How to get my child tested for dyslexia through school
Last updated:
If your child struggles with reading despite your best efforts at home support, you’ve likely wondered whether the challenges you’re seeing are part of normal development or signs of something that needs professional attention. Watching your child work twice as hard as their peers just to decode simple words, or seeing them become frustrated and tearful during homework time, can leave you feeling uncertain about whether to wait it out or take action. The good news is that you have more control over getting answers than you might realize.
Understanding Your Right to Request Testing
When you suspect your child might have dyslexia, getting them tested through the school system is both your right and often the most accessible path forward. Under federal laws like IDEA and Section 504, schools are legally required to evaluate children when there’s suspicion of a learning difference that impacts their education. These aren’t favors the school provides—they’re legal protections designed to ensure every child receives the support they need to succeed.
The key is understanding that you can request this evaluation at any time, and the school must respond. You don’t need to wait for teachers to suggest testing, nor do you need permission from anyone else. Your parental concern about your child’s reading development is sufficient grounds to start the process. Many parents don’t realize they have this power, but federal law puts you in the driver’s seat when it comes to advocating for your child’s educational needs.
The school evaluation process typically begins with something called Response to Intervention (RTI). This is a multi-tiered approach where schools provide increasingly intensive support to see if your child responds to different teaching methods. While RTI can be helpful, it’s important to know that it cannot be used to delay a formal evaluation if you request one. You can ask for a comprehensive evaluation at any point during the RTI process.
When you formally request an evaluation, the school has specific timelines they must follow. They have 15 school days to respond to your request and 60 school days to complete the evaluation once you give written consent. During this time, they’ll assess multiple areas including reading skills, cognitive abilities, and how your child processes information. The evaluation team should include various specialists such as school psychologists, reading specialists, and special education teachers.
Author Quote"
Your parental concern about your child’s reading development is sufficient grounds to start the process.
"
Preparing Documentation and Building Your Case
Before requesting testing, gather evidence that demonstrates your child’s challenges with reading-related skills. This includes work samples showing letter reversals, difficulty with phonics, slow reading pace, or trouble with reading comprehension. Document conversations with teachers about your child’s struggles, and note any emotional responses your child has to reading activities—anxiety, avoidance, or frustration during homework time.
Keep records of any interventions the school has already tried and their results. If your child received extra reading help but continues to struggle, this actually strengthens your case for comprehensive testing. Schools sometimes interpret lack of progress as a sign that the child needs more time, but persistent difficulties despite good instruction often indicate the need for a different approach—one that addresses the underlying cognitive processing skills that support reading.
Key Takeaways:
1
Know Your Rights: Federal laws require schools to evaluate children when parents suspect learning differences that impact education.
2
Document the Evidence: Gather work samples, teacher observations, and examples of reading challenges to support your request.
3
Act on Results: Whether it's an IEP or 504 plan, proper identification leads to targeted support that builds essential skills.
Understanding the Results and Next Steps
Once testing is complete, you’ll receive a comprehensive report detailing your child’s strengths and areas needing support. If dyslexia is identified, the team will develop either an IEP (Individualized Education Program) or a 504 plan, depending on your child’s needs. An IEP is more comprehensive and provides specialized instruction, while a 504 plan focuses on accommodations and modifications to help your child access the general curriculum.
Remember that neuroplasticity research shows us that the brain can develop new pathways for reading throughout childhood and beyond. A dyslexia identification isn’t a limitation—it’s valuable information that helps educators understand how your child’s brain processes language and what specific skills need strengthening. The most effective interventions target the underlying processing skills like auditory processing, visual processing, and phonological awareness that form the foundation for reading success.
If you’re not satisfied with the school’s evaluation or if they decline to test your child, you have the right to request an independent educational evaluation at public expense. This can provide a second opinion and ensure your child receives the most appropriate support. The goal isn’t just to get a diagnosis—it’s to understand exactly which skills your child needs to develop and create a plan that builds those abilities systematically.
To help your child develop a stronger growth mindset throughout this process, consider our free course that teaches both parents and children how to embrace challenges and view mistakes as learning opportunities. Explore our growth mindset course.
Throughout this process, maintain open communication with your child about their learning journey. Help them understand that everyone’s brain works differently, and that getting extra support is about building skills, not fixing deficits. When children see their challenges as temporary skill gaps rather than permanent limitations, they’re more likely to engage actively in their learning and develop the resilience needed for long-term success.
Author Quote"
A dyslexia identification isn’t a limitation—it’s valuable information that helps educators understand how your child’s brain processes language and what specific skills need strengthening.
"
Getting your child tested for dyslexia through school is just the first step—the real transformation happens when you understand that reading challenges aren’t permanent limitations but skill gaps that can be systematically addressed. As your child’s first teacher, you have the power to advocate not just for testing, but for the kind of evidence-based interventions that truly build reading success. Don’t let bureaucratic processes intimidate you when your child’s future is at stake. The Learning Success All Access Program gives you the knowledge and tools to supplement school services with proven strategies that strengthen the underlying processing skills essential for reading success—try it free today.
Is Your Child Struggling in School?
Get Your FREE Personalized Learning Roadmap
Comprehensive assessment + instant access to research-backed strategies
