What to Ask for in a Dyslexia Evaluation Report

If your child has already been through testing, you may assume the hard part is over. Then the report shows up and it is full of scores, terms you do not recognize, and long paragraphs that still do not answer your biggest question: What does this mean for my child now?

That is a very common parent experience.

A dyslexia evaluation report should do more than confirm concerns. It should help you understand your child’s reading profile, explain what is getting in the way, and give you something useful to bring to school or tutoring.

Here is what to ask for in a dyslexia evaluation report so the results feel clearer and more actionable.

Ask for a clear summary in plain language

A good report should not make you work hard to figure out the main point.

You should be able to find a short summary that explains:

• whether the evaluator found evidence of dyslexia
• which reading skills were weakest
• which skills were stronger
• how those patterns show up in school or homework
• what kind of support is recommended next

If the report is heavy on test names and light on explanation, ask the evaluator to walk you through it in everyday language.

You can say something like, “Can you explain the main findings as if I were telling them to my child’s teacher?”

That often leads to a much more useful explanation than a technical summary alone.

Which reading skills should the report break down?

One of the most important things to ask for in a dyslexia evaluation report is a breakdown of which parts of reading are hard.

A report is much more helpful when it separates reading into specific skill areas instead of simply saying your child is “below grade level.”

Look for information about:

• phonemic awareness
• decoding
• word recognition
• spelling
• reading fluency
• reading comprehension
• rapid naming or processing speed, if tested

This matters because two children can both struggle with reading for very different reasons.

For example, one child may understand stories well when listening but struggle to decode unfamiliar words on the page. Another child may read the words accurately but so slowly that comprehension falls apart by the end of the paragraph.

Those are different profiles, and they need different support.

Ask how the results affect school performance

Parents often get a report that explains the testing but says very little about daily school life.

That is a missed opportunity.

A useful report should connect test findings to real classroom tasks. Ask for specific explanation around questions like:

• Why does my child avoid reading?
• Why do homework assignments take so long?
• Why is spelling still so weak?
• Why does reading seem better some days than others?
• Why can my child answer questions aloud but not in writing?

When the report makes those connections, it becomes easier to explain your child’s needs to a classroom teacher, interventionist, or school team.

It also helps you feel more confident that the struggle is not laziness or lack of effort.

What recommendations should be included?

This is where many reports fall short.

Some reports end with vague advice like “continue to monitor progress” or “provide reading support as needed.” That does not give parents much to work with.

Ask for recommendations that are specific enough to guide next steps.

Helpful recommendations may include:

• the type of reading instruction your child needs
• whether structured literacy or Orton-Gillingham based intervention is appropriate
• how often support may be needed
• whether school accommodations should be considered
• what to monitor over time
• whether outside tutoring, school services, or both make sense

You do not need the evaluator to predict everything perfectly. But you do want the report to point toward a plan.

If the recommendations feel too broad, ask, “What would this support actually look like in a school week?”

A real-world example

A parent might receive a report that says their fifth grader has average verbal reasoning, below-average decoding, weak spelling, and slow reading fluency. On paper, that can sound abstract.

But when the evaluator explains it clearly, the pattern makes sense.

The child may be bright, talkative, and full of ideas, yet still dread reading assignments because pulling words off the page takes so much effort. They may study for spelling tests and forget the patterns by the next week. They may know the answer during class discussion but struggle to read the chapter independently.

That kind of explanation helps a parent see the whole picture. It also makes it much easier to advocate for the right support.

Simple things to do after you get the report

Once you have the report in hand, try these steps:

1. Highlight the clearest findings. Mark the sentences that explain your child’s main reading weaknesses and strengths.
2. Write down your questions. Circle anything vague, especially around diagnosis, recommendations, or school support.
3. Ask for a follow-up conversation. Even a short call can help you understand the report much better.
4. Share only the most useful parts first. When talking with school staff, start with the summary, key findings, and recommendations.

You do not need to master every score in the report right away. Start with the parts that help you understand what your child needs next.

If the report still feels unclear

If you have read it twice and still feel unsure, trust that instinct.

A dyslexia evaluation report should leave you with more clarity, not more confusion. It is okay to ask the evaluator to explain terms, define test results, or connect the findings to classroom support. That is part of the process.

You might also find this helpful: Questions to Ask After a Dyslexia Diagnosis

A good report can become a roadmap. It should help you understand your child more clearly and make the next step feel less overwhelming.

If your child needs extra reading practice at home, ReadGenie offers structured, supportive practice built around phonics, repetition, and decodable reading. You can explore it here: App Store or Google Play.