Dyslexia Assessment

The Tests of Dyslexia (TOD) Assessment includes an Early Assessment (ages 5-6) and a Comprehensive Assessment (ages 6-adult). The TOD identifies the risk and probability of dyslexia in individuals ages 5 to 89 years. The TOD also provides instruction and intervention recommendations based on assessment results. The assessments include 9-23 subtests (depending on the individual’s age and the need) to look diagnostically at the individual’s literacy profile. Individuals in grades K-1 will likely participate in fewer subtests, while those in grades 2 to adulthood will participate in more subtests.   

A clinical diagnosis of dyslexia can typically be made by a Licensed Psychologist, Neuropsychologist, and Qualified Diagnosticians with advanced training in reading disabilities (this can vary by state licensing boards). In Tennessee, CALTs can perform reading evaluations such as the TOD-C and provide recommended interventions. Assessment results can be shared with a clinical diagnostician to complete a full academic evaluation.

Contact NikiRichardson@tndyslexiaalliance.com for current assessment rates.

TOD-Early Assessment Information: 

  • Duration: Approximately 45-60 minutes (with breaks given as needed)

  • Grades: Kindergarten and First Grades (ages 5-6)

  • Parents/caregivers complete rating form

  • Teacher completes rating form

  • Student completes a self-rating form

  • Detailed assessment report 

  • 1 hour assessment results phone call with parent/caregiverResults provide a probability of dyslexia, as well as in-depth knowledge of the student's foundational literacy skills. This knowledge can be used to design and support literacy instruction for the student. The findings can also be taken to a psychologist to add to a full psychological evaluation if desired. 

TOD-Comprehensive Assessment Information: 

  • Duration: Approximately 2 to 2.5 hours with breaks given as needed

  • Grades: First Grade - Adulthood

  • Ages: 6-adult

  • Parents/caregivers complete rating form

  • Teacher completes rating form

  • Individual completes a self-rating form

  • 1 hour assessment results phone call with parent/caregiver/individual

  • Comprehensive assessment results report 

  • Results provide a probability of dyslexia, as well as in-depth knowledge of the individual’s foundational literacy skills. This knowledge can be used to design and support literacy instruction for the student. The findings can also be taken to a psychologist to add to a full psychological evaluation if desired. 

Signs of Dysgraphia:

Dysgraphia Screening

  • general illegible writing despite appropriate time and attention given to the task

  • Inconsistencies in format: mixtures of print and cursive, upper and lower-case, irregular sizes, shapes, or slant of letters

  • Unfinished words or letters, omitted letters

  • Inconsistent position on page with respect of lines and margins

  • Inconsistent spaces between words and letters

  • Cramped or unusual grip, holding the writing instrument very close tot he paper or holding thumb over two fingers and writing from the wrist

  • Strange wrist, body, paper position

  • Talking to self while writing, or carefully watching the hand that is writing

  • Slow or labored copying or writing, even if it is neat and legible

  • Content which does not reflect the student’s other language skills

What is the Test of Handwriting Skills-Revised (THS-R)?

The Test of Handwriting Skills–Revised (THS-R) provides a standardized look at an individual’s handwriting skills and performance compared with other individuals of the same age. The THS-R is an untimed assessment of manuscript and cursive handwriting. It can be administered to students ages 6 through 18 years old and take approximately 10-15 minutes to complete. The assessment includes the following tasks:

  • Writing upper- and lower-case letters spontaneously from memory 

  • Writing upper- and lower-case letters from dictation

  • Writing single-digit numbers from dictation

  • Copying select letters, words, and sentences

  • Writing select words from dictation

Results can help identify areas of difficulty with handwriting, including letter formation, writing from memory and dictation, copying, writing accuracy, and writing efficiency. The results can also provide helpful information when considering classroom accommodations, handwriting intervention, occupational therapy, assistive technology, or additional evaluation. The THS-R is one component of a comprehensive evaluation. It does not, by itself, determine the cause of an individual’s writing difficulties or provide a diagnosis of dysgraphia.