The dyslexia it is a problem of neurobiological origin associated with learning to read and write. It is a learning disorder that prevents the correct reading of words and can involve problems in spelling and writing and a delay in learning to read and write. There are several tests to detect dyslexia. For example: EDIL, DST-J or Prolec-R.
Even if it has no cure, dyslexia can be treated with different techniques and the help of teachers and tutors. Although it is currently detected in childhood (after the child’s schooling), it can be diagnosed in adult life, so there are treatments for children and adults with dyslexia.
It is an alteration that does not imply vision problems or indicate that the person has an intelligence problem. Their symptom they can vary according to each individual, in certain cases, dyslexia is associated with comprehension problems, long-term memory problems and difficulty distinguishing the right from the left.
Examples of tests for dyslexia
There are several tests to detect dyslexia. It is important to mention that they are for guidance only and the intervention and diagnosis of a professional is always recommended.
- Piaget and Head Assessment Tests
These tests are used to perform a body schema recognition of the child and can be used before specific tests to screen for dyslexia.
Some exercises include tests to evaluate the use of the right or left side, the execution of movements, psychomotor skills and spatial orientation.
- Harris test
Many specialists argue that dyslexia may be related to laterality, that is, a predilection for the use of the right or left part of the body and, more precisely, with crossed laterality.
To detect laterality, the Harris test is used, which is characterized by having short and attractive exercises. The most representative are:
- Dominance of one hand. The child is asked to imitate with his hands: how he throws a ball, how he brushes his teeth, how he drives a nail, how he sharpens a pencil, how he cuts a paper, how he writes and how he cuts with a knife.
- One foot dominance. The child is asked to perform the following tests: write a letter with his foot, hop on one foot, turn on one foot, or go up and down a step with one foot.
- Dominance of one eye. The child is asked to observe through a telescope or kaleidoscope.
- Dominance of one ear. The child / children are asked to listen by bringing their ear close to the wall or the ground.
- Bender test
An assessment of the spatial-temporal perception of the child through a gestalt test called the Bender test.
The child must have a pencil and paper and must copy some geometric figures that are presented on nine white postcard-size cards. This test must be provided by a specialist.
- DST-J
This type of test is applied in children between 6 and 11 years old to detect dyslexia. Its mode of application is individual and should last between 25 and 45 minutes.
It is made up twelve parts which are: name test, coordination test, reading test, posture stability test, phonemic segmentation test, rhyme test, dictation test, reverse placed digit test, nonsense reading test, test copy, verbal fluency test and semantic or vocabulary fluency test.
- MAYOR
It is a type of test used to assess literacy.
It is intended for children and consists of several reading tests that analyze three aspects: speed, accuracy and comprehension.
- TCP
The Comprehension Processes Test allows evaluating the reading processes in children between 6 and 16 years of age through various tests.
- Prolec-R
It is a test that seeks to understand the reading tour done by each reader in order to identify where the difficulty comes from.
It consists of letter and word identification tests and syntactic and semantic processes for both written and oral comprehension. It is used in children from 6 to 12 years old.
- Prolec-SE-R
It is a test that allows detecting dyslexia in adolescents between 12 and 18 years old. It is made up thirteen tests to measure the lexical, semantic and syntactic processes of an individual.
- TALE
It is a literacy test that is applied to children to determine in which area the difficulty occurs and to assess whether or not it is dyslexia.
The reading subtest It consists of tests of: letter reading, syllable reading, word reading, text reading and reading comprehension.
The writing subtest It consists of tests of: dictation, copying and spontaneous writing.
- Specific dyslexia diagnostic test (TEDE)
It is a test consisting of several exercises to assess the individual’s reading level. Some are:
- Letters name. Different letters are placed and the person is asked to indicate the name of each one.
- Sound of letters. Different letters are placed and the person is asked to make their sound.
- Syllables of the letter. Different letters are placed and the person is asked to name the syllable.
- Simple sounding consonant syllables. Letters that form syllables are placed and the person is asked to read them.