Dyslexia Screeners vs. Comprehensive Evaluations: What Parents Should Know

Individual Matters
5 days ago
3 min read

If your child struggles with reading, you may hear the word dyslexia—often after a school dyslexia screener. Screeners can be helpful, but they are only one small piece of the puzzle. In this post, we’ll explain the difference between dyslexia screeners and a comprehensive learning (or neurodevelopmental or psychoeducational evaluation), so families in Grand Junction and western Colorado know what steps to take next.

What Is Dyslexia?

Dyslexia is a neurodevelopmental disorder, which means it is related to how the brain develops and processes language. Students with dyslexia often have trouble with reading, spelling, and sounding out words, even though they are smart and trying hard. Dyslexia is not caused by low effort or poor teaching—and it has nothing to do with intelligence.

Dyslexia screeners are meant to spot risk, not to diagnose dyslexia. — Dyslexia screeners are meant to spot risk, not to diagnose a learning disorder.

What Are Dyslexia Screeners?

Dyslexia screeners are short tests schools often give to check for possible reading difficulties. They are meant to spot risk, not to diagnose dyslexia.

Pros of Screeners

Screeners can be given quickly to an entire class, saving time for teachers and staff.
They help schools catch possible reading challenges early, before students fall behind.
Fast results mean parents and teachers can act sooner to support kids.
Early identification can prevent small reading struggles from becoming bigger learning gaps later on.

Cons of Screeners

Screeners are not comprehensive and may miss some kids who need help or flag others who don’t.
This can lead to time spent on the wrong solutions or a false belief that a child is “doing fine.”
They may overlook gifted or advanced learners who read at grade level but still have dyslexia.
Screeners do not diagnose dyslexia; they only point to possible signs.
They don’t assess other causes of reading difficulty, such as language delays, ADHD and executive functioning challenges, visual or auditory processing issues, developmental disabilities, or cognitive delays.
They may focus only on raising reading scores instead of building confidence and a love of reading.
One-size-fits-all interventions can miss a child’s unique strengths and learning needs.
If handled poorly, screeners can add stress, stigma, or embarrassment for students.

What Is a Comprehensive Learning or Psychoeducational Evaluation?

A comprehensive evaluation looks at the whole child, not just reading skills. A learning or neurodevelopmental psychologist uses detailed testing to understand how your child thinks, learns, and processes information. This kind of evaluation can diagnose dyslexia and also identify other factors that may be affecting learning. It provides clear answers and specific recommendations tailored to your child.

What If Your Child Fails a School Dyslexia Screener?

If your child does not pass a school screener, here are helpful next steps:

Formally request an eligibility meeting with the school to see if your child qualifies for support through an IEP or 504 plan. Learn about your rights as a parent in this process.
Find an education advocate who can help ensure your child’s needs are met and that education laws are followed.
Consult a learning or neurodevelopmental psychologist to discuss clinical testing or services that may help your child (many schools cannot recommend this directly).
Learn about dyslexia—including the strengths and learning styles that often come with it—so you can better support your child at home and at school.
Balance interventions with strengths, making sure your child has chances to succeed, feel confident, and enjoy learning.
Remember: Dyslexia is nothing to be ashamed of. Many people see it as a superpower that comes with creativity, problem-solving skills, and unique talents.

Final Thoughts

For families in Grand Junction and throughout western Colorado, understanding the difference between dyslexia screeners and comprehensive evaluations can make a big difference. Screeners are a helpful first step—but when reading challenges continue, a full evaluation can provide clarity, direction, and hope. Every student deserves support that fits who they are and how they learn.

-Dr. Katen

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