Dyslexia Screeners: What's the Best Option?

Posted by Erica Warren on Apr 27, 2021

Finding the best dyslexia screener can be a vital step for schools as well as parents, but sifting through the many options can be time consuming and challenging. I began the rigorous process of evaluating 13 different options and found the experience both interesting and surprising. While some instruments offer Likert scale questionnaires, others assess a student's cognitive or achievement abilities. The two screeners (which will remain nameless) that I thought would likely be the best, were disappointingly inadequate. A table below illustrates a summary of my findings, and I will let you come to your own conclusions.

New Addition: The Dyslexia Type Remedial Assessment (DLTRA)

To further enhance the resources available, I am excited to introduce the Dyslexia Type Remedial Assessment (DLTRA). This web-based assessment is designed for individuals aged 7 and older and offers a detailed, customized report that can significantly aid in the early detection and remediation of dyslexia.

Key Features of the DLTRA:

Age Range: Suitable for individuals aged 7 and up.
Cost: Very affordable. The introductory price is $19.99.
Administration Time: About 10 minutes.
Test Type: Comprehensive, web-based with interactive elements.
Questionnaires and Assessments: Includes Likert scale questionnaire.
Who Takes the Test: Can be taken by the student/individual with dyslexia, under the guidance of a parent, teacher, or professional.
Research-Based: Grounded in clinical research with input from leading experts.
Measures: Evaluates the degree of symptoms reported.
No Required Training: Simple and user-friendly interface.
Score Provided: Provides a detailed report with and overall score (reporting the likelihood of a dyslexia diagnosis) as well as scores for each type of dyslexia. Then the report offers specific, targeted interventions, teaching recommendations and reasonable accommodations.
Engaging: Interactive and enjoyable for participants.
Monitors Progress: Offers a partner portal for comparisons.

The DLTRA embodies the features that make for an exceptional dyslexia screener and assessment:

Accessible: Available to both parents and teachers.
Direct Assessment: Administered directly to the student.
Engaging: Designed to maintain the child's attention.
Ease of Use: Simple to administer without extensive training.
Reputable: Developed by a trusted name in educational assessments.
Research-Based: Ensuring validity and reliability.
Comprehensive Reporting: Provides detailed findings and actionable recommendations.
Progress Monitoring: Tracks progress over time.

To learn more about the Dyslexia Type Remedial Assessment and well as Dr Warren's other remedial assessments CLICK HERE

The Table (below) Compares the 13 Resources by a Number of Factors:

Age: The age range of eligible participants.
Cost: The cost of the assessment/screener.
Administration Time: The time it takes to take the test.
Test Type: The format of the test.

Questionnaires: About half of the instruments were Likert scales that obtain participant's preferences or degree of agreement with a statement or set of statements. These instruments result in a total score that reflects a likelihood of an individual having dyslexia.
Assessments: A handful of instruments are administered by a trained teacher or professional and given directly to the student or individual.

Who Takes Test? Who takes the questionnaire or assessment? - the student/individual with dyslexia, the parent or a teacher.
Research: Whether there is reported research. Some questionnaires and assessments offer documented clinical research on their sites.
What Does it Measure? What cognitive, achievement or other areas are measured by the instrument. Not all the instruments reviewed are measuring the same variables. Some look at risk factors, while others are look and key cognitive processing areas or specific areas of achievement.
No Required Training: Although some instruments require no training at all, others require instruction or specific qualifications to even purchase the materials.
Score Provided: Some instruments provide a specific score that is placed on a continuum and has a documented meaning. Others just provide qualitative summaries.
Fun & Engaging: Whether the instrument is enjoyable for the test taker.
Monitors Progress: Whether the instrument monitors progress over time.
Normed: Whether the instrument compares scores against the performance of a statistically selected group of test takers who already took the test.