Checklists for dyslexia

There are many types of learning disability of which dyslexia is only one. In some cases of disability, diagnosis can be difficult. Only a full psychological assessment will determine if any child or adult is dyslexic - but there are pointers.

The main problems are:

•    poor sequencing skills;
•    poor auditory discrimination and memory;
•    poor visual discrimination and memory;
•    poor short term memory;
•    poor self confidence.

Ages 7-11If the answer to most of the following questions is 'Yes' it would be wise to seek advice from your local Dyslexia Action Centre.

•    Is s/he bright in some ways with a 'block' in others?
•    Is there anyone else in the family with similar difficulties?
•    Does s/he have difficulty carrying out three instructions in sequence?
•    Was s/he late in learning to talk, or with speaking clearly?
•    Does s/he have particular difficulty with reading or spelling?
•    Does s/he put figures or letters the wrong way e.g. 15 for 51, 6 for 9, b for d, was for saw?
•    Does s/he read a word then fail to recognise it further down the page?
•    Does s/he spell a word several different ways without recognising the correct version?
•    Does s/he have a poor concentration span for reading and writing?
•    Does s/he have difficulty understanding time and tense?
•    Does s/he confuse left and right?
•    Does s/he answer questions orally but have difficulty writing the answer?
•    Is s/he unusually clumsy?
•    Does s/he have trouble with sounds in words, e.g. poor sense of rhyme?

download a copy of the childrens_checklist.pdf

Ages 12 – adultIf the answer to most of the following questions is 'Yes' it would be wise to seek advice from your local Dyslexia Action Centre:

•    Are you bright in some ways with a 'block' in others?
•    Is there anyone else in the family with similar difficulties?
•    Do you have difficulty carrying out three instructions in sequence?
•    Were you late in learning to talk, or with speaking clearly?
•    Are you sometimes inaccurate in reading?
•    Is your spelling poor?
•    Do you have difficulty taking notes or copying?
•    Do you have difficulty with planning and writing essays, letters or reports?

Download a copy of the adult_checklist.pdf