Dyslexia Assessments: How to Choose the Right One for Your Child

When parents begin to suspect dyslexia in their child, the first question often asked is: What kind of assessment should we pursue? Two common options are a full diagnostic psychoeducational evaluation or a formal dyslexia screener/targeted assessment, such as the Tests of Dyslexia (TOD). Both approaches provide valuable information, but they differ in terms of purpose, cost, time commitment, and the depth of results.

The TOD Assessment: Targeted and Efficient

The Tests of Dyslexia (TOD) are specifically designed to identify the presence of dyslexia-related patterns. Unlike general academic tests, the TOD zeroes in on the core markers of dyslexia: phonological processing, rapid naming, word reading, spelling, and related cognitive-linguistic skills. Because it is focused, the TOD can be administered in just a couple of hours, often within one or two sessions.

From a financial perspective, the TOD assessment is less expensive than a full diagnostic evaluation. This makes it more accessible for families who want clear answers about the cause of their child’s reading and writing struggles without the high cost of a comprehensive evaluation.

The results of the TOD provide a formal identification of dyslexia risk, which can be used to guide educational therapy, tutoring, or school interventions. It answers the essential question: Does my child show the characteristics of dyslexia, and to what degree?

Full Diagnostic Assessment: Comprehensive and Multi-Layered

A full psychoeducational or neuropsychological evaluation, conducted by a licensed psychologist, goes far beyond screening for dyslexia. It examines a wide range of areas, including IQ, processing speed, working memory, academic achievement across subjects, and sometimes emotional or behavioral functioning. The process typically requires multiple sessions—sometimes spanning 8–12 hours of testing, along with extensive scoring and reporting time.

Due to the depth and time required, these evaluations, when conducted privately, can cost up to $10,000 out of pocket. While they provide an in-depth profile of the child’s learning strengths and weaknesses, not every family needs this level of detail immediately.

The results of a full evaluation are often essential when seeking formal accommodations through an IEP or 504 plan, especially in public schools. They can also uncover co-occurring conditions (such as ADHD or anxiety) that a targeted dyslexia test is not designed to capture.

Which Should You Choose?

For families seeking a quicker and more affordable path to confirmation and support, the TOD assessment is an excellent choice. It empowers parents to begin targeted intervention without delay. For families navigating complex school systems or when multiple learning challenges are suspected, a comprehensive diagnostic evaluation may be worthwhile.

Ultimately, both paths provide clarity. The key difference lies in scope and depth—the TOD identifies dyslexia efficiently, while a full evaluation paints a broader picture of the whole child.

*While the TOD identifies the risk of dyslexia, it does not generate a formal medical or psychological diagnosis code for a specific learning disability.

The Bottom Line

Both paths provide answers, just at different levels. The TOD provides you with fast, focused results that can jump-start support for your child. A comprehensive evaluation takes more time and money, but it offers a broader view of your child’s learning strengths and needs.

What matters most is that you’re taking action—choosing assessment is the first step toward understanding your child better and giving them the tools to thrive.

Tests of Dyslexia vs. Full Diagnostic Evaluation

Factor	TOD (Tests of Dyslexia)	Full Diagnostic Evaluation
Purpose	Focused on identifying dyslexia specifically	Comprehensive look at learning, cognition, and related factors
Time Commitment	Approx 1.5-2.5 hrs split into 1–2 sessions	Multiple sessions, often requiring extensive time pulled from class (8–12 hours of testing, plus weeks for report)
Cost	$1,925 for full package through Strategies for Learning	Typically in the range of $7,000-$15,000
Results	Clear confirmation of dyslexia and the degree of impact	Full learning profile, including strengths, weaknesses, and possible co-occurring conditions (e.g., ADHD)
Best For	Families wanting a quicker, more affordable path to answers and next steps for support	Families needing a full report for IEP/504 plans, or when multiple learning issues are suspected
Report Delivery	Usually available quickly, 1-2 weeks	Often takes several weeks to months
School Use	Can guide school support, but may not always meet requirements for formal accommodations	Widely accepted for IEPs, 504 plans, and formal accommodations

Next Steps

Learn more about the Tests of Dyslexia through Strategies for Learning or schedule an initial consultation to determine if it’s the right fit for your child.