It is not possible for doctors to diagnose dyslexia with the help of one test. The doctor studies the medical history of the child, mulls over the observations of the parents and teachers prior to placing questions before the child. Tests in reading and different kinds of assessments are also undertaken before the doctor can come to a conclusion about the skills of the child. For instance the tests may concentrate on the personality traits, learning style, language and skills related to solving problems of the child. The IQ would also be tested.

Dyslexia would be diagnosed only after it is absolutely certain that the child is not suffering from any other problem that is causing him to have difficulty in reading – a situation that might tell on the cognitive progress of the child.

Dyslexia is ascertained only when there is proof that the child has acute problems with reading, that it is not because of below average intelligence or deficiency in seeing and hearing or any other kind of adverse physical condition. It is also noted if the child lacked the opportunity to pursue studies.

The child’s general health will be ascertained by the doctor and cognitive progress gauge. The educational skills and capabilities of the child together with his social history will be taken. For instance it will be found out if the child had suffered any injury to the brain that could have caused to interfere with his general progress in reading, writing and memorizing.

The most important tests are those that are time bound. Some of the tests that assist doctors and professionals to diagnose dyslexia are enumerated below.

1.  The WISC (Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children) is mainly a verbal intelligence test and does not require either reading or spelling.

2.  The Woodcock-Johnson Psycho-educational Battery-Revised test that measures the cognitive and thinking capabilities.

3.  The K-ABC (Kaufman Assessment Battery for children) that gauges the reading and intelligence of the child.