Dyslexia Testing For Teens: What Is Involved?
There isn’t a single test for dyslexia, no matter a person’s age. We use a battery of assessments to diagnose dyslexia; spending time not only assessing your teen, but reviewing vital academic information and getting to know them during their clinical interview. For teenagers, that evaluation looks at the development of the individual as well as their cognitive development. If you’re still on the fence about dyslexia testing for your teen, let’s dive a little deeper into what you can expect.
The Basics of a Dyslexia Evaluation
A dyslexia evaluation doesn’t really change depending on a person’s age, however, it can be difficult to diagnosis correctly in children which is why so many young people go without a correct diagnosis. This is more common in girls and young women, who are especially overlooked in educational settings. An evaluation will cover all areas that could potentially be causing reading challenges for your teen. Our practice will complete an evaluation in 4-6 weeks, taking the time to do a thorough and complete assessment with the right documentation you will need to get the comprehensive educational support your child deserves.
When it comes to the actual evaluation process, it’s the responsibility of the professional to implement tests that will determine your teen’s skills in everything from working memory and academic functioning to long-term memory skills for visual and auditory learning. We will also work to determine your teenager’s cognitive processing abilities. It could be possible that their symptoms of dyslexia could be the result of another issue — which we’ll cover later.
Finally, we will look at the kind of reading success your teen has had in the past. Not all teens have the support they need to learn and develop appropriately, which might not be a learning issue, but the result of the environment.
The Importance of History
Some people offer “short” dyslexia tests, which really serve more as reading screenings than anything else. While they might give you some insight into your teen’s reading abilities, they aren’t true tests of what they might be dealing with.
Real, effective dyslexia testing should always look into your teenager’s academic and medical histories.
When a professional reviews your teen’s medical history, they’ll have a better understanding of any underlying conditions that could be contributing to their learning issues. By looking at personal history, they can also infer whether life issues like stress or major changes could be contributing to some of the signs.
Can Your Teen Outgrow Dyslexia?
Dyslexia is a learning disability that doesn’t just “go away” with age. While many people believe it’s a childhood disorder, it’s something that can affect a person for the rest of their life, including how they read, learn, and process information. This entitles them to supports from childhood well into adulthood and can look like note taking during college by a peer so they can better listen to lectures, extra time on projects in the workplace, and free or discounted assistance with government paperwork like tax planning and preparation.
Teenagers and adults with dyslexia do not have to struggle through life without the correct supports. By receiving supports and learning appropriate strategies, Dyslexic teens can develop the systems they need to grow and thrive. Masking the symptoms and finding workarounds, both of which are common in young women, doesn’t mean the learning disability goes away.
What Can You Do for Your Teen?
If you suspect your teenager is dyslexic, the best thing you can do is get them a formal, thorough evaluation. If they do are dyslexic, they can work with a specially-trained teacher or tutor using systems like Orton-Gillingham to support phonemic understanding and learn strategies that are more supportive of their cognitive needs. Having an IEP or 504 Plan can also ensure that your child has appropriate supports that plan with them through high school, college, and beyond.
Different types of therapies can also help dyslexic teens. Academic therapy can help with learning disabilities, while more traditional types of talk therapy can help with things like self-esteem, confidence, and developing a positive mindset.
It’s never easy for a parent or caregiver to see their teen struggle to learn. But, making sure they receive the right testing is the first step toward understanding their needs and supporting their journey.
Reach out to learn more about dyslexia testing and how we can help your teen.
