Adults with dyslexia may have spent years working harder, reading more slowly or developing strategies to compensate for difficulties with reading, spelling and written language.
Bright Future Psychology provides private adult dyslexia testing in Naples, Florida. Evaluations can clarify whether persistent reading difficulties are consistent with dyslexia or another learning disorder and may provide documentation relevant to college, university, admissions-test and professional licensing-examination accommodations.
Appointments are generally available within 1–2 weeks. Written reports are typically completed approximately one week after testing.
Some adults were never evaluated during childhood. Others need updated testing because their previous documentation no longer reflects their current functioning or does not address the requirements of a particular educational program or testing organization.
Adults commonly seek an evaluation because they:
• Read more slowly than their peers
• Need to reread passages to understand or retain information
• Struggle with spelling or written expression
• Have difficulty completing timed examinations
• Experience considerable fatigue during prolonged reading
• Avoid reading aloud
• Have a history of tutoring, intervention or academic difficulty
• Previously received an IEP or Section 504 Plan
• Suspect that reading difficulties have been masked by intelligence or effort
• Need updated documentation for college or university disability services
• Are preparing to request accommodations for an admissions or licensing examination
An evaluation can help distinguish dyslexia from attention, memory, language, processing-speed or executive-function difficulties.
Dyslexia testing examines more than basic reading accuracy. Depending on the referral questions and documentation requirements, an evaluation may assess:
• Word reading and decoding
• Reading fluency and rate
• Reading comprehension
• Spelling and written expression
• Phonological awareness and memory
• Rapid naming
• Oral language and vocabulary
• Cognitive abilities and reasoning
• Working memory and processing speed
• Learning and memory
• Attention and sustained concentration
• Executive functioning
• Academic, developmental and treatment history
• Functional limitations in academic and testing settings
The evaluation considers the complete pattern of test results and history rather than relying on one score or screening measure.
Focused Adult Dyslexia Evaluation — $1,700
This targeted option is designed for adults whose primary concern is reading or possible dyslexia.
It generally includes:
• Clinical interview and relevant developmental history
• Review of available educational and clinical records
• Targeted testing of reading, decoding and phonological processing
• Behavioral observations
• Diagnostic conclusions when supported
• Individualized recommendations
• Feedback consultation
• Written psychological report
Testing generally takes approximately 1–2 hours, although the time may vary according to the referral questions and documentation needed.
Comprehensive Adult Dyslexia and Learning Evaluation — $3,500
A comprehensive evaluation is appropriate when broader documentation is required or when reading difficulties may occur alongside problems involving attention, memory, processing speed or executive functioning.
The comprehensive evaluation includes learning-disability measures together with a broad cognitive and neuropsychological battery, including:
• WAIS-5 cognitive testing
• Comprehensive academic achievement testing
• Phonological-processing and dyslexia-specific measures
• D-KEFS executive-function testing
• CPT-3 attention testing
• Executive-function rating scales
• Behavioral and emotional rating scales when clinically relevant
• Cognitive-processing and memory measures
• Review of relevant educational and clinical records
• Feedback consultation
• Comprehensive written psychological report
The precise battery is selected according to the individual’s history, referral questions and the documentation requirements being addressed.
Dyslexia and ADHD can occur together, but they affect performance in different ways.
Dyslexia primarily affects the development and efficient use of reading and related language skills. ADHD may affect sustained attention, task completion, organization and consistency. Working-memory, processing-speed and executive-function weaknesses can further complicate reading and timed testing.
A comprehensive evaluation can examine whether an adult’s difficulties are best explained by dyslexia, ADHD, another learning disorder or a combination of conditions.
Strong reasoning, vocabulary, memory or problem-solving abilities can sometimes mask dyslexia. An adult may earn acceptable grades or complete advanced education while reading much more slowly, relying on extensive preparation or avoiding courses and tasks that demand rapid reading.
A comprehensive evaluation compares cognitive strengths with reading, writing and processing skills. This can help explain why an intelligent and capable adult continues to experience significant difficulty with reading efficiency or timed examinations.
Colleges and universities may request current documentation before considering accommodations through their disability-services offices.
When supported by the findings, an evaluation may document:
• The diagnosed condition
• Relevant developmental and educational history
• Objective test results
• Current functional limitations
• The relationship between the condition and requested accommodations
• Clinically appropriate recommendations
Possible recommendations may include extended testing time, reduced-distraction testing, assistive technology or other supports. Each institution independently establishes its documentation requirements and determines eligibility for accommodations.
Adults frequently seek dyslexia evaluations when requesting accommodations for high-stakes standardized examinations.
Depending on the individual’s educational or professional path, documentation may be relevant to:
• SAT, PSAT or Advanced Placement examinations administered by College Board
• ACT examinations
• GRE examinations
• GMAT examinations
• LSAT examinations administered by LSAC
• MCAT examinations administered by the AAMC
• Medical and health-professions examinations
• USMLE and other medical licensing examinations
• Florida Bar Examination and other bar examinations
• Other professional certification and licensing examinations
Testing organizations establish their own documentation standards and make their own accommodation decisions. An evaluation cannot guarantee approval, a particular accommodation or a specific amount of extended time.
Before scheduling, applicants should review the current requirements of the organization receiving the documentation. Whenever possible, bring those requirements and any previous testing or accommodation records to the initial consultation.
When supported by the clinical history and test results, the report may include:
• A diagnosis of Specific Learning Disorder with impairment in reading
• An explanation of relevant reading and cognitive weaknesses
• Objective evidence of current functional limitations
• A discussion of how the condition affects timed testing or academic performance
• A review of prior services and accommodations
• Recommendations linked to the documented limitations
• Test scores and interpretive findings
• A comprehensive written report
The report is designed to provide clear clinical documentation. The receiving school, university, testing agency or licensing organization independently determines whether its requirements have been satisfied.
Following the evaluation, clients receive:
• A clear explanation of their results
• Diagnostic conclusions when supported
• Identification of cognitive and academic strengths
• Identification of reading, processing, attention or executive-function weaknesses
• Individualized recommendations
• Accommodation recommendations when clinically appropriate
• A written psychological report
• A feedback consultation
The goal is not simply to assign a diagnosis. It is to explain the pattern behind the difficulty and provide useful next steps.
Free phone consultation
We begin with a brief consultation to discuss your concerns, the purpose of the evaluation and the documentation you may need.
Intake and records
You complete intake forms and provide relevant educational, clinical and accommodation records. If the evaluation is intended for a particular examination, we recommend providing that organization’s current documentation requirements.
Testing
Testing may be completed virtually or in person at our Naples office, depending on the assessment measures, referral questions, client location and documentation requirements. We will discuss the appropriate format during the consultation.
Feedback and written report
The findings are explained during a feedback consultation. Written reports are typically completed approximately one week after testing.
Can adults be diagnosed with dyslexia?
Yes. Dyslexia is a neurodevelopmental learning disorder that begins during the developmental period, but many people are not formally evaluated until adulthood. The evaluation considers current test findings together with developmental, educational and functional history.
What is the difference between focused and comprehensive testing?
Focused testing primarily examines reading and dyslexia-related skills. A comprehensive evaluation also examines cognitive abilities, academic achievement, attention, memory, processing speed and executive functioning. Comprehensive testing is generally more appropriate when the clinical picture is complex or extensive documentation is required.
Will the report guarantee testing accommodations?
No. When clinically supported, the evaluation may document a diagnosis, functional limitations and accommodation recommendations. The testing organization, university or licensing authority independently reviews the request and determines eligibility.
Can the evaluation support an MCAT, LSAT or Florida Bar accommodation request?
The evaluation may provide relevant clinical documentation when the findings support a diagnosis and functional limitations. The AAMC, LSAC, Florida Board of Bar Examiners and other organizations apply their own current documentation standards and independently decide whether accommodations will be approved.
Should I provide previous records?
Yes. Previous evaluations, school records, IEPs, 504 Plans, accommodation histories, transcripts and relevant treatment records may help document the developmental history and persistence of the difficulty.
Can the intake consultation be completed virtually?
Yes. Adult dyslexia evaluations may be completed virtually or in person, depending on the assessment measures, referral questions, client location and the requirements of the organization receiving the report. Some testing programs or licensing organizations may have specific documentation or administration requirements, which should be reviewed before scheduling.
Does insurance cover adult dyslexia testing?
Bright Future Psychology can provide a superbill upon request. Reimbursement depends on the individual insurance plan, diagnosis, benefits and medical-necessity requirements. We cannot guarantee that an insurer will reimburse any portion of the evaluation.
How quickly can I schedule?
Appointments are generally available within 1–2 weeks. Written reports are typically completed approximately one week after testing.
If reading difficulties are affecting college, graduate education or a high-stakes examination, an adult dyslexia evaluation can clarify the underlying problem and identify appropriate next steps.
Contact Bright Future Psychology to schedule a free phone consultation with a psychologist and discuss the evaluation and documentation you need.
Bright Future Psychology
5633 Strand Blvd, Suite 311, Naples
Welcome! We offer free 20-min phone consultations. Looking forward to speaking with you to see how we can help.