Test For Dyslexia

Test For Dyslexia Online

Mar 062010

Why use a test for dyslexia online? (A bit of a history lesson here!)

The printed script has been subject to many changes over the centuries. For example, punctuation was not introduced until the 9th century. Unlike our ancestors we can now try out a test for dyslexia online (carry on here, or CLICK HERE or the image on your left to go straight there).

From the written text developed by the Mesopotamians, texts have progressed through several different alphabets and taken a mere 500 years to reach its present form.

Reading began as a somewhat privileged ability, and the need to read only increased as world trade increased from around the 13th century. Due to the growth of the printing presses in the 15th century, written texts then became more available for everyone.

There are many different types of texts across the world of varying difficulty and English is certainly not one of the easiest to master. However, for those with a reading deficit it can be even harder.

Although dyslexia can be acquired through an accident or a condition that affects how the brain functions, it is more likely to be of a developmental nature that is gradually observed from childhood.

Children with such a reading deficit are often unfairly labelled as disruptive and difficult. This leads to the child beginning to believe they actually are unless they are lucky enough to have parents who know what they are talking about and who are willing to push for the child’s rights. Thankfully now, the majority of teachers are aware of dyslexia and try their best to help within the limits of their time, knowledge and budget.

Unfortunately for many adults, they have had to grow up with the problem, and this can lead to low self-esteem etc. Just remember though, there are many famous and wealthy dyslexics such as Richard Branson for example!

If you have difficulty reading and think you may be dyslexic, you can do tests for dyslexia online.

Over time, this site will go into more depth about the different types of dyslexia as we support an individual differences approach and recognise that not everyone’s problems are the same. So come back to tests for dyslexia to find out more such as what is the best font, size of text, colour of background etc.

If you would like to try out a test for dyslexia online, you can find one HERE. Not free I’m afraid, but it will give you an idea of the tasks that would be involved in any formal assessment etc. Unless you are still in education, the fees for a formal assessment can be quite high. Added to that you may feel more embarressed being face-to-face with someone and worried that you are wasting your time and money, this seems like a great option.

If you get a positive from this test, you will know that there is a very strong likelihood that you should get that formal assessment done and need not feel embarressed as it is highly likely to be positive as well. Once you have done that, you can begin to move forward, stop worrying and do something about it.

Good luck!

Online Adult Test for Dyslexia

test for dyslexia No Responses »

Mar 122010

If you are hesitant to find out about whether you have a reading problem for fear of feeling uncomfortable, then try the adult test for dyslexia on the left that is specifically designed for those over 16 years of age and based on sound scientific research.

The authors have spent years over its development and are very knowledgeable and up-to-date about dyslexia. In fact, I am personally aware of the primary author, Dr John Everatt, who is an expert in this field. Given the length of time and energy that has gone into the development of this test, I’m afraid it is not free. However, when compared to the cost of a private one-to-one assessment it is a great deal cheaper!

The test for dyslexia was developed over a period of several years from data collected from thousands of people. The results are claimed to be very accurate and you can complete the task online and get your results immediately based on your performance. No hanging around, no feeling uncomfortable doing tasks in front of someone else.

You will also benefit from several pages of results and advice on what to do next.

Although not free, you need to remember that the cost is a great deal less than any standard one-on-one assessment. Add to that, you won’t feel as embarrassed as you won’t be face-to-face with your assessor (although you should not feel this way), and you will see why this comprehensive online test for dyslexia is worth the money. Most of the freebies you can find online may give you a very basic idea, but can not go into enough depth to give you any real answers.

Similar tests are used for screening dyslexia in adults from many walks of life, including some prisons. This is because for whatever reason, a high percentage of people convicted of crime appear to have a reading deficit of some kind and testing has proved useful and beneficial in the long term.

If you would like to have a go at this test for dyslexia or just check it out, go and have a look by CLICKING HERE.

Journey Into Dyslexia – The Documentary

Other dyslexia related No Responses »

May 302011

In an archive post at businessweek.com there is a report of a study of 102 successful entrepreneurs in the United States. The most striking co-incidence among them is that 35% of them said they were dyslexic. When you compare this to the ‘normal’ rate of 10%, that is incredible.

The study was conducted by Julie Logan in 2007 and also revealed that this same 35% were the most likely to own multiple companies, employ more staff and were more able to delegate tasks.

The success of these dyslexic entrepreneurs was accredited to the way they grew up with dyslexia and the accompanying problems. Finding it hard to read and absorb information, dyslexics quickly learn to seek the most vital information and learn it, they rely less on having to go back and read something again. The other skill required is to be able to trust others, and reliance on others is important when building a business.

There is now a new documentary being aired called “journey into Dyslexia” that profiles dyslexics from different backgrounds. It recounts their struggle through school and how they managed to compensate for their problems as adults. The aim is to look at people’s misperceptions of dyslexia and the implications it holds in the business world and outside of it.

The documentary has been made by successful filmmakers, Alan and Susan Raymond and has just been aired on HBO2 and will be available On Demand until June 5th.

IMHO, this is a remarkable and enlightening piece of work and illustrates nicely the difficulties that growing dyslexics have as children. They are almost forced into thinking along different lines and in developing alternative strategies to cope with their difficulties. It is likely this ability to develop and switch strategies is instrumental in their success in the business world.

You will find other reports of compensated dyslexics on this website. Just pop the term into the search box. For more on this documentary, visit the film maker’s website at http://videoverite.tv/pages/film-JID-about.html

Am I Dyslexic?

Signs and Symptoms of Dyslexia No Responses »

Apr 062011

Well, if you are reading this and asking ‘am I dyslexic’, then it’s a possibility you are! However, to be sure, you need to get yourself tested since this reading deficit was often overlooked in children beginning reading instruction even by Masters in Education in elementary school and beyond. I’m afraid although the freebies may give you an idea of what to look for which is useful, to be truly clear, you need a professional consultation. The primary reason for this is that we are all different, and although dyslexia is a global term, it has many sub-types that manifest in different ways. It should then come as no surprise that the way that dyslexics may be helped will also differ. There is little point trying to get someone to do the backstroke when they can’t swim! Same with dyslexia remediation programs, they need to be tailored to the individual.

Here, we are just going to give you a selection of some of the possible signs of dyslexia that may seem out of the ordinary.

1. Do you make a lot of mistakes when writing cheques?
2. When making a phone call, do you often mix the numbers up when you dial and/or find it difficult to take messages and record them correctly?
3. Are you a bad speller?
4. Do you frequently find yourself mixing up dates and times and miss appointments.
5. Do you avoid filling out forms as you find them confusing?
6. Do you think you take longer to read a page in a book than other people?
7. Did you find learning your multiplication tables really hard?
8. Can you recite the months of the year out loud and fluently?
9. When reading long words, do you find it hard to get the correct sounds and to get them in the right order?
10. When following directions, do you find it difficult to tell your left from your right?
11. Can you do simple sums in your head without resorting to using your fingers?

So, “am I dyslexic”? If you answer ‘yes’ to the majority of the above, then this is likely.

Please remember this is only a quick dyslexia screening test, it is not a professional assessment and only indicates a pre-disposition towards dyslexia. Of some interest is that many online RN to BSN programs are now stressing the importance of having nurses know the symptoms of dyslexia in grade school children, this is to help prevent any long term educational losses.

The next step should be a professional assessment that you can get via many local education departments or via a dyslexia organisation. They won’t be cheap I’m afraid, and if they offer a remediation program, that won’t be cheap either.

However, if you are still worried about taking that step and want a little more confirmation first, try one of the online dyslexia tests that you have to pay for. The reason for this is that some of these online tests have a lot more research behind them and have been developed by accredited professionals in the field. One such test can be found by CLICKING HERE. These tests are impersonal, so no one will make you feel silly. That said, there is no reason why you should feel embarrassed at a professional testing, you are expected to have difficulty with certain things and no one is going to be judging you.

So, am I dyslexic? Take the plunge, and change your life today.

Dyslexia Software – Mind Mapping

Dyslexia Software No Responses »

Feb 272011

UPDATE! Great news….. not only can you now download the 7-day free trial of this really useful program, after the 7 days are up you will get to keep a free license for the basic program!!! OK, so it won’t give you all you want, but this great piece of user friendly dyslexia software will still be a great boon to you. So go and download it NOW by following the links.

One of the problems with dyslexia is being able to organise information in your head. Actually, this is quite a common problem for those who do not have dyslexia! Mind mapping is a great way to help you get the information that you need down on paper or on computer, this then provides a visual reference that is much easier to access later and to remember.

So, how do mind maps work?

Mind maps are a visual representation of connecting thoughts that ‘spider’ out from a central theme/idea. Using only keywords on each spider is designed to prompt a memory associated with that word for the individual. If you have dyslexia, you are likely to find this a more useful way to absorb information.

Mind mapping can be used to improve study skills for revising for exams, planning projects and essays, organising shopping lists and making everyday plans in your life. Once you understand the concept, you will find it easier to take notes down during talks in a way that you can remember more easily. One way to produce a mind map is to use specially designed software from the creator of mind maps, Tony Buzan. This particular software is called iMindMap which I personally believe is the best and use it all the time.

Let’s look at an example of using a mind map for writing an essay. Having the information you need for an essay in a visual form provides a structure for your essay that is easy to access for dyslexic and non-dyslexics alike. Using some mind mapping software (like the one on the left here), a simple click of a button will change the map into a linear form that will create a good essay structure that includes paragraphs and images easily.

Why this system works so well for dyslexics is because it involves other processes than those related to reading and writing. It is multi-sensory as the process includes the use of colour, shape, images and symbols that ‘lock in’ the information in the brain in a different way. Information is broken down into small chunks so is therefore more accessible and less frightening than long, dense texts.

If you are a visual learner, then mind mapping will suit you as well. Let’s take a closer look at what Tony Buzan’s iMindMap does:

* Focus In and Out – allows concentration on one part of your Mind Map at a particular time without the visual distraction of the rest of your map.
* Child Mind Maps – to expand your Map and link ideas together.
* Audio Notes – to make voice recordings and attach to your Mind Map branches for extra impact.
* Change the colour of the background of your Map, to make reading it as easy as possible (different colours suit different people).
* Text options – with a range of font, size and colour options, you can choose what suits your learning needs.

iMindMap helps with dyslexia and encourages learning for both adults and children at home, work or in the classroom. Even better, you can get a FREE TRIAL of iMindMap by clicking on the picture on this posting.

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