What are dyslexia tests like for a 15 yr old?

Question

I have suspicioned my 15 yr old is dyslexic for years, and finally convinced his dad to have him formally tested. They told me the tests would be 3 hours long. My son is nervous and I don't know how to prepare him for it.

Second, my son's particular problems are in processing info. He has difficulty reading, spelling, and writing is especially hard. He can tell you an answer orally, but to write it down? Nope. Also the "scan-tron" tests where you fill in the bubble are almost impossible for him. He does fine if he's allowed to put the answer right in the test booklet. Anyone else agree this sounds highly suspicious for dyslexia or any other ideas on what it might be?

Answer 1

I found out I had dyslexia when I was in 2nd grade.  I wrote 3s backwords and had a hard time spelling simple words.  English was my hardest class.  I'd have to read something 3 or 4 times to understand what it was about.  I am now 28.

If the school is not welling to do anything, look into getting a lawyer.  Poor School or not, they should have tested him long ago.

Tell him good luck, don't be nervous.  Some parts of the test arern't bad.  There kind oof fun.  Thats if they haven't changed since the last time I was tested.

Answer 2

Try these websites:

http://www.ldonline.org/indepth/evaluati...

http://www.ldonline.org/ldbasics/signs

I think most tests for learning disabilities are similar to IQ tests.  The person asks a question and your son will answer it if he can.  If he has an LD, there will be things he does terribly on and that is OK because that is how they will diagnose him.

It does sound like he could have dyslexia.  If he does get that diagnosis, you will be able to get modifications for him at school including audio books, test-taking assistance, etc.  My brother-in-law was diagnosed with dyslexia when he was in middle school and now he is a school psychologist.  The assistance he got was extremely beneficial to him.  Good luck!

Answer 3

Dyslexia is a basket term for having a specific learning disability that affects reading and is thought to be language based.

A specific learning disability is a neurological disorder. The person's brain is wired differently and though he or she may be as smart as anyone else, they have trouble with reading, writing, organizing and remembering.  

The testing is done on a one to one basis by the school psychologist. It isn't anything to be scared of because as soon as your son gets three in a row wrong on most of the tests, that test will stop. Some of the activities are kind of fun. There are sequence cards to put in order, puzzles to make and drawings to copy, etc. Most kids enjoy the testing to some degree.

Your son probably has visual motor integration deficits. This specific learning disability makes it hard for your son to transfer information in writing from one place to another. He probably also has problems copying from the board or overhead.

He also may have visual processing and visual memory deficits. These cause retrieval problems and affect his ability to mentally manipulate ideas in his mind.

If your son does have these or other learning disabilities, he should be offered an IEP or 504 plan to provide accommodations for the disability. To find out more about these, go to the Wright's Law website. The more you know about your rights as a parent of a special needs child, the better off you will be.

Answer 4

It sounds to me as if your son may have dysgraphia, as well as dyslexia.  Generally, the tests used are the WISC-R (an IQ test), achievement batteries such as the Woodcock-Johnson-III, Kaufmann, WIAT, &/or Peabody.  If your son does have either (or both) dyslexia or dysgraphia, rest assured that he can be helped.  Typically, when a student has dysgraphia, they are given the accomodation of dictation to scribe.  

You need to read your state's exceptional children website.  If you live in the U.S., just Google: (state's abbreviation) department of public instruction, then find the EC site.  Read everything you can.  

You have the legal right to take someone else with you to the IEP meeting. (friend, family, attorney, etc.)  Know your rights before you attend the meeting!

Tell your son just to relax & do the best he can.  The psychologist tests kids on a daily basis.  This is just routine work to them, & they are not there to pass judgement.  Trust me, they have already seen much greater problems than his.

You have made a wise decision.  Good luck to you & your son.

Answer 5

I can't tell you if your kid is dyslexic, but I can tell you if he isn't.

  Go to www.geocities.com/carjug , and make him read the color coded poems for 15 minutes. If he enjoys the site, then he does not have developmental dyslexia.

   Go to www.interdys.org, and read some of the old comments in the discussion forum. Letters like yours are ultra-common from 2nd grade on up. Lurk a little before you ask your questions.

carjug at yahoo.com