St
udent Name ________________________________________
Date _________________________School_________________
Person Completing Checklist _____________________________
Characteristics of Dyslexia Checklist
To be considered for further screening, student should exhibit 15 of the following
characteristics. Student work must be included with this screener and be part of
the decision process. **Be mindful of characteristics in relation to normal age
appropriate development.
Appears bright, highly intelligent, and articulate but unable to read, write, or
spell at grade level
Labeled lazy, dumb, careless, immature, “not trying hard enough,” or
“behavior problem”
High in IQ, yet may not test well academically; tests well orally, but not
written
Feels dumb; has poor self-esteem; hides or covers up weaknesses with
ingenious compensatory strategies; easily frustrated and emotional about
school reading or testing
Talented in art, drama, music, sports, mechanics, story-telling, designing, or
building
Seems to “Zone out” or daydream often; gets lost easily or loses track of time
Learns best through hands-on experience, demonstrations, experimentation,
observation, and visual aids
Complains of dizziness, headaches or stomach aches while reading
Confused by letters, numbers, words, sequences, or verbal explanations
Reading or writing shows repetitions, additions, transpositions, omissions,
substitutions, and reversals in letters, numbers and/or words
Complains of feeling or seeing nonexistent movement while reading, writing
or
copying