How to Test an Adult for Dyslexia

Dyslexia is a disorder that affects a person's ability to format words. This will cause them to have difficulty reading and writing, and mispronounce words when speaking. It is important to detect dyslexia as early as possible so that the individual can receive proper treatment to help them overcome the disorder. The testing process for dyslexia is the same regardless of whether the individual is a child or adult, but most children who exhibit typical dyslexia signs are taken to a specialist when they are young for testing.

Instructions

1. Learn the individual's genealogical history and overall background, either by interviewing them or their parents. Look for a history or mental disorders in the family, and ask how the individual performed in school.

2. Listen to the person speak and identify if they are mispronouncing a lot of multi-syllable words. This is a common sign of dyslexia.

3. Have the individual read from a book, and observe if they make a lot of errors, especially regarding words that are similar in appearance (such as "form" and "from").

4. Have the person write a short story, and examine the story for spelling errors, especially with words that are similar.

Tips & Warnings

• A specialist will be able to evaluate an adult with dyslexia and provide treatment for them. No two dyslexics are alike, so treatments will vary.

References

• Dys Add: Symptoms of Dyslexia

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish