Assessment of dyslexia in bilingual students

The assessment of dyslexia in bilingual students is a complex process that requires a holistic and culturally sensitive approach. In an increasingly globalized world, where linguistic diversity is the norm, understanding how dyslexia manifests itself in bilingual contexts is essential to ensure accurate identification and effective support.

This session will address the challenges and best practices in the assessment of dyslexia in students who speak two or more languages, highlighting the importance of considering linguistic and cultural diversity in this process.

Difficulties in early identification

Early identification of dyslexia in bilingual students can be especially challenging due to variations in language development. The signs of dyslexia may manifest themselves differently in each language, which can lead to misunderstandings and delays in intervention. Professionals must be alert to the differences and similarities in reading and writing difficulties in both languages for more accurate early identification. A comprehensive assessment of dyslexia in bilingual students should include the evaluation of language skills in each spoken language. This involves examining phonological awareness, decoding, reading speed and reading comprehension in both languages to obtain a complete picture of each student's specific skills and challenges.

Cultural adaptation of tests

The tests used in the evaluation must be culturally adapted to ensure fairness in the process. Cultural differences in the way reading and writing tasks are approached must be considered to avoid bias in the results.

Culturally adapting tests also involves selecting relevant and contextually appropriate materials for bilingual students.

Interviews with parents and educators

The information provided by parents and educators is invaluable in the assessment of dyslexia in bilingual students. Structured interviews addressing language development in both linguistic environments and observations about specific difficulties in each language can provide a unique perspective. Collaboration between professionals, parents and educators is essential to obtain a complete understanding of the students' skills profile.

Analyzing skill transfer

Since bilingual students may acquire reading and writing skills in parallel in two languages, it is crucial to analyze skill transfer between languages.

Strategies that are effective in one language may not apply directly to the other, and professionals should evaluate how students apply these skills in bilingual contexts. This can reveal unique patterns of strengths and weaknesses in each language. Metalinguistic awareness, which includes phonological awareness and other metacognitive skills, should be assessed in both languages. These skills, which are fundamental to the development of reading and writing, may vary between langu