| Introduction | | | | difficulties. If you have devised ways to lessen their |
| There are so many questions that are being asked | | | | impact and you are managing OK, then perhaps there |
| about a dyslexic test. Testing is a real source of | | | | is no reason to have an official diagnosis. If however, |
| interest or concern to lots of people. It is hardly | | | | your life is incredibly tough because of these difficulties, |
| surprising really when you consider how beneficial a | | | | then a diagnosis is essential as it will help you |
| clear diagnosis of dyslexia will be to those that are | | | | emotionally and practically. |
| affected. In response to that, I have decided to write | | | | 5. I am an adult. I have just been diagnosed with |
| another article in which I provide more answers to | | | | dyslexia. Should my employer help me? |
| everybody's basic concerns! I really hope that the | | | | In both the USA and the UK employers are duty |
| questions that are answered in this article are the | | | | bound to provide additional support to people with |
| same questions that you have whizzing through your | | | | dyslexia. It is an essential part of each country's |
| mind. | | | | disability laws. It helps if you have been honest about |
| 1. What Happens in a Dyslexia Test? | | | | your dyslexia from the time that you joined the firm or |
| For the purposes of this answer we will presume that | | | | the time that you were diagnosed with it. Employers |
| you are taking it in front of a psychologist, although | | | | need to support employees with dyslexia because |
| there are alternatives. The test will take anywhere | | | | otherwise they are breaking the law but also, it is only |
| between four and six hours. Ideally you will complete | | | | with additional support that you can carry out your |
| the test in one day- but again, you might have options. | | | | work duties satisfactorily. |
| There will be lots of breaks within this time. A dyslexic | | | | 6. I have just been diagnosed with borderline dyslexia. |
| test is actually a series of smaller separate tests that | | | | What does it mean? |
| assess a wide range of your abilities. | | | | As a result of a dyslexic test, you have been shown |
| 2. Is there a Free Internet Test? | | | | to have a very mild form of dyslexia. You might just |
| Put simply, yes there are free tests on the Internet. | | | | confuse two letters in your reading or spelling (instead |
| However, these will not be able to diagnose you but | | | | of confusing ten). The good news is that with relatively |
| can only highlight dyslexia as a possibility. These tests | | | | little extra work on your part, you should be able to |
| are very short and so they cannot be taken too | | | | overcome the difficulties that you face. The diagnosis |
| seriously. | | | | has helped you because it has pinpointed your exact |
| 3. What Support Can My Child with Dyslexia Receive | | | | difficulties. |
| in Exams? | | | | 7. What happens after a diagnosis of dyslexia? |
| Children, with an official diagnosis of dyslexia (and with | | | | You are entitled to more support. This is particularly |
| an official statement detailing these needs) are entitled | | | | true for children. A diagnosis should provide a fairly |
| to extra support in exams. For some children, this may | | | | detailed list of your specific difficulties. Legally, if there is |
| mean extra time and for other children it might entail | | | | consensus, these difficulties need to supported. |
| having a scribe- an adult who a child dictates to in an | | | | Otherwise you have no chance of fulfilling your |
| exam. | | | | potential and that is not in the best interest of the |
| 4. I am an adult. I think I am dyslexic- should I get | | | | school or the state (if you are a child) or your |
| tested? | | | | employer (if you are an adult. |
| I think this depends how you are coping with your | | | | |