Dyslexia Testing: Understanding Reading Difficulties in Children
Discover how insights from Dr. Sally Shaywitz’s Overcoming Dyslexia can help you spot early signs of reading difficulties and understand the value of dyslexia testing.
What Every Parent Should Know About Dyslexia and Reading Difficulties in Children
If your child is struggling to read, you’re not alone—and you’re not without answers. Thanks to decades of research we now know that reading difficulties in children often have a clear cause—and that with early dyslexia testing, we can identify and support children effectively.
What is Dyslexia?
Dyslexia is a specific learning disability that is neurobiological in origin. It reflects a difference in how the brain processes written language, particularly with phonological processing—the ability to break words into their sound components. Importantly, dyslexia is not correlated with intelligence. It’s often a paradox how bright children unexpectedly struggle to read.
Early Signs of Dyslexia
Recognizing the early signs of dyslexia can make a big difference. The brain is most receptive to reading intervention in early elementary years while it’s still growing and making lots of new neural connections. Here are some key early warning signs to look for:
Delayed speaking or mispronouncing words
Difficulty recognizing rhyming patterns or word sounds
Struggles with naming letters or remembering sequences (like days of the week)
Avoidance of reading, despite strong storytelling or conversational skills
Family history of reading challenges
Why Early Dyslexia Testing is Critical
Waiting for a child to “catch up” can be harmful. The “wait to fail” model delays essential support. Instead, early dyslexia testing through a comprehensive psychological and educational evaluation allow us to:
Identify dyslexia before a child falls too far behind their peers
Understand the child’s unique learning profile
Begin science-based interventions that build essential reading skills
Reading problems are often the result of how a child processes language, not motivation, effort, or instruction quality. Accurate diagnosis is the first step toward effective progress.
Common Myths About Dyslexia
Myth: Dyslexia means reading backwards.
Reality: Dyslexia is a difficulty with phonemic (sound) awareness and decoding—not vision. Letter reversals can happen, but dyslexia involves deeper issues with sound processing.
Myth: Dyslexia is rare.
Reality: About 1 in 5 people are affected by dyslexia making it one of the most common learning differences.
Myth: Only teachers can spot it.
Reality: Parents often notice signs first, especially if there’s a family history.
How We Can Help
At Bloom Testing, we offer comprehensive psychological and educational evaluations grounded in the latest science—including the methods and insights shared by Dr. Shaywitz. Our dyslexia testing assesses phonological processing, reading fluency, and cognitive strengths to give you a full understanding of your child’s learning needs.
We don’t just test—we help guide the next steps, whether that’s school accommodations, tutoring recommendations, or interventions plans.
Next Steps for Parents
If you suspect dyslexia or have concerns about reading difficulties in your child, trust your instincts. Early intervention is a gift you can give your child.
Contact us today to schedule a comprehensive evaluation. Let’s uncover your child’s strengths and support their journey toward confident and joyful reading.
