Dyslexia & Reading Evaluations
Dyslexia Evaluations
Your child is smart. So why is reading so hard? Comprehensive dyslexia and reading learning-disability evaluations for children on Long Island and Queens.
Serving Long Island & Queens, NY
Signs of dyslexia
When reading struggles start showing up everywhere
- •They guess at words
- •They skip or replace small words
- •They struggle to sound out unfamiliar words
- •They read the same word differently each time
- •They avoid reading — or say “I hate reading”
You know they are trying. You just don’t know what is getting in the way.
By age & stage
Dyslexia looks different at every age
Reading demands change as children grow — and so do the signs of a struggling reader.
Kindergarten
Children are just beginning to learn how sounds connect to letters, so early gaps can be easy to miss.
1st–2nd grade
Decoding and sounding out words should be clicking into place; when it isn’t, reading starts to feel frustrating.
3rd–5th grade
Reading becomes less about learning to read and more about reading to learn — and gaps begin to affect every subject.
Middle school
Many students compensate, but reading remains slow and exhausting as the workload grows.
High school
Reading demands increase dramatically, and students often spend twice as long completing assignments.
You've already tried to help
More practice can't solve a problem that hasn't been clearly identified
If reading has stayed hard despite tutoring, extra practice, and consistent support, the missing piece is usually understanding why.
More than a reading test
Why isn't reading sticking?
Reading depends on many interconnected skills. Many schools can tell you that your child struggles — a neuropsychological evaluation helps explain why.
Depending on your child's needs, the evaluation may examine:
- ✓Reading & decoding
- ✓Language
- ✓Memory
- ✓Attention
- ✓Executive functioning
- ✓Processing speed
- ✓Writing
- ✓Emotional functioning
Your evaluation is individualized — not a standard testing package.
The process
How does the process work?
Consultation
We discuss concerns, history, and the questions you want answered.
Records review
We review school reports, records, and previous testing.
Testing
Two to three in-person testing sessions, about two hours each.
Interpretation
Dr. Duhning integrates and synthesizes the data.
Report
We meet virtually to review the findings, recommendations, and written report.
Roadmap
Your child has a clear roadmap to succeed.
FAQs
Questions parents ask before scheduling a dyslexia evaluation
How do I know whether my child has dyslexia?
Many children need extra practice when they’re first learning to read. The concern is when reading continues to feel unusually difficult despite quality instruction, tutoring, and consistent support.
A comprehensive dyslexia evaluation can help determine whether your child is simply developing more slowly, has dyslexia, or is struggling because of attention, language, memory, anxiety, or another underlying factor.
Can a very bright child still have dyslexia?
Absolutely. Many children with dyslexia are highly intelligent, curious, and strong problem-solvers. They often compensate by memorizing words, using context clues, listening carefully, or simply working much harder than their classmates.
Because of these strengths, dyslexia is sometimes overlooked until reading demands increase in later elementary school, middle school, or high school.
My child gets good grades. Could dyslexia still be present?
Yes — grades don’t always tell the whole story. Some children keep up through tutoring, parental support, memorization, audiobooks, or spending significantly more time on homework than their peers. The more important question is: how much effort does it take for your child to achieve those grades?
What age should a child be evaluated for dyslexia?
Reading concerns can often be evaluated as early as kindergarten or first grade, when learning to read isn’t progressing as expected. However, many children are first identified in later elementary school, middle school, or high school, when reading becomes more demanding and compensation strategies are no longer enough. Your child does not need to be failing before an evaluation is appropriate.
What’s the difference between school testing and a private neuropsychological evaluation?
School evaluations are designed to determine whether a student qualifies for special-education services under educational guidelines. A private neuropsychological evaluation focuses on understanding why your child is struggling — examining reading, language, memory, attention, executive functioning, processing speed, writing, spelling, and emotional functioning as needed. The goal is diagnostic clarity and a practical roadmap for intervention and school support.
What if my school district approved an Independent Educational Evaluation (IEE)?
If your district has approved an Independent Educational Evaluation (IEE), you may be able to choose an independent evaluator who meets the district’s requirements. Before scheduling, we encourage families to send us the district’s IEE approval letter and evaluator criteria so we can review the approved scope of testing, funding guidelines, and payment process to determine whether the evaluation can be completed through the IEE.
Can my child have both dyslexia and ADHD?
Yes. Dyslexia and ADHD commonly occur together. Some children primarily struggle with decoding and reading fluency, while others also have difficulty sustaining attention, organizing work, remembering directions, or working efficiently. A comprehensive evaluation helps determine whether one condition or multiple conditions are contributing to your child’s learning profile.
What does a comprehensive dyslexia evaluation include?
Every evaluation is individualized based on your child’s history, concerns, and learning profile. Depending on your child’s needs, testing may include:
- Reading and decoding
- Phonological processing
- Sight-word reading
- Reading fluency
- Reading comprehension
- Listening comprehension
- Language skills
- Writing and spelling
- Memory
- Attention
- Executive functioning
- Processing speed
- Emotional functioning
The goal isn’t simply to generate scores — it’s to understand how all of these areas work together to explain your child’s reading difficulties.
How will this evaluation change what we do next?
The purpose of the evaluation is to replace uncertainty with a clear plan. After the evaluation, you’ll understand:
- Why your child is struggling to read
- Whether dyslexia or another condition is contributing
- Which reading skills need intervention
- What type of instruction may be most appropriate
- Which accommodations should be considered at school
- What your next steps should be at home, in school, and with outside providers
Our goal is for every family to leave with confidence, clarity, and a practical roadmap — not more questions.
Is this covered by insurance? How does payment work?
This is a private-pay service. Many families use HSA/FSA cards and receive partial reimbursement through out-of-network benefits. We provide detailed superbills, guidance on benefits, and support with submission.
From parents
What families say
“We finally understood why our child was struggling and what to do next. This was more helpful than any school evaluation we’ve had.”
Parent, Long Island“We were able to get in quickly, and the entire process — from testing to feedback — was prompt and efficient. We didn’t have to wait months for answers.”
Parent, Queens“Dr. Duhning’s knowledge of the school system made a huge difference. We felt prepared and confident going into IEP meetings.”
Parent, Nassau CountyGive your child clarity, confidence, and a plan forward
Reading is the foundation for nearly every subject in school. The sooner you understand why your child is struggling, the sooner targeted intervention can begin. Your child does not need to fail before they deserve answers.
Schedule a Free ConsultationContinue reading