| Follow these easy steps to quickly and accurately | | | | against the standard speeds which can be found |
| measure your child's reading ability. It is better to | | | | on reading speed charts available online. There are |
| catch a potential reading disorder while your child | | | | many reading speed charts available for free on |
| is still young, and it can be corrected, than to wait | | | | the internet and you can find a widely accepted |
| until it becomes an insurmountable obstacle to | | | | chart on my site linked in the bio section of this |
| their success in life. Slow reading speed and low | | | | article. |
| comprehension are both indicators that your child | | | | Step 6: Comprehension is easy to determine by |
| may have a reading disorder. | | | | forming questions from sentences taken directly |
| You will need: a short reading passage, a timer, | | | | from the text. Generally between 5-7 questions |
| and a calculator. | | | | will give a good idea of your child's comprehension. |
| Step 1: Choose a short reading passage (no more | | | | Above 80% is very good, while comprehension |
| than a page or two) that is slightly above your | | | | below 60% indicates that a reading problem may |
| child's age/grade level. For example, if your child is | | | | exist. However you must take into consideration |
| in 2nd grade, ask your child's school what books | | | | that if your child is reading below the accepted |
| the 3rd grade is reading. You can then purchase | | | | speed for their age, they may need assistance |
| one or borrow one from your local library or even | | | | even if their comprehension level is above 60%. |
| find a sample online. | | | | Step 7: The last key is vocabulary assessment |
| Step 2: Ask your child to read the passage aloud. | | | | which is more involved than the simple DIY test |
| Make sure your child is comfortable and relaxed. | | | | and will generally require specific diagnostic |
| Let them know that this is not a test but that | | | | software to measure your child's working |
| you will be measuring how quickly they can read | | | | vocabulary as well as to pinpoint any deficiencies. |
| the passage. This will give you an idea of their | | | | The key in correcting a reading disorder is to |
| reading abilities under slight pressure (which will | | | | recognize it before it becomes a severe problem. |
| simulate the school situation without unnecessarily | | | | The information in this article should not be taken |
| complicating things). | | | | as professional medical advice, but rather as |
| Step 3: Grab a stopwatch or use the clock on | | | | information for you to make a decision about |
| your wall or computer. Start the timer once they | | | | whether professional support should be sought. |
| begin reading and stop the timer once they have | | | | If you feel that your child may need help, please |
| read the pages you decided on before hand. | | | | seek out a professional reading specialist or |
| Step 4: Then simply divide the number of words | | | | learning consultant to discuss your options for |
| on the pages read by the number of minutes | | | | correcting your child's disorder. There are many |
| taken to read the passage. | | | | traditional and non-traditional methods out there, |
| Step 5: Now simply compare the measured speed | | | | and I urge you to consider your options carefully. |