Week 2: Understand Evaluation
Video:
How to Get Child Evaluated
Slides: http://www.slideshare.net/LdEduTalk/ldedutalk-dyslexia-training-institute
The process of identifying how significant your child's issues with reading are can be overwhelming. What do you do when you suspect your child has a reading disability? Join us to learn the different levels of assessments you can use to help your child learn how to read. This lecture by Kelli Sandman-Hurley of The Dyslexia Training Institute was sponsored by LdEduTalk. The slide for How to Get Child Evaluated starts at 13:09.
Understanding Test Results
Dr. Rachna Varia, a licensed clinical psychologist and Director of Testing and Diagnostics for Mindwell, discuss es key elements that must be included in a thorough assessment to tease out dyslexia. The webinar will help inform parents about what learning areas to be assessed, why it should be assessed, and the implications. It also explains standard scores and scaled scores to better interpret your child's unique profile.
Books:
These books cover testing in depth and describe specific tests:
Wrightslaw: All About Test & Assessments
by Melissa Lee Farrall and Pamela Darr Wright
Essentials of Dyslexia Assessment and Intervention
by Nancy Mather and Barbara J. Wendling
Weekly Assignment:
Read Wrightslaw's
Tests and Assessment Pop-Up: Assessing Reading Difficulties and Difficulties
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Read Who Is Qualified to Diagnose LD Anyway? and Pieces of a Comprehensive Evaluation .
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Start compiling a list of formal evaluators and professional screeners in your area. While you may not use it immediately, knowing the cost of your local options will be important as you make your plan for helping your child.
Articles about the Evaluation Process:
Not everyone who offers dyslexia testing has the qualification to give an official, legally valid diagnosis -- others may do the same tests but can legally only "identify" individuals who "fit the profile for dyslexia". This article explains the differences between several types of psychologists and other professionals.
Article describing all the areas that should be tested in a full evaluation. If you choose to have the school do testing via the IEP process, ask for the names of tests they plan to do, and compare the tests to these recommendations.
Article describes specifc tests by name.
Article about the testing appointment.
Informal Screening at Home:
DIBELS is used in many schools to screen for dyslexia and track reading progress. It can also be done at home. This video describes the test.
On the DIBELS page, click on "sign up" to get access to free download of DIBELS benchmark tests.
Most dyslexics struggle to read nonsense words. This quick screening will show you if your child is having trouble in this area.
This site has a quick and easy check of phonics knowledge. Follow the link, then click on the picture that says "Quick and Simple Phonics Assessment" to go to the download.