According to the International Dyslexia Association, “The key symptoms of dyslexia are problems with decoding or single word reading and/or poor reading fluency and poor spelling. Phonological weaknesses or disorders, specific language-based difficulties, are usually the underlying cause of the literacy problems associated with dyslexia. Comprehension may be impaired and writing skills will suffer if spelling is not mastered. Language and vocabulary problems can cause comprehension difficulties that can become more severe over time as academic demands increase. Poor readers may have weak vocabulary and background knowledge caused by reading less than average readers.” Dyslexia Assessment: What Is It and How Can It Help? - International Dyslexia Association

​According to the National Center for Learning Disabilities (NCLD) and the International Dyslexia Association (IDA), professionals qualified to diagnose dyslexia must have specialized training and expertise in areas such as psychology, education, reading, and language development.

A dyslexia diagnosis may be made by a single qualified evaluator or a team of specialists. These professionals must have a deep understanding of how individuals learn to read, the factors that contribute to reading difficulties, and the ability to accurately administer and interpret diagnostic assessments. 
While our training and credentials allow us to identify characteristics of dyslexia in alignment with definitions from reputable organizations (such as the International Dyslexia Association and the DSM-5), we want to clarify that “diagnose” is a medical term typically reserved for licensed medical professionals. Dyslexia is considered a specific learning disorder, not a medical condition.

As such, we do not use the term “diagnose” in our reports. We provide professional identification of dyslexia-related patterns based on educational assessments and observations, along with targeted recommendations for instruction and support. 

Source: Lowell, Susan C., et al. “Dyslexia Assessment: What It Is and How Can It Help?” International Dyslexia Association (IDA), 2020.

The assessment typically takes 1.5 to 2.5 hours to complete. Assessments are completed through Zoom or Google Meet. You will need access to a computer with a webcam, paper, and pencil. Please provide any prior academic, behavioral, social, or emotional evaluation records. To help ensure a focused environment, we ask that siblings and pets are kept outside of the room for the assessment. 

The cost of the dyslexia assessment is $250. Please note: Dyslexia evaluations are not covered by insurance. This includes a detailed written report outlining our findings, individualized recommendations to support learning at home and in school settings, and helpful resources. For students, the assessment can support applications for exam accommodations—when coordinated in advance with their school or college, guide IEP development, inform educational planning and placement decisions, and support families in due process hearings. Assessment results may also guide conversations about accommodations in the workplace. Reports are generally delivered to families within two weeks of the assessment.