Evaluation Criteria

In order to be considered for evaluation at the Center, an individual must be:

• A Tennessee resident
• In kindergarten through grade 12
• In public, private, or home school

We are unable to evaluate individuals whose learning difficulties are primarily related to:

• Lack of English proficiency
• Low cognitive ability / Intellectual Disability
• Severe emotional or behavioral problems / Emotional Disturbance
• Autism Spectrum Disorder
• Hearing or vision impairment that cannot be corrected
• A Specific Learning Disability (SLD) in Basic Reading Skills and/or Reading Fluency*

*Students who have a documented Specific Learning Disability in Basic Reading Skills and/or Reading Fluency have already been found to have dyslexia based on the special education eligibility criteria adopted by the state of Tennessee for those two categories. These students should be receiving dyslexia specific intervention services in accordance with T.C.A. § 49-1-229. The following documents further explain the relationship between Specific Learning Disability and dyslexia:

• Characteristics of Dyslexia and Dyslexia: Differences and Implications (Tennessee Department of Education)
• 5 Questions Parents and Educators Can Ask to Start Conversations About Using Terms Like Learning Disabilities, Dyslexia, Dyscalculia, and Dysgraphia (AIM Institute, Council of Administrators of Special Education, Council for Exceptional Children, Council for Learning Disabilities, Division for Learning Disabilities, Eye to Eye, Learning Disabilities Association of American, National Association of State Directors of Special Education, National Association of School Psychologists, National Center for Learning Disabilities, Parent Educational Advocacy Training Center, Understood)

Students who have a documented Specific Learning Disability (SLD) in Basic Reading Skills and/or Reading Fluency may be considered for a consultation with the Center. A consultation consists of a thorough review of the child’s educational and testing information and a brief interview their parent or legal guardian. Guided by that information, Center staff will address evidence of characteristics of dyslexia and provide instructional recommendations based on the child’s individual needs. Parents/guardians will receive a report that includes instructional recommendations for their child. They are encouraged to share this report with the child’s school. Requests for consultations are processed through our evaluation application process. Please review the procedures for requesting an evaluation for additional details.

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