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What is Dyslexia?

Dyslexia is an inherited neuro-biological learning difference that effects the ease with which an individual learns to read, write and spell. It is estimated that approximately 14% of us have one or more of the subcategories of dyslexia. Dyslexia is not related to IQ but students with this learning difference will find decoding and encoding more laborious than do non-dyslexic students. Early detection and appropriate intervention is key.

Dyslexia Screening Assessment $540

This 2½ hour screening assessment is designed to assess underlying cognitive-linguistic characteristics of phonological dyslexia, reading failure, spelling failure and dysgraphia. This does not constitute a comprehensive educational profile but provides an indication if further assessment or the commencement/continuation of targeted reading intervention is warranted.

 

An Irlen Screening for visual stress is included as part of the assessment. While Irlen Syndrome is not “Dyslexia”, it can exacerbate reading difficulties and is therefore included as part of the screening protocol. If the Student has already been screened for Visual Stress, $160 will be deducted from the Dyslexia Screening fee.

 

The tests administered during the assessment are appropriate for individuals aged 7 to 24 years of age. Testing components include:

  • Phonological Awareness

  • Working Memory

  • Rapid Automatic Naming

  • Single-Word Reading and Non-Word Reading

  • Reading Comprehension

  • Spelling, Capitalisation and Punctuation

  • Handwriting

  • Irlen Screening

 

Upon completion of the screening, a customised report will be created containing test results, summary of findings, and recommendations for appropriate therapeutic interventions, academic accommodations and/or testing provisions. With Client/Parent/Guardian consent, a copy of the report will also be emailed to the Student’s School/Tertiary Institution/Employer, and to any other nominated health professionals involved in the support and well-being of the individual.   

 

Prior to the appointment, there are forms to be completed including:

  1. Consent Form

  2. Questionnaire

  3. Self-Test for Irlen Syndrome.

 

Please send copies of reports completed previously by other professionals.  Examples of professional reports may include those from: School Counsellors, Educational Psychologists, Paediatricians, Speech Pathologists, Occupational Therapists, Audiologists, Optometrists or Irlen Diagnosticians. This is to ensure that individuals do not get over tested and that relevant information from previous reports can be included in the Dyslexia Screening report.

 

If prescription lenses/Irlen lenses are worn, please bring them to the appointment. If vision has not been checked within the last 18 months, it would be advisable to go to your local optometrist prior to the Dyslexia Screening appointment to determine whether, or not, a vision prescription is needed. If the optometrist deems a vision correction is necessary, ask the optometrist to write down the prescription but do not get the glasses made up immediately, in case an Irlen tint needs to be added.

What is Irlen Syndrome?  

Irlen Syndrome, also known as Scotopic Sensitivity and Visual Stress, is not related to the student’s need for an optical script. Irlen Syndrome affects the way the brain perceives and processes visual information due to a sensitivity to glare, certain refractions of light/colours, high contrast and some patterns. Irlen Syndrome can negatively impact and exacerbate reading fluency and reading comfort.

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Irlen Screening for Visual Stress $160

Please allow 60 minutes for the Irlen screening. If prescription lenses are worn, please bring them to the appointment. If vision has not been checked within the last 18 months, it would be advisable to go to your local optometrist, prior to the Irlen Screening appointment. If a vision correction is needed, ask the optometrist to write down the prescription for you and choose a pair of frames, but don’t get the glasses made up right away in case the Irlen Screening indicates a tint in the lenses would be beneficial.

 

Please bear in mind, that an Irlen Screening is the first step of a two-step process. The “Screening” measures the level of visual perceptual difficulty and/or discomfort when looking at black patterns and text on a white background. It also determines if an Irlen coloured overlay relieves or minimises visual perceptual difficulty. If it does, the student will be referred to an Irlen Clinic to complete the second part of the process, which determines the specific lens colour (or colour combination) needed. Please note that this second part of the process will involve further costs, which you will pay directly to your nominated Irlen Clinic.

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