Dyslexia Test: How can I know for sure?
Dyslexia Testing: Should You Get Diagnosed? Is It Worth It?
How do you know if you have dyslexia? You can take our Dyslexia Quiz to find out here.
Simple answer: You take a dyslexia quiz or test.
Makes sense, right? But here’s where it gets messy most people go looking for a test and end up falling into a confusing maze of half-baked online quizzes, pricey psych reports, and questions that sound like they were built for 8-year-olds, not adults who’ve been battling their brain for decades.
So let’s break it down, with honesty, humour, and the truth you probably haven’t been told.
The Problem with Dyslexia Tests (and Why It’s So Confusing)
Here’s what we see a lot:
✅ An online dyslexia quiz or test can be helpful, but most are built around kids. They focus purely on reading and writing, not the broader adult challenges like memory, organisation, and emotional overwhelm. Our test goes beyond words because your dyslexia probably does too.
✅ A formal educational psychologist report can cost up to USD 1000+ in some places, and often gives you a piece of paper with very little follow-up support. You’re left holding a diagnosis, going, “Cool... now what?”
✅ And let’s be real, getting tested as an adult is emotionally heavy. It’s scary. It feels like stepping into the Matrix. What if you are dyslexic? What does it mean? Who do you tell? How does it change how you see yourself?
My Journey (And Why I Get It)
I’m Stephen — co-founder of The Truth About Dyslexia and host of our podcast (which has had over 400,000 downloads). I was lucky. A teacher spotted something when I was 10 and pushed for testing.
Afterwards, my parents teared up. They’d always thought I was smart, but couldn’t explain why my results didn’t match. Suddenly, there was an explanation.
And I remember saying:
"At least I know I'm not stupid."
That sentence changed my life. Because knowing gave me something no school report ever had power. Power to understand, adapt, and accept who I really was.
So... Should You Get A Dyslexia Test?
Honestly? I’m torn. Here’s why:
🚫 Cons of Getting a Dyslexia Diagnosis
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It’s emotionally confronting. Realising you’ve gone decades not knowing can bring up deep stuff. Shame, grief, even anger. You’ve been living under a label that never fit.
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Will it really change things? If you've already done research, listened to podcasts, and joined the dots, will a diagnosis give you more clarity… or just a confirmation?
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It’s expensive. Depending on where you live, it can cost $600 to $1500+ unless insurance, a government agency, or your employer covers it.
✅ Pros of Getting a Dyslexia Diagnosis
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You get clarity. And as dyslexics, we thrive on clarity. Knowing for sure helps you plan. It gives your brain a break from second-guessing.
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Education support. If you're studying, you might get extra time, resources, or tech support once diagnosed. That stuff is gold.
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Workplace support. A diagnosis can lead to accommodations at work better understanding, adjusted expectations, even funding for support tools. Remember, it's not a disability, it's a difference.
The 5 Stages of Dyslexia Realisation (Adult Edition)
This is what we’ve seen time and time again with the adults we work with:
1. It Lands On Your Radar
It usually starts like this:
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You’ve always wondered… and then a podcast, video or meme hits home.
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Your kid or sibling gets diagnosed… and the dots start connecting.
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You read the symptoms and suddenly go, “Oh... this is me.”
2. You Dive into Research
Like most dyslexics, once it’s on your radar, you go deep. You binge podcasts, read blogs, watch videos.
Your intuition kicks in, and 9 times out of 10, you already know.
This is where the magic starts to happen. It’s like the pennies start dropping all at once.
3. You Take An Online Dyslexia Test or Quiz
This is where we come in.
Our adult-focused dyslexia quiz is quick, simple, and built to reveal the real-life stuff that often gets missed.
It doesn’t diagnose — but it gets you thinking.
Most people walk away going, “Oh wow… this explains so much.”
4. You Try a Screening Tool
We recommend checking out Dystech a tool built by Hugo (a dyslexic legend) that uses AI to screen kids aged 4–10. It’s not quite ready for adults yet, but the tech is evolving fast.
5. You Get the Official Diagnosis (Maybe)
This is the formal route — working with an educational psychologist. It’s like a marriage certificate for your neurodiversity.
You can live without it.
But if you want the paperwork for work, uni, or just for personal validation this is the gold standard.
You’ll find testing providers through local dyslexia associations or by googling “dyslexia assessment near me.”
So, Where Do You Start?
Right here:
👉 Take our Adult Dyslexia Quiz it’ll give you one of three results and help you get clear on whether this path is worth exploring.
We’ve also reviewed other dyslexia tests so you can compare what’s out there and see what’s right for you.
It’s not about labels, it’s about self-awareness. Knowing how your brain works is the first step in creating a life that works with you, not against you.
Final Thought
If you've read this far, you're already on the journey.
You might not need a psychologist to tell you you're dyslexic you might just need to trust yourself.
Whether you are in the UK , USA, NZ or Australia people want to help. Dyslexia is coming out of the 'closet' so to speak and people are more confident with being open with is. Maybe less in certain US States.
But if the clarity, validation, or formal recognition would help? Go for it.
Whether you're in the early research phase, taking online quizzes, or staring down the cost of a full diagnosis, just know this:
You're not broken. You're wired differently.
And once you know how that wiring works, you can build something incredible with it.
Need help or want to share your story?
Jump over to the Truth About Dyslexia Facebook group or share this post with someone who's still wondering, “Could I be dyslexic?”
