What are percentile ranks and how are they used to measure Dyslexia?

Question

Just wondering how to use percentile? I take it that the higher refers to a person who is good at something and the lower refers to more work that is needed.... ??

Answer 1

Percentile points are a quick way to see how a child compares to the average.  Out of 100 children, if your child scores 51, there will be 49 children reading better than him and 50 children not reading as well.  

The Learning Support Service (in UK schools) provide an extra 1 hour intensive reading lesson if your child has a centile of less than 6.  I do not know if you can get LSS support privately if your child has a higher score, but it is very valuable - enquire with the school.

Answer 2

You got it! Typically, when scores start falling below the 25th percentile suggest that this may be an area of weakness for the student. So in other words, if the student's reading comprehension is in the 13th percentile, this may be something to investigate further to see if reading is indeed a significant weakness and therefore needs interventions. Also, while many people believe that dyslexia is letter reversal, dyslexia simply refers to an inability to read (reading disability).