Occupational Evaluation of Characteristics of Dyslexia, Dysgraphia, Convergency Insufficiency and Auditory Processing Screenings
Occupational therapists are able to provide objective, standardized assessments to determine the root causes and characteristics that most align with dyslexia, dysgraphia, and convergence insufficiency for children ages 5 – 17. Our in-house speech-language pathologists can provide an auditory processing screener. Upon analysis of the assessment batteries, you will receive a written report that will indicate each assessment battery’s results to include standardized scores and percentile ranks levels specific to the area assessed. Our testing provides us with specific information for your child for us to develop a custom treatment plan. We suggest you provide your primary care physician with a copy of the report for their determination of a medical diagnosis or referral for further testing for a definitive diagnosis.
Below are the characteristics we look for:
Why do we test for this?
Deficits in Auditory Working Memory can affect one’s ability to accurately store or act on discrete information that is heard. For example, deficits in this area can make it difficult to follow verbal directions accurately and fully.
Why do we test for this?
Deficits in Visual Working Memory can affect one’s ability to accurately store or act on discrete information that is seen. For example, deficits in this area can make it very difficult to learn words using flashcards.
Why do we test for this?
Identifying specific difficulties and/or strengths in one or more of the following areas is critical to understand how a person can learn best:
Say what is Heard
Say what is Seen
Write what is Heard
Write what is Seen
Why do we test for this?
DCT can identify specific areas of struggle to include visual memory, spatial awareness, figure ground, visual closure and visual discrimination. Deficits in these areas can affect one’s ability to process, recall and write information that is seen, even if eyes are healthy and acuity is 20/20. For example, deficits in this area can make it difficult to interpret geometry problems or to quickly identify letters that look similar in both reading and writing.
Why do we test for this?
Deficits in VMI can affect one’s ability to write detailed information accurately. For example, copying from the board, lining up math problems, and handwriting may be challenging.
Why do we test for this?
Deficits in this area can make it hard to work with and discriminate among the sounds that make up words (phonemes and syllables). If such deficits are not directly addressed, the ability to read and spell phonetically will be adversely affected.
Why do we test for this?
Deficits in this area can make reading and spelling from memory difficult.
Why do we test for this?
An accurate analysis of reading and spelling of words in isolation is necessary, to identify where to begin in the Dyslexia Center of Tulsa reading curriculum.
Why do we test for this?
The task of handwriting is broken down into letter formation, letter spacing, word spacing, starting point and letter recognition. Results allow the team to develop customized treatment approach to best meet your child’s specific need.
Why do we test for this?
An accurate analysis of high-level reading skills are also necessary to identify where to begin in the Orton-Gillingham based Wilson Reading Program.
Why do we test for this?
Primitive Survival Reflexes are normal reflexes that help babies develop. These reflexes should extinguish long before reading age. When they do not, your child may experience symptoms that resemble the symptoms of dyslexia. If these reflexes are not integrated, treatment can be provided to fully integrate them for the symptoms to fully extinguish or diminish.
Why do we test for this?
Lack of sensory integration can be a distraction for your child to focus or participate in the learning process and learning to read. An increased sensitivity to sound, touch, smell, organizational ability, balance, visual stimulation and socialization can be identified and treated. Once addressed your child will have a greater ability to participate in the learning process.