Dyslexia Testing in Sacramento & the Bay Area
Does my child have dyslexia?
If your child is smart, works hard, and still struggles to read — you've probably asked this question more than once. Maybe teachers have said they'll catch up. Maybe you've tried tutoring and it hasn't clicked. Maybe something just feels off, and you need answers.
A dyslexia evaluation can tell you exactly what's happening — and what to do about it.
What is dyslexia?
Dyslexia is a specific learning disability that affects how the brain processes written and spoken language. It is neurological in origin — meaning it's not caused by low intelligence, lack of effort, or poor teaching. In fact, many children with dyslexia are highly intelligent. Their brains are simply wired differently when it comes to decoding words.
Dyslexia is the most common learning disability, affecting an estimated 1 in 5 people. It frequently runs in families. And it is entirely treatable with the right approach — but only once it's been properly identified.
Common signs of dyslexia include:
Difficulty learning to read despite good instruction
Slow, labored reading or frequent guessing at words
Trouble sounding out unfamiliar words
Poor spelling that doesn't improve with practice
Difficulty rhyming or identifying individual sounds in words
Reading avoidance or frustration around literacy tasks
Strong verbal skills that don't match written output
A family history of reading difficulties
Dyslexia looks different at different ages. In young children it often shows up as difficulty learning letter sounds. In older students it may look like slow reading, poor spelling, or avoidance of reading-heavy subjects. In teens and adults it can be subtle — compensated for over years — but still creating real barriers.
Why does a formal evaluation matter?
A formal dyslexia evaluation does several things a screening or observation cannot:
It gives you a diagnosis. In California, a formal diagnosis of dyslexia (identified as a Specific Learning Disability in Reading) opens doors — to IEP or 504 plan eligibility, to specialized instruction, to extended time on standardized tests, and to college accommodations.
It tells you exactly where the breakdown is. Dyslexia is not one thing. Some children struggle with phonological processing. Others have difficulty with reading fluency, decoding, or orthographic memory. An evaluation pinpoints which skills are affected so that intervention can be targeted — not generic.
It rules out other causes. Reading difficulties can also stem from attention problems, processing speed issues, vision concerns, language differences, or anxiety. A comprehensive evaluation considers all of these and helps you understand the full picture.
It gives you something to take to school. A private evaluation report carries significant weight in IEP and 504 meetings. It can unlock services your child wasn't previously receiving and provide independent evidence if the school has questioned the severity of your child's needs.
What does a dyslexia evaluation at BridgEd Psych include?
Our dyslexia evaluations are comprehensive, not cursory. We assess the full range of skills involved in reading and language processing, including:
Phonological processing — the ability to identify, manipulate, and work with the sounds in spoken language. This is the core deficit in most cases of dyslexia.
Reading decoding — the ability to sound out words, including nonsense words that can't be guessed from context.
Reading fluency — how quickly and accurately your child reads connected text. Many children with dyslexia decode adequately but read so slowly it affects comprehension and stamina.
Reading comprehension — understanding what has been read, which can be affected by both decoding difficulties and language processing challenges.
Spelling and written expression — dyslexia almost always affects spelling, and often affects writing more broadly.
Rapid automatized naming — a measure of processing speed that is closely linked to reading fluency and is one of the strongest predictors of dyslexia.
Cognitive and intellectual abilities — to understand your child's full learning profile and identify any discrepancies between ability and achievement.
We also gather information from you and your child's teachers through structured rating scales and interviews — because what happens in a testing room needs to be understood in the context of what you see every day.
What happens after the evaluation?
After testing, we write a detailed, plain-language report that explains what we found, what it means for your child's daily life, and exactly what to do next. We then meet with you in a feedback session to walk through the results together.
Depending on what we find, next steps may include:
Requesting an IEP or 504 plan from your child's school
Specific intervention recommendations (such as Orton-Gillingham, Wilson Reading, or RAVE-O)
Tutoring referrals with specialists who are trained in structured literacy
Accommodations for standardized testing (SAT, ACT, AP exams)
Referrals to other specialists if co-occurring concerns are identified
You will leave knowing what your child has, why they're struggling, and what will actually help.
Dyslexia and ADHD — a common combination
ADHD and dyslexia co-occur in roughly 30–40% of cases. If your child struggles with both attention and reading, it's important that both are assessed — because treating one without understanding the other often leads to incomplete results. Our evaluations assess for co-occurring concerns as part of the process.
Who we serve
We provide dyslexia testing for children, teens, and young adults across Sacramento and the Bay Area, including:
Children in early elementary school showing early signs of reading difficulty
Teens needing documentation for college entrance exam accommodations (SAT, ACT)
Young adults seeking accommodations in higher education or at work
Students whose school evaluations found them ineligible but who are clearly struggling
We serve families across Sacramento, Oakland, San Jose, Fremont, Walnut Creek, Palo Alto, and surrounding communities.
How much does dyslexia testing cost
Dyslexia testing at BridgEd Psych is included within our private psychoeducational evaluation packages, starting at $2,500 for a learning-focused evaluation. A full diagnostic evaluation including cognitive, academic, and social-emotional assessment is $3,500.
All evaluations are offered at a flat fee — no hidden costs, no surprise charges. Flexible payment plans are available, and we provide superbills for potential insurance reimbursement.
Frequently asked questions
At what age can dyslexia be diagnosed? Dyslexia can be formally identified as early as age 5–6, once a child has had meaningful exposure to reading instruction. Early identification leads to better outcomes — the brain is most responsive to reading intervention in the early elementary years. That said, it is never too late to be evaluated or to benefit from intervention.
My child's school said they don't have dyslexia. Should I get a second opinion? Yes, if your instincts tell you something has been missed. Schools are not required to use the word "dyslexia" in their reports (though California law now encourages them to), and their evaluations are designed to determine eligibility for services — not to give you the most comprehensive picture possible. A private evaluation can provide a more detailed assessment and an independent perspective.
Does California recognize dyslexia as a diagnosis? Yes. California passed legislation (AB 1369) in 2015 requiring schools to screen for dyslexia and to use the term "dyslexia" in evaluations when appropriate. A private diagnosis of dyslexia can support eligibility for a Specific Learning Disability in Reading under IDEA.
Will insurance cover dyslexia testing? BridgEd Psych is a private-pay practice. We do not bill insurance directly, but we provide superbills that you can submit to your insurance provider for potential out-of-network reimbursement. Coverage varies widely — contact your insurance provider to ask about reimbursement for neuropsychological or psychoeducational testing.
How long does the evaluation take? The full process typically takes 4–6 weeks from intake to final report. Direct testing with your child is usually completed across one or two sessions totaling 3–5 hours, depending on the scope of the evaluation.
Ready to get some answers?
If you've been wondering whether your child has dyslexia — and what to do about it — a comprehensive evaluation is the clearest path forward. We offer a free 20-minute consultation to answer your questions and help you decide if we're the right fit.
You'll be taken to our secure scheduling portal to choose a time that works for you.
Currently accepting new clients in Sacramento and the Bay Area.