At What Age Can You Diagnose a Child With Dyslexia?

It’s possible for parents to detect signs of dyslexia in their child from a very young age. They may wish to ensure a good start in life for their child by formalising a dyslexia diagnosis and getting the classroom accommodations that they deserve.

However, is there a “best age” to get a dyslexia assessment, and is there such a thing as “too young” for a dyslexia diagnosis?

Age 7 tends to be the youngest age for formal dyslexia assessment

In general, Specialist Dyslexia Assessors like Holly Swinton only assess children aged 7 and up.

Why? The younger the child is, the harder it can be to prove that issues are due to dyslexia, rather than different rates of child development or other issues. For a younger child, the labelling process may be difficult.

At age 5 and 6, a dyslexia screening could be worthwhile

If your child is younger than 7 and you fear their difficulties (rooted in dyslexia) may be holding them back, it is possible to carry out a shorter (non-diagnostic) dyslexia screening.

For children aged 5 and 6, Holly Swinton suggests having some tutoring or the assessment portion of the Formal Dyslexia Assessment (Children Under-16) only, or an Initial Dyslexia Screening to see if there is enough evidence to warrant writing a formal report, or whether to hold off until they are slightly older.

It can be very helpful to get detailed recommendations for how best to help your child now, even if it is hard to label them as dyslexic. For some younger children, tutoring is best solution, to see whether with a bit of very targeted specialist support they can close the gap.

Is a dyslexia assessment stressful for a young child?

How stressful a dyslexia assessment will be for a child depends on the character and approach of the person carrying out the dyslexia assessment. For this reason, it’s a good idea to check not just qualifications but also your chosen dyslexia assessor’s approach to the assessment day.

Holly Swinton, a former primary school teacher as well as a Specialist Dyslexia Assessor, goes to great lengths to make the dyslexia assessment process feel positive, pleasant, and even fun (yes, really). Clients have described her as “enthusiastic”, “encouraging”, and “supportive”.

In most cases, children actually love the assessment process. Seriously! Most children relish having a few hours devoted to them and how they tick.

During the assessment, Holly tries to boost their self-esteem by praising them and highlighting their strengths. She tries to reframe the things they struggle with as helping us to pinpoint exactly how to help, so we can work smarter, not harder.

Parents often find dyslexia assessment an emotional process, but most kids love it. Snacks, treats and a little bit of bribery from parents can help them to retain their focus and keep motivated, even when they are doing things that they find tricky.

Opt for dyslexia assessment in the home

For this reason, it is usually preferable for children to be assessed for dyslexia in their own home, rather than in an office setting or at school. Your home is where your child feels comfortable and they can have as many breaks as they need, with their toys, snacks, family, pets and games around them.

After the age of 7, there’s really no “best age” for a dyslexia assessment. Any child with suspected dyslexia can benefit from greater knowledge of their own strengths and weaknesses, as well as tailored support to help them to excel at school and in life.

Learn more about the private dyslexia assessment services that Holly Swinton provides for children.