First a personal observation of the individual in question is extremely helpful. If several indicative factors are present in the observed individual then it should definitely be considered that they may need a private evaluation. These indicative factors are; difficulty with reading and spelling activities despite proven intelligence and capability, the reversing or flipping of letters or numbers by the subject, a consistent poor written work quality despite proven oral language skills, difficulty with math or sequencing, difficulty telling time on a clock with hands, or poor time management skills. If three or more of these indicators are present then further evaluation should be seriously considered.

In a private evaluation there are six basic components to be evaluated by the specialist. First, he will attempt to establish a genetic link through a search of the family histories. Second, they will administer and evaluate a battery of reading tests and exercises. Third, they will test for spelling difficulties in a variety of ways and fashions. Fourth, they will test the subjects comprehension abilities, most likely in both an oral and written fashion to better compare and contrast their strengths and weaknesses. Fifth, they will test for direction confusion, essentially the flipping and reversing of letters by the test subject. Sixth, the math and sequencing skills of the person in question will be put to the test. Again this is likely to be done in both a written and oral fashion to better contrast the subjects strengths and weaknesses. All this is in addition to any other testing required by the specialist to attempt to evaluate this elusive and often mis-diagnosed condition.

School testing is all but a pipe dream, and where testing is required for learning disabilities nine-out-of-ten children with dyslexia are not severely enough effected by their condition to be considered learning impaired by the school systems standards.

In testing for dyslexia it must always be remembered that there is no one test that can provide an absolute diagnosis. However, with an approximate 40 million effected Americans, testing is obviously important and advance warning of the condition is invaluable to both adult and child alike.