I would like my daughter to have a fully comprehensive assessment for dyslexia. Can you tell me how I go about this? Once I find an appropriate comprehensive test, does the testing body provide their own professional to administer it?  Or do I find a professional who uses their recommended test?

Dr. Pierson’s Response:

One option is to contact a professional who conducts assessments in a private setting. The professional will have the  appropriate tests based on your concerns and your daughter’s age; you will not need to find the test(s). For example, at my private clinical practice https://3-li.org/ where we conduct diagnostic assessments, we have many tests to choose from. There are certain ones that are a part of the core diagnostic battery, but then we also may add measures after talking with the parent(s) or based on how the student is performing during the assessment.

Here is what a comprehensive assessment entails https://dyslexiahelp.umich.edu/parents/learn-about-dyslexia/evaluation/comprehensive-dyslexia-evaluation/

and there is more information where that tab is housed.

I assume that your daughter has not undergone an assessment through the schools, which is another option, and no additional cost to you. Our tax dollars support this.

https://dyslexiahelp.umich.edu/parents/living-with-dyslexia/school/special-education-getting-started/

That said, more times than I’d like, students who do indeed have dyslexia are assessed by the school staff but do not meet the criteria for services under Specific Learning Disability. Here is a piece I wrote about that challenge: https://dyslexiahelp.umich.edu/ask-dr-pierson/why-doesnt-my-child-qualify-help-schools/.

You are on the right track – a comprehensive diagnostic assessment is the first step. https://dyslexiahelp.umich.edu/ask-dr-pierson/first-step-diagnostic-assessment/