Dyslexia Evaluations in West Des Moines, Iowa
CONCERNED ABOUT READING, SPELLING, OR WRITING?
- Does your child struggle to "sound out" words to read or spell?
- Have a hard time answering questions about a story, or telling the story back to you?
- Struggle with storytelling: telling vivid stories about their day or interesting events that happened to them?
- Feel like reading or writing is easier for everyone else?
They are in good company: 60% of students are below grade-level in their literacy skills. For up to 1 in 5 learners, aspects of language, reading, or writing are tough enough to be a language-based learning disorder. Kids with LBLD can have high (and sometimes even above average!) intelligence, but the way their brain is wired for language can significantly bottleneck success and confidence.
If you are concerned, it's time for an evaluation. We are here to help.
THE DYSLEXIA EVALUATION PROCESS
Let's meet online or in-office where a certified speech-language pathologist and dyslexia specialist will learn more about your child. We will need at least three hours of assessment to examine the entire continuum of spoken and written language. We work hard to make these "picture and talking games" feel fun.
We'll identify strengths and challenges, then write up a comprehensive and detailed report. Then, we meet again for up to an hour to discuss recommendations and form an action plan.
This evaluation can diagnose: dyslexia, developmental-language disorder, language-processing difficulties, speech sound disorder, and executive dysfunction. While we have a special interest in executive dysfunction and the interaction of ADHD and language/literacy, we cannot diagnose ADHD, general IQ, or math-related concerns.
We'll identify strengths and challenges, then write up a comprehensive and detailed report. Then, we meet again for up to an hour to discuss recommendations and form an action plan.
This evaluation can diagnose: dyslexia, developmental-language disorder, language-processing difficulties, speech sound disorder, and executive dysfunction. While we have a special interest in executive dysfunction and the interaction of ADHD and language/literacy, we cannot diagnose ADHD, general IQ, or math-related concerns.
FAQs
what areas exactly do you evaluate ?
Our evaluators have been vetted by the International Dyslexia Association.
To get a complete picture, we'll evaluate the following research-backed reading "hidden influencers":
We'll also evaluate the following outcome measures:
Additional add-on areas include:
To get a complete picture, we'll evaluate the following research-backed reading "hidden influencers":
- pre-literacy skills
- letter naming and knowledge
- phonological awareness
- morphological awareness
- rapid naming
- oral language skills
We'll also evaluate the following outcome measures:
- phonics (knowledge of mapping sounds to letters)
- decoding (sounding out words)
- encoding (spelling production)
- word attack
- fluency
- listening comprehension
- reading comprehension
- narrative discourse
Additional add-on areas include:
- Writing
- Speech sound production
CAN A SLP DIAGNOSE DYSLEXIA?
YES! Not every speech-language pathologist (SLP) has the extensive training outside of most graduate programs required to diagnose dyslexia. But for those who do: SLPs with extensive training in literacy make ideal professionals to work with reading disorders.
Awhile ago, an intelligence test was considered to be a necessary part of the evaluation of written language because the diagnosis of dyslexia was based on finding a significant difference between IQ and reading skill. Current regulations no longer require that such a discrepancy be present when making a diagnosis. This change came about because many studies have shown that intelligence is not the best predictor of how easily a student will develop written language (reading and spelling). Instead, oral language abilities (listening and speaking) are considered the best predictors of reading and spelling. Very intelligent kids can have dyslexia.
In addition, the development of speech and spoken language are critical when learning to read. Children who have a speech or language disorder are at increased risk for a reading disorder.
Read more here.
Awhile ago, an intelligence test was considered to be a necessary part of the evaluation of written language because the diagnosis of dyslexia was based on finding a significant difference between IQ and reading skill. Current regulations no longer require that such a discrepancy be present when making a diagnosis. This change came about because many studies have shown that intelligence is not the best predictor of how easily a student will develop written language (reading and spelling). Instead, oral language abilities (listening and speaking) are considered the best predictors of reading and spelling. Very intelligent kids can have dyslexia.
In addition, the development of speech and spoken language are critical when learning to read. Children who have a speech or language disorder are at increased risk for a reading disorder.
Read more here.
DO YOU OFFER SCREENINGS?
On the fence about an evaluation? We offer free community screening events throughout the year and in-office by appointment for a nominal fee.
WHAT IF I'M NOT CONCerNED WIth reADING, JUST WRITING?
Written language disorders can often manifest in later grades, when writing demands become too hard to mask. Contact Meg about a specific "writing" and language evaluation.
DOES INSURANCE COVER AN EVALUATION ?
Insurance coverage varies. Some plans will cover the entire evaluation, and some cover a portion or none at all. It is important to reach out to your particular plan with specific codes provided by Meg to learn about coverage.
If we are not an in-network provider with your plan, we are happy to provide super-bills for you to submit to insurance directly.
If we are not an in-network provider with your plan, we are happy to provide super-bills for you to submit to insurance directly.
