out by hundreds of parents, many of whom have commented on how clear and straightforward
they found it (see the comments from parents and adults on our page about us).
Some of the tests involve pictures and puzzles, or threading beads, and are
enjoyed by the children (and adults!). Each section has an introduction explaining
exactly what to do. If you should be confused about any section, then you can
e-mail us and we'll do our best to clarify matters.
We are always trying to make the wording of the test clearer and easier to understand,
so we appreciate your comments. I
think I may have problems getting my son to do the test. He tells me I'm his dad,
not his teacher. What can I do?
You'll probably find that you already
know a lot of the answers on the Questionnaire section, and can fill them in without
your child being involved at all. When it comes to the short tests, explain
to your son that doing the test could make a big difference to his future learning
progress, and that he will probably receive a special certificate for his drawing.
Alternatively, he may feel more comfortable doing the test (puzzles!) with a friend
of the family or a relative. Sometimes grandparents can be great at this kind
of thing!
We often find that a small inducement can work wonders - the promise
of a small, but specific reward at the end!  Can
you test children under 7?
Unfortunately not. Can
you test children aged 7?
Our Dyslexia Test 7-16 is a reliable and valid
test for 7-16 year olds, and we have used it successfully with hundreds of 7-16
year olds over the years. The tests in the booklet have been written and trialled
at two major universities with thousands of children in this age-group, and they
have produced valid statistical data against which we compare your son's results.
Please note that you should not order the Dyslexia Test 7-16 until your
child has reached their 7th birthday. Which
test for a 17- or 18-year old?
For a 17-year old, the Dyslexia Test 7-16
will produce the sort of results that you are familiar with from school reports,
and is recommended for this age. The Dyslexia Test for Adults is recommended for
an 18-year old, but it is usually best to approach the school/college, as some
colleges and universities have their own requirements for assessment, and may,
for example, require an assessment by a local psychologist.  My
son's reading seems to be alright, but he has real trouble with spelling and writing.
Can he be dyslexic if he can read?
Dyslexia affects children in different
ways, and many dyslexic children have problems learning to read. However, it is
quite common for a dyslexic child to have learned to read, but still be having
great trouble with spelling and writing. I
am concerned about confidentiality. Will the test arrive in an envelope with 'dyslexia'
written on it?
No mention is made of dyslexia on the envelope in which
your test booklet is sent to you, whether it is the Dyslexia Test 7-16 or the
Dyslexia Test for Adults. There is just our company name - Direct Learning - and
our address. How do
you keep the price so low?
Our prices are kept at an affordable level
as we are able to base our assessment on the information you provide for us in
the booklet. This saves us all the time it would take us to carry out the
different tests with your child, or with an adult being tested.  Is
the test a general educational assessment?
We specialize purely in the
assessment of dyslexia through its sixty-six indicators, and we have built up
a substantial body of expertise in this area. Part of the child's test provides
a standardized test of reading and spelling, which will show your child's exact
level compared to his or her grade or age-group. However, if we suspect any other
psychological condition, such as ADD or Irlen Syndrome, which might need further
investigation locally, then we will advise you in your assessment report. What
research into dyslexia does Direct Learning sponsor?
Direct Learning
sponsors five other websites, aimed at providing, gathering and sharing information
among different interest groups in the field of dyslexia: www.dyslexia-teacher.com
www.dyslexia-parent.com
www.dyslexia-adults.com
www.dyslexia-magazine.com
These web-sites are
used by hundreds of thousands of people each year.
We also carry out our
own research program into dyslexia in adults and children, and everyone taking
our test is asked whether they would agree to the information they have supplied
being used - anonymously - in our research (but you do not have to agree to this).
 Can
the test be used by schools?
Yes. Our tests are used by schools around
the world. The procedure is the same as for a parent ordering a test booklet,
and a 10% discount is
available. Some schols find that the cost of a local assessment is beyond their
budget, but they are happy to assist with completing our test booklet when the
parent is able to pay for it. How
is it possible to assess a child for dyslexia at a distance?
When we assess
a child face to face, we go through exactly the same tests, and ask exactly the
same questions as are on the test pages of the booklet. The only difference when
we assess at a distance is that you ask the questions and supply us with
the answers, drawings, etc. on which we base our diagnosis.
You
will find more questions answered on our web-pages:
Dyslexia: Your Questions Answered
Dyslexia: More of Your Questions Answered
Dyslexia news, resources and research
in our
Dyslexia Newsletter | 