Screen for common signs such as slow reading, frequent word reversals, spelling difficulties, and trouble sounding out words
Review developmental, school, and family history for reading and language difficulties
Test phonological awareness, decoding, fluency, spelling, and reading comprehension
Assess rapid naming, working memory, and verbal processing skills
Compare reading performance with age and grade expectations
Rule out vision, hearing, attention, and language disorders
Use standardized reading and literacy assessments
Evaluate academic impact across school, work, and daily tasks
Have a psychologist, neuropsychologist, educational specialist, or speech-language pathologist perform the evaluation
Obtain a formal diagnosis only after a comprehensive assessment
Seek help from a school psychologist, pediatrician, or licensed clinician for referral and testing