(DESD Kit includes test booklet, 100 Spelling test forms, 100 recording forms, and manual)

This screening test, which was standardized on a sample of 678 students in grades 1 through 8, allows you to detect and assess a child�s specific reading difficulties due to dyslexia. The sight-word recognition section is norm-referenced (reading standard scores). The encoding section for visual recall of word orthography and the encoding section for phonetic analysis are indicators to distinguish deficits in sight-word recognition and spelling, i.e., dyseidetic ("visual") dyslexia from that of deficits in phonetic analysis for decoding of words, i.e., dysphonetic ("auditory") dyslexia. The section on letter writing allows you to detect an abnormal frequency of reversals, indicating dysnemkinetic ("motoric") dyslexia. Each of these three basic subtypes of dyslexia can be identified and assessed as to severity (mild, moderate, or marked). Combinations of the three allow for four mixed subtypes for a total of seven subtypes. The order from least to most severe is as follows: motoric, auditory, motoric-auditory, visual, motoric-visual, auditory-visual, motoric-auditory-visual. More clinically, these subtypes are: dysnemkinesia, dysphonesia, dysnemkinphonesia, dyseidesia, dysnemkineidesia, dysphoneidesia, dysnemkinphoneidesia. The DESD allows identification of children who are at risk for these subtypes of dyslexia, so they can be referred without delay to special services. Early screening and intervention improves the effectiveness of educational therapy and minimizes secondary emotional problems dyslexia can create.

The test book is printed on coated heavy weight stock for durability and includes a mask. Additional pads of recording and decoding sheets are available.

The DESD was developed by Drs Griffin, Walton and Christenson after extensive validation. They have been on staff at the Southern California College of Optometry. DESD scores are correlated with the NEAT Word Recognition score.