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Step 1: Diagnose
Diagnosing Dyslexia and Other Reading Problems
Our online diagnostic reading evaluations are research-based and effective in determining the nature of a reading problem.
Children have difficulty learning to read for many reasons. One needs to understand the problem. Our diagnostic evaluations identify the possibilities.
- Diagnostic evaluations available Kindergarten through Adult
- An evaluation involves 5 to 8 different tests
- System generates a detailed personal report based on testing and background info
- Report design permits easy reading by a non-professional such as a parent
- One can recall the report at any later time
- All you need is a modern browser and an internet connection
How does RSL determine what the problem is?
RSL sorts out the different possibilities is by measuring both response time and accuracy in all evaluation tests.
The response time indicates how automatic a skill is. Thinking takes time. To be a good reader one must be both fast and accurate when reading.
- System uses both response time and accuracy to determine skill level on each task
- Typically a student performs better on some tasks than others
- Different problems produce distinct performance patterns on the evaluation tests
- Which tasks have good/poor performance indicates what the problem likely is
- The system compares student performance to other students in the same grade
What are the Reading Tests Performed in a Diagnostic Evaluation?
The tasks involved in the testing depend on the child’s grade. For younger grades there is an emphasis on phonological and phonemic awareness. All tests are grade appropriate.
Kindergarten – Grade 1
- Reaction Time
- Letter Naming
- Rhyming
- Initial Phoneme
- Final Phoneme
Grade 2
- Reaction Time
- Letter Naming
- Initial Phoneme
- Final Phoneme
- Grade 2 Word Naming
- Grade 2 Sentences
- Grade 2 Listening Comprehension
- Grade 2 Reading Comprehension
Grade 3 – Adult
- Reaction Time
- Letter Naming
- Word Naming
- Nonsense Word Naming
- Word Meaning
- Sentence Understanding
- Listening Comprehension
- Reading Comprehension
How Does RSL Measure Response Time and Accuracy?
A unique aspect of RSL testing is that we measure both the response time and accuracy for each test item. The more one has to think the longer it takes. Fast indicates automatic.
With most tasks the student responds by speaking out loud and pressing SPACEBAR simultaneously. Other tasks require an onscreen button click. For those tasks response time is less critical.
- A test item appears starting an internal stopwatch
- Student mentally forms his/her response
- Student immediately speaks the response and presses SPACEBAR or clicks onscreen button
- SPACEBAR press or button click stops internal stopwatch measuring response time
- Spoken responses are scored for accuracy by the test administrator
- Responses requiring onscreen button clicks are automatically scored
Fluency – A Combination of Response Time and Accuracy
RSL combines response time and accuracy into a single measure we call fluency. Fluent readers are both fast and accurate. Fluency is the key to being a good reader.
When fluency is missing the reader is typically slow and inaccurate. Comprehension typically suffers as a consequence.
- Fluency is combination of speed and accuracy
- Fluency is highest when both fast and accurate
- Fluency is lowest when slow and inaccurate
- For each evaluation task an average fluency score is calculated
- This fluency score is compared to fluency scores of others in the same grade
- Comparisons are expressed as a PERCENTILE. highest=99 lowest=1 average=50
The Report – Testing Results
Upon completion of a diagnostic evaluation the system generates and displays a comprehensive report. This report is personalized and individualized based on results of testing and background information entered. No two reports are the same. The report can be printed and is always available for future viewing. View Sample Report
Report sections include:
- Background Information
- Reading Success Lab Tests
- Questionnaire Interpretation
- Diagnostic Test Results
- Diagnostic Test Interpretation
- Intervention Plan
- Next Steps
- Additional Resources