A personal review of the Tests of Dyslexia (TOD)

December 9, 2024

By Helen Dimond, Read3 Consulting Speech Pathologist

As a speech pathologist with a keen interest in literacy, I’ve worked with my fair share of assessments for reading and learning difficulties.

Since the recent release of the Tests of Dyslexia (TOD) in Australia, I have been putting the TOD through its paces screening and assessing clients. After using it for several months, I can confirm that the TOD stands out in design and efficiency.

Here’s a closer look at why the TOD is a potential game-changer for dyslexia assessment.

1. Time-saving: quick but comprehensive

As a Speechie, time is precious, regardless of your work context. The TOD-Comprehensive (TOD-C) takes just 1.25 hours to administer which includes initial screening with the TOD-S (see below). I found this an incredibly efficient process for such a detailed assessment.

Despite its speed, the TOD doesn’t cut corners. It reviews all the key areas you’d expect in a dyslexia assessment—phonological awareness, rapid automatised naming, word recognition, decoding (including real and nonsense words), spelling, receptive vocabulary and reasoning, and reading fluency. The process is seamless, which makes it feel manageable for both the assessor and the child.

The TOD-Early (TOD-E), which was designed for younger kids aged 5-9. As the name would suggest, it is not as comprehensive as the TOD-C but rather helps identify areas of concern before they escalate. From here, early intervention needs can be identified and goals put in place. I did note that the TOD-C lacks an extended writing task, and the TOD-E lacks any writing at all, so supplementation may be necessary here. If cognition is flagged, referral to an Educational and Developmental Psychologist for assessment here will also be necessary.

The TOD-Screener (TOD-S) was created to help identify at-risk students. It takes around 10 minutes to complete which makes it a great tool for use in a school setting - it can even be administered to a group or class simultaneously! If risk is identified, schools can then refer on with confidence for further assessment and/or diagnosis. On the other hand, Speech Pathologists can roll straight into a detailed assessment, which brings me to my second point: dual purpose.

WPS Tests of Dyslexia

2. Dual purpose: screener and diagnostic tool in one

One of my favourite things about the TOD is its flexibility. I love that I can start with the screener to identify students who might need extra support. If the screener flags concerns, I can easily transition to the full diagnostic assessment, or start intervention straight away, without having to bring in a separate tool.

This dual functionality saves time, money, and a lot of hassle. The TOD-Screener provides a quick snapshot, while the TOD-Comprehensive digs deeper into areas like:

Phonological Awareness (e.g., rhyming, blending, and segmenting sounds)
Orthographic Processing (how well a child recognises and remembers written words)
Reading Fluency and Efficiency (timed reading tasks are included here)

The advantage of having everything under one umbrella cannot be overstated. Rather than juggling multiple assessments, converting scores, and cross referencing categories it all works seamlessly. No more looking up multiple descriptors for standard scores in three or four different manuals!

3. Cost-effective: fewer tests, more value

We all know the cost of assessment tools can add up quickly, especially if you need separate tests for screening, diagnosis, and progress monitoring.
The TOD-C assesses the reading and linguistic (processing) skills linked to dyslexia, and also examines vocabulary and comprehension.

Rather than administering sub-tests from a range of different assessments, I can start the TOD-C (9 subtests including three from the TOD-S) and then add additional sub-tests, from within the TOD suite, as needed based on results. This helps reduce the length of the assessment (money saved for your client) and the number of assessments required in your toolkit (money saved for you).

The following is a quick overview of the composites included in the TOD - to get all of these you would need to administer all the subtests but that would be a rare situation.

One way to save more is by purchasing the digital components wherever possible. The online easels can be used in person with two devices or online using screen sharing. The online scoring system is a lifesaver—it calculates scores instantly and eliminates the need for manual data entry.

The TOD is also designed with longevity in mind. Its scoring system includes growth scores, which means I can track a child’s progress over time without needing additional tests.

4. User-friendly: easy to administer and score

The TOD is surprisingly straightforward to use, especially given how much ground it covers. Here are a few tips and tricks I’ve picked up:

For In-Person Testing:

Prep your materials: Download the audio files ahead of time and laminateTOD-S administration instructions. Trust me, you’ll be glad you did!
Know your forms: For the TOD-C, you’ll need four specific forms plus the TOD-S guide. There’s no response booklet for the TOD-E.
Follow the flow: There’s no basal or ceiling for the TOD-S, so administer all items for the child’s age. The reading fluency subtest is timed, so keep your stopwatch handy.

For Online Testing:

Plan ahead: Seal - with a sticker - and mail the response booklet to the family before the session. Have them open it on camera to maintain test integrity.
Use screen-sharing: Parents or older clients can share their screens, making it easier to monitor progress and provide real-time feedback. Be clear with families that you will need a supervisor at the other end for those under 18.

The TOD’s ease of use frees up my mental energy to focus on what really matters: connecting with the child and interpreting their results. After all, tests identify, clinicians diagnose (Elena Plante quote!)

5. Comprehensive insights: more than just scores

One of the TOD’s standout features is how much detail it provides. For example, the TOD includes composite scores for areas like:

Sight Word Knowledge
Decoding Efficiency
Orthographic Processing
Rapid Automatised Naming (RAN)

These scores, combined with rating scales completed by parents, teachers, or the child themselves, provide a nuanced understanding of their strengths and challenges. For those who are not as familiar when it comes to setting literacy goals, the guide for interventions offers practical strategies tailored to the child’s profile.

Technical stuff (made simple)

If you’re wondering how reliable the TOD is, it’s been rigorously validated, with impressive stats like:

Standardisation: Based on 2,518 individuals across diverse demographics.
Reliability: High test-retest reliability (median = 0.84).
Sensitivity and Specificity: Sensitivity of 0.79 and specificity of 0.97, meaning it effectively identifies dyslexia while avoiding false positives.

Be careful when evaluating six and seven year olds – the number of children included in each of these cohorts was under 100 each.

Why the TOD is my new ‘go-to’ tool

While dyslexia diagnosis has traditionally been the domain of educational psychologists, Speech Pathology Australia acknowledges the growing role of speech pathologists in this area. The 2021 Child and Adolescent Literacy Guidelines highlight that trained speech pathologists can play a vital role in identifying literacy disorders, including dyslexia.

After six months using the Tests of Dyslexia, I’ve got to say, it certainly streamlines the process. It’s fast, flexible, cost-effective, and packed with features that make my job easier while delivering valuable insights for families. And to add to my joy a guide to removing Americanisms as been released, as have some new British English test forms.

If you’re a professional working in literacy, or you’re supporting a child with dyslexia, the TOD is well worth considering. A recording of our ‘TOD Talk,’ held October 2024, is available on demand if you’re wanting a more hands-on walkthrough before making a decision.

Do you have any questions about the TOD or want to share your own experiences? Let’s start a conversation in the comments—I’d love to hear your thoughts!

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