When your child is bright but reading still feels like a struggle
Comprehensive dyslexia evaluations on Long Island for children and teens designed to help you understand why this is happening and what to do next
You may have been noticing it for a while
Your child is capable - you see it every day.
And yet…
reading is slow, effortful, or avoided altogether
homework takes far longer than it should
they need more support than expected just to keep up
they understand when things are explained but struggle to read it on their own
they are working harder than their peers
You may have already tried to help:
extra reading support
tutoring
more practice
But something still isn’t clicking.
You may be wondering how these reading struggles are going to affect them long term
Is this going to affect their confidence?
Are they starting to fall behind without us realizing it?
Why are they working so hard for something that seems easier for others?
Did we miss something earlier?
In many cases, the difficulty has been there for a long time. It just becomes more noticeable as academic demands increase.
Schools CANNOT diagnose dyslexia
This is one of the most common questions parents ask.
Schools can evaluate reading concerns and determine whether a child qualifies for support under a Specific Learning Disability in Reading.
However, some school reports do not use the word “dyslexia,” even when a child’s reading profile is consistent with it.
A private neuropsychological evaluation can provide a more detailed explanation of whether your child’s profile is consistent with dyslexia, how it is affecting learning, and what supports may be needed at school, in tutoring, and at home.
It’s about getting the right explanation.
What Does a Private Dyslexia Evaluation Look At?
word reading
decoding
phonological processing
reading fluency
spelling
written expression
reading comprehension
language skills
memory and learning
attention and executive functioning
processing speed
anxiety or avoidance related to schoolwork
This is where many families pivot
Instead of continuing to guess, try different supports, or hope things improve over time..
you will have a clear understanding of what is happening and how to address it.
A private evaluation clarifies:
whether your child’s reading profile is consistent with dyslexia
which reading skills are breaking down
whether spelling or writing are also affected
whether attention, anxiety, or executive functioning are contributing
what type of reading intervention may be most appropriate
whether school accommodations may be needed
how to explain your child’s needs to the school team
what to prioritize next
For many families, the biggest relief is finally being able to say:
Now we understand why this has been so hard.
When to Consider a Private Dyslexia Evaluation
A private evaluation may be helpful if:
your child continues to struggle with reading despite extra help
your child avoids reading or becomes upset during homework
spelling is weak or inconsistent
reading fluency is slow or effortful
school testing did not fully explain the problem
your child is bright but underperforming
you are unsure whether the issue is dyslexia, ADHD, anxiety, or something else
you need clearer recommendations for school supports or tutoring
your child’s confidence is being affected
Dr. Duhning is a board-certified pediatric neuropsychologist with specialized training in both clinical evaluation and the school system.
Her background as a practicing school psychologist — including experience with IEP and 504 processes — allows her to provide not just diagnostic clarity, but meaningful guidance on how to apply results in real-world settings.
Families often choose this practice when they are looking for:
a more precise and individualized understanding
clear explanations — not confusing reports
guidance they can actually use at home and in school
Serving families from Long Island and Queens, NY
This practice provides comprehensive dyslexia evaluations for children and teens across Long Island, including Nassau and Suffolk County, as well as Queens
Families often travel from areas such as: Syosset, Manhasset, Great Neck, Roslyn, Oyster Bay, Rockville Centre, Glen Cove, Garden City, Dix Hills, Commack, Smithtown, and surrounding communities.
Schedule a Free Consultation
If you have been trying to understand why reading continues to be a struggle, especially when your child is clearly capable — you are not alone.
Many families reach this point after trying to make things work for far longer than expected.
At a certain point, it becomes less about trying harder… and more about understanding what is actually going on.
A comprehensive evaluation can provide that clarity and a clear path forward.
-
Dyslexia is a language-based learning disability that affects how a child learns to read, spell, and process written language.
Children with dyslexia often struggle with decoding, reading fluency, and spelling. Importantly, dyslexia is not related to intelligence—many bright children struggle because their brain processes language differently.
The most accurate way to understand this is through a comprehensive neuropsychological evaluation on Long Island
-
Common signs include:
Difficulty sounding out words
Slow or effortful reading
Guessing words instead of decoding
Poor spelling
Avoidance of reading
In older students:
Reading takes significantly longer than expected
Strong verbal skills but weaker reading performance
Increasing frustration or school avoidance
You can also review a more detailed breakdown of signs of dyslexia in children.
-
In preschool and early elementary years:
Difficulty learning letters and sounds
Trouble rhyming
Delayed word retrieval
Difficulty remembering sequences
Early identification is critical. Catching these patterns early can prevent years of frustration.
These concerns are often clarified through a diagnostic clarity evaluation for learning and attention concerns
-
Yes, dyslexia is highly genetic.
If a parent or sibling has dyslexia, the likelihood increases significantly. Many parents recognize similar patterns in themselves during their child’s evaluation.
-
Dyslexia is caused by differences in how the brain processes language, including:
Phonological processing
Rapid naming
Orthographic processing
These are foundational skills for reading.
👉 Some children also have related learning differences such as dysgraphia (writing difficulties) or dyscalculia (math difficulties), which can impact overall academic performance.
-
No, this is a common myth.
Letter reversals are developmentally normal in young children and do not indicate dyslexia on their own. Dyslexia is primarily a language-based difficulty, not a visual problem.
-
Yes, dyslexia often co-occurs with:
ADHD
Executive functioning difficulties
Anxiety related to school
This is why a comprehensive evaluation for diagnostic clarity is important to understand the full picture.
-
Risk factors include:
Family history of reading difficulties
Early language delays
Difficulty learning letters and sounds
Limited progress despite extra help
If your child is working hard but not improving, it’s worth taking a closer look.
-
Dyslexia is identified through a comprehensive neuropsychological evaluation, not a brief screening.
This evaluation looks at:
Reading and language skills
Cognitive and executive functioning
Underlying processing weaknesses
Many families choose private testing for faster answers and more detailed results. Learn more about the difference between private and school evaluations.
-
Testing can be helpful as early as kindergarten or first grade if concerns are present.
However, many children are identified later when:
Reading demands increase
Work becomes more complex
Compensation strategies stop working
Earlier identification leads to better outcomes.
-
The most important step is getting clarity and the right support.
Effective support includes:
Structured, evidence-based reading instruction
School accommodations (IEP or 504 plan)
Reducing frustration and building confidence
The right plan starts with a neuropsychological evaluation on Long Island
-
If you’re noticing signs of dyslexia, a private neuropsychological evaluation on Long Island can provide faster and more detailed answers.
At Duhning Psychological Services, evaluations are designed to provide:
Clear diagnostic answers
A practical, school-ready plan
Confidence in how to move forward