There are plenty of myths and misconceptions about dyslexia. Although it is one of the most commonly known learning disabilities, its presentation—and origins—still leave many parents and traditional educators baffled.

This is likely due to the fact that dyslexia, as a neurological condition, does not actually correlate with lower intelligence, although students with a diagnosis are likely to underperform their peers in the area of language. Many students with dyslexia are actually extremely bright, and they typically excel in other academic subjects—but their difficulties in reading comprehension, spelling, and written and verbal expression nonetheless hinder them.

We have helped many students with dyslexia over the years and guided students with considerable linguistic challenges onto bright futures in college and the workplace. There is no reason why your child shouldn’t succeed, or even thrive, at Lake Michigan Academy. If you suspect your child’s diagnosis is dyslexia, we have plenty of local resources for families.

What the Testing Process Looks Like

Despite what Google will tell you, there is no simple online quiz that can diagnosis dyslexia. Nor is there one simple clinical test that can diagnosis it, either. The reality is, dyslexia is a complex disorder with a constellation of symptoms that manifest differently in every individual.

There is no test that can give you a clear, hard-and-fast answer, nor any form of treatment that can “cure” it. However, a visit to your family physician will be helpful, as they can assist you by asking questions relating to your child’s developmental, educational, and medical history. Psychological or emotional issues will be ruled out first, as they can often inhibit a child’s capacity to learn and mimic a learning disability.

Targeting the Issue with Questionnaires

Since dyslexia is, by and large, a language-related disorder, any questionnaires that are given to your child to fill out will include questions that target their reading and language capabilities.

A reading expert will analyze the results in light of the child’s chronological age and grade level, taking into consideration any confounding variables such as disturbances in the family home, mental health conditions, or underlying psychological issues.

If the most likely diagnosis is, in fact, dyslexia, your family physician may recommend tutoring, shifting into an alternative education system, or summer school. At this point, many of our students come to Lake Michigan Academy feeling defeated and hopeless, believing that they are failures. We are always thrilled to see our students thrive and go on to do great things in their lives after a few years at our school.