FastBridge Dyslexia Screening - Illuminate Education

Why Does Early Dyslexia Screening for Children Matter?

Dyslexia is a type of learning disability that may affect a student’s ability to learn how to read, decode text, and spell correctly. In recent years, most states have passed legislation recommending or requiring schools to conduct dyslexia screening. Dyslexia “is characterized by difficulties with accurate and/or fluent word recognition and by poor spelling and decoding abilities” (International Dyslexia Association [IDA], 2002).

FastBridge has reading tools that can be used for dyslexia screening and research shows that early dyslexia screening as well as ongoing progress monitoring is far more effective than treatment for older students which requires more resources and time.

FastBridge’s Dyslexia Screener Provides Data to Support All Students

Dyslexia Screening for All IDA-Recommended Reading Domains

The International Dyslexia Association (IDA) has guidance about which specific reading skills to measure. These are derived from a very strong research base about the reading deficits that are most likely to predict a manifestation of dyslexia. FastBridge’s screening tools address all of the areas identified by the IDA, including phonological awareness and rapid automatic naming (RAN).

Utilize High-Quality Data From a Research-Based Dyslexia Screener

Not all assessments can be used for dyslexia screening. FastBridge’s screening tools meet the five criteria for effectively identifying young students who are struggling. During a dyslexia screening test, reading problems can be identified based on the types of errors students make. An evidence-based reading intervention will be introduced and subsequent progress monitoring data will be collected.

Guide Early Interventions With Online Dyslexia Screening

Interventions provided in kindergarten and grade 1 require far less time than addressing problems in higher grades. Using FastBridge’s screening tools help you provide teachers with data to support all students, including those with dyslexia. The scores and corresponding reports shed light on not only which students are struggling in reading, but also why they struggle.

Learn more about our research based approach to dyslexia screening.

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Universal Screeners for Dyslexia Screening

Early universal screening is the best way for schools to identify students who might have dyslexia. An added benefit is that such screening will identify students with other reading problems as well.

Learn more about FastBridge’s universal screening tools that can be used for dyslexia screening:

earlyReading	CBMreading
The earlyReading Composite includes subtests that measure the critical early reading skills of phonemic awareness and phonics.	CBMreading measures phonics, fluency, and comprehension, all key indicators of dyslexia.

Kindergarten

earlyReading Composite

Grade 1

earlyReading Composite which includes CBMreading in winter and spring

Grades 2+

CBMreading

FastBridge: An Approved Dyslexia Screener in Many States

FastBridge is an approved dyslexia screener—and an approved universal screener for reading—in many states including: Arizona, Mississippi, Missouri, Oregon, South Carolina, Texas, and Washington.

Is FastBridge approved in your state?

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Dyslexia Screening Resources

Whitepaper

Understanding Dyslexia

Learn about common myths surrounding dyslexia, the importance of early screening and strategies for effective diagnostic evaluation.

Read the Whitepaper

Infographic

3 Steps for Supporting Students with Early Dyslexia Screening

Learn how to use FastBridge’s earlyReading assessment for dyslexia screening, addressing student learning needs with targeted interventions, and monitoring student progress toward reading goals.

View the Infographic

Webinar

Building a Framework for the Early Identification and Intervention of Dyslexia

Watch as Sally Grimes, Founding Director of the Grimes Reading Institute, explains what you need to know to build a reading program that supports students with dyslexia.

Watch On-Demand

Dyslexia Screening FAQs

Can dyslexia be cured?

Dyslexia is a reading disorder that affects both learning-to-read and reading skills over one’s lifespan. While it cannot be “cured,” the good news is that there are treatment methods to assist students with dyslexia. Individuals with dyslexia can learn to read, although it often requires additional intensive instruction. There is a strong body of evidence for the most effective reading instruction practices for children with dyslexia. The defining characteristics of effective treatments are direct and systematic instruction of phonemic awareness and sound-symbol correspondence. This includes daily intensive instruction in the big ideas of reading, as well as language and spelling, provided in an explicit and systematic format.

What does a person with dyslexia see?

Individuals with dyslexia see the same letters and words as other readers. Dyslexia is not a vision disorder, but instead a phonological one. While individuals with dyslexia see the same letters and words on the page, they interpret (or decode) the sounds that correspond with the letters and words differently. Specifically, they often will reverse the order of the sounds or associate a different sound with a specific letter. For example, if the word is “spill”, a person with dyslexia might read it as “slip.” The most common sound confusion is found with the letters b, d, p, and q because they are similar shapes.

How to test for dyslexia?

There are several steps to follow in order to test for dyslexia. The recommended best practice is to conduct universal screening of all students. Such screening involves testing students’ recognition and production of the sounds in words (e.g., phonemes) as well as how automatically they recognize letters and objects. These screenings take about five minutes per student. Those students whose screening scores indicate risk for dyslexia and related reading problems can complete additional diagnostic reading assessments that will confirm their needs.

Who screens for dyslexia?

Classroom teachers can screen for dyslexia as part of other class-wide screening procedures. Or, they can be done by literacy specialists, special educators, school psychologists, or others with the correct training. School-age children with persistent reading problems are typically evaluated by a school-based team that considers whether the observed reading problems are due to dyslexia and whether the student is eligible for special education. The team includes a school psychologist, classroom teacher, special educator, parent, and other specialists who might have worked with the student such as a speech and language pathologist.

Is there a test for dyslexia?

Yes, there are many tests that can be used to determine whether an individual has dyslexia. These are commonly used as part of a diagnostic reading evaluation. This evaluation is recommended for students whose screening and intervention data indicate a profile consistent with dyslexia as it can be helpful to confirm the data, rule out other possible reasons for reading problems, and recommend additional instructional strategies.

Provide Educators With the Right Dyslexia Screening Data

Educators need the right data about students’ early reading skills to identify if they are exhibiting deficits associated with dyslexia. With FastBridge’s dyslexia screening, progress monitoring, and aligned interventions, students can make significant reading improvements