FREE CALT Formal and Informal Assessment for Dyslexia Questions and Answers

Question 1

What is the primary purpose of a comprehensive psycho-educational evaluation for suspected dyslexia?

Accepted Answer

To identify a specific pattern of linguistic strengths and weaknesses characteristic of dyslexia.

Answer

To determine a student's general intelligence (IQ) score.

Answer

To provide a medical diagnosis for Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).

Answer

To recommend a specific school placement without further analysis.

Question 2

The Comprehensive Test of Phonological Processing (CTOPP-2) is a key tool in a dyslexia evaluation because it measures which core set of skills?

Accepted Answer

Phonological awareness, phonological memory, and rapid automatized naming.

Answer

Reading comprehension, vocabulary, and spelling.

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Visual-motor integration, handwriting speed, and spatial awareness.

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Mathematical reasoning, calculation fluency, and problem-solving.

Question 3

How does a norm-referenced assessment differ from a criterion-referenced assessment?

Accepted Answer

Norm-referenced tests compare a student to a peer group, while criterion-referenced tests measure mastery of specific skills.

Answer

Norm-referenced tests are informal, while criterion-referenced tests are formal.

Answer

Norm-referenced tests are only used for reading, while criterion-referenced tests are only for math.

Answer

There is no significant difference; the terms are used interchangeably.

Question 4

An academic language therapist uses informal assessments, such as observing a student read a list of nonsense words, primarily to:

Accepted Answer

Guide daily instructional decisions and monitor progress on specific skills.

Answer

Provide a formal diagnosis of a specific learning disability.

Answer

Determine eligibility for special education services.

Answer

Replace the need for formal, standardized testing.

Question 5

Which assessment profile is most indicative of the classic presentation of dyslexia?

Accepted Answer

Average verbal comprehension and reasoning with significantly low phonological processing and word reading scores.

Answer

Low scores across all cognitive and academic domains.

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High scores in reading fluency and comprehension with low scores in math calculation.

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Average scores in all academic areas but below-average scores in fine motor skills and handwriting.

Question 6

A therapist wants to assess a student's orthographic mapping ability. Which task would be most effective?

Accepted Answer

Administering a timed nonsense word reading fluency test.

Answer

Asking the student to retell a story they just heard.

Answer

Having the student complete a reading comprehension worksheet.

Answer

Giving a test of receptive vocabulary.