Educational Assessments
We uncover each child’s unique strengths and weaknesses to bring clarity and a thoughtful path forward.
Get Clear Answers About Your
Child’s Learning
When reading, spelling, or writing feels harder than it should be, it’s natural to wonder why. As a parent, you may be asking yourself whether something deeper is getting in the way. At Strategies for Learning, we offer the Tests of Dyslexia (TOD) assessment, designed to provide answers.
Solution-Oriented Assessment
Unlike brief screeners, this assessment looks deeply at how your child processes language and reading, while also identifying strengths that can be leveraged for growth. It looks at how your child learns, not just what they are struggling with.Â
Our goal isn’t just to identify challenges or diagnose a learning disability—it’s to understand your child as a unique learner and to create a roadmap for parents to follow.Â
An Overview
The Tests of Dyslexia (TOD) is a comprehensive assessment designed to identify dyslexia and learning disabilities* in reading for individuals ages 5 and up.Â
The TOD offers evaluation of reading and its related skills, including:
- Risk and Probability Indexes for Dyslexia
- Composites and Subtests assessing reading (timed and untimed), spelling, phonological awareness, orthographic processing, rapid automatized naming (RAN), working memory, vocabulary, and reasoning
- Self, Parent, and Teacher Rating Scales that capture both risk indicators and qualitative factorsÂ
- A Dyslexia Interventions and Recommendations Guide to assist in developing targeted instructional plans in and outside of the classroom
*While the TOD identifies the risk of dyslexia, it does not generate a formal medical or psychological diagnosis of a specific learning disability.
Does Your Child/Teen...?
- Struggles to read fluently or decode unfamiliar words
- Guesses at words or avoids reading altogether
- Has difficulty with spelling, writing, or proofreading
- Tires easily during reading or homework
- Seems bright but isn’t performing as expectedÂ
- Has made limited progress despite extra help or tutoring
If any of this sounds familiar, an underlying learning disability may be impeding their ability to meet their full potential.
This is a great option for families who are looking for both assessment services and assessment-informed learning support with an experienced Educational Specialist.
What Families Receive:
- Initial Phone Consultation to understand your child’s needs and goals
- Test Administration (2.5 hrs*) by a Certified Academic Language Therapist and Director of Education
- Comprehensive Written Report with tailored recommendations and detailed data analysis, and interpretationÂ
- Consultation with Parents (1 hr) to review assessment findings and interpretation, discuss a customized support plan for home, school, and SFL sessions, and answer any questions
- School Collaboration Consultation (1 hr) with your child’s teacher or key school contact to share assessment results and actionable recommendations, ensuring teachers have a clear understanding of your child’s needs and strategies to best support them
- Clinician Match with an SFL Educational Specialist for weekly learning support
*Time may vary depending on the child’s pace and needs.
Pricing: $1925
To support families seeking clarity and early intervention, we are currently offering a $250 needs-based discount.Â
This is a great option for families who are only looking for assessment services.
What Families Receive:
- Initial Phone Consultation to understand your child’s needs and goals
- Test Administration (2.5 hrs*) by a Certified Academic Language Therapist and Director of Education
- Comprehensive Written Report with tailored recommendations and detailed data analysis, and interpretationÂ
- Consultation with Parents (1 hr) to review assessment findings and interpretation, discuss a customized support plan for home, school, and SFL sessions, and answer any questions
- School Collaboration Consultation (1 hr) with your child’s teacher or key school contact to share assessment results and actionable recommendations, ensuring teachers have a clear understanding of your child’s needs and strategies to best support them
*Time may vary depending on the child’s pace and needs.
Pricing: $1925
To support families seeking clarity and early intervention, we are currently offering a $250 needs-based discount.Â
Why Families Choose Strategies for Learning
Families who complete the TOD assessment will have more clarity about how their child learns, not just what they know.
Clear identification of strengths and areas of need
Practical, individualized recommendations for intervention
Wrap-around services that include 1:1 learning support based on assessment data and collaboration with the child’s school
If you’re looking for clear answers, thoughtful guidance, and a plan that truly supports your child, we’re here to help.
FAQ
Who is the Tests of Dyslexia (TOD) recommended for?
The Tests of Dyslexia (TOD) is designed for individuals ages 5 through adulthood who are experiencing reading difficulties or are suspected of having dyslexia or other language-based learning challenges.
You may want to consider an assessment for your child or teen if you’ve noticed any of the following:
- Frequently guesses at unfamiliar words
- Mixes up letters or words that look similar (e.g., b/d, was/saw)
- Struggles with spelling and proofreading
- Avoids reading or becomes easily fatigued by reading tasks
- Has trouble following multi-step directions, especially when spoken aloud
- Takes significantly longer to complete assignments than peers
- Shows a noticeable gap between verbal expression and written work
- Demonstrates understanding of academic content but underperforms on tests or assignments
If your child or teen answers “yes” to several of these, an underlying reading challenge—possibly dyslexia—could be part of the picture. In that case, an evaluation like the TOD can help clarify what’s going on and guide appropriate next steps.
Who is the Tests of Dyslexia (TOD) NOT for?
We generally do not recommend the TOD for students with moderate to severe cognitive disabilities. The TOD does not comprehensively assess cognitive functioning, which can significantly impact overall learning. In such cases, we recommend a referral to a neuropsychologist or clinical psychologist who can conduct a comprehensive cognitive evaluation and provide a broader, more detailed roadmap for understanding the student’s learning profile and related needs.
Why consider the TOD?
The Tests of Dyslexia (TOD) is an excellent option for families who want to screen for dyslexia and related reading challenges without pursuing a full psychoeducational evaluation through the school which can be very time-consuming and difficult to navigate. Meanwhile, a  private neuropsychological assessments or Independent Educational Evaluations (IEEs) can be costly and often range from $7,000 to $15,000.Â
The TOD is a domain-specific assessment that can serve as alternative for families whose primary goal is to determine whether their child shows signs of dyslexia or other reading-based learning differences—and to identify the type of support that would be most helpful.Â
The results of the TOD can also be a valuable tool to share with your child’s school team, especially in independent school settings where informal accommodations and additional learning support may be available.
*Please note:
If you are pursuing an IEP through your child’s public school, the TOD alone will not meet the criteria for eligibility. In that case, a comprehensive evaluation conducted by the school or an Independent Educational Evaluation (IEE) will be required. If you have questions about this, we offer Educational Consulting to help guide you through the IEP/504 process.
Who can administer the TOD assessment?
TOD is best administered by a dyslexia specialist. This means the person conducting the evaluation not only knows how to identify dyslexia, but also how to design effective interventions to support your child’s learning.
At Strategies for Learning, the assessment is conducted by Stephanie Broytman, our Director of Education. Stephanie holds a MA in Learning Disabilities from Teachers College, Columbia University, and is a certified Academic Language Therapist (CALT) with an extensive background in special education and literacy intervention. A CALT is specially trained to identify dyslexia, to work with families to clarify priorities, to plan individualized education program (IEP) and 504 goals, and to provide individualized structured language therapy. Learn more about how a CALT can effectively assess and support a students with dyslexia.
What is the format of the TOD assessment?
The TOD is currently offered in a virtual-only format. Students will complete the assessment from our SFL clinic with our virtual set-up. In-person testing may become available in the future based on interest and demand.
What should I expect after the assessment?
After the assessment is complete, we will provide you with a formal written report and schedule a one-hour parent consultation to review the results together. During this meeting, we’ll answer any questions you may have and offer practical, step-by-step guidance on recommended next steps. We also coordinate with other professionals involved in your child’s care—such as teachers, educational specialists, or outside therapists—to ensure the assessment results are clearly communicated and that everyone is aligned on how best to support your child moving forward.Â
Additionally, after completing the TOD assessment, families may choose to be matched with one of our experienced Educational Specialists for ongoing support. Students receive individualized 1:1 weekly sessions grounded in evidence-based, assessment-informed instructional and therapeutic practices.
We set clear, measurable learning objectives based on each student’s unique needs and work toward those goals. Families receive regular progress reports, so you always have a clear understanding of growth, progress, and next steps.
If my child is already receiving reading support, should I still consider the TOD assessment?
Even if your child is already receiving reading support, the TOD assessment can help pinpoint exactly which components of reading are breaking down—such as phonological awareness, orthographic processing, decoding, encoding, rapid naming, comprehension, or working memory. It can also reveal patterns that allow us to target interventions more precisely as we gather additional data. In addition, it highlights your child’s strengths so we can intentionally leverage them while building up weaker skill areas.
The TOD also provides standardized data you can share with the school or other professionals involved in your child’s care, helping you better advocate for their needs. By offering greater insight into how your child thinks and processes information, the assessment supports the development of self-awareness and self-advocacy skills that will benefit them well beyond reading.
I'm unsure whether my child needs testing or what kind-can you guide me?
SfL can help you figure out what kind of screening or assessment is needed — and why. If you have already had an evaluation or other testing done for your child, we answer any questions and help you understand the results. If needed, we can provide referrals for other evaluations, including neuropsychological evaluation, auditory or visual processing evaluation, or speech and language evaluation. Because approaches and written reports can vary, it is important to seek a referral to a reputable and experienced professional. Contact us to schedule an initial consultation.Â
