Dyslexia Adult Checklist Validation Study Summary

Dyslexia Adult Checklist Validation Study Summary

Key Findings: A comprehensive validation study of the widely-used Dyslexia Adult Checklist found the screening tool to be both reliable and valid for identifying adults with dyslexia, though with an important recommendation for improved accuracy.

Study Overview: Researchers examined 400 adults (200 with self-reported dyslexia, 200 controls) to evaluate the psychometric properties of this popular online screening tool. The checklist consists of 15 questions assessing literacy, language, and organizational difficulties commonly associated with dyslexia.

Main Results:

• The checklist demonstrated strong internal reliability (Cronbach's α = 0.86)

• Adults with dyslexia scored significantly higher than controls (53.39 vs 34.27 average scores)

• Factor analysis revealed the tool measures dyslexia as a single, unified construct

• Sensitivity ranged from 76-91.5% and specificity from 80-88%, depending on the cutoff score used

Critical Recommendation: The study recommends lowering the cutoff score from 45 to 40 points to improve screening accuracy. This change increases sensitivity to 91.5% (catching more individuals who may have dyslexia) while maintaining 80% specificity, resulting in fewer missed cases.

Significance for Literacy: This validation provides evidence that the Dyslexia Adult Checklist can serve as an effective preliminary screening tool, helping adults identify potential reading difficulties before pursuing costly formal assessments. The tool's accessibility and reliability make it valuable for both self-understanding and research purposes, supporting early identification that can lead to appropriate interventions and accommodations.

Limitations: The study sample was primarily university students, which may limit generalizability to the broader adult population. Future research should examine the tool's effectiveness across more diverse educational and socioeconomic backgrounds.

Citation: Stark, Z., Elalouf, K., Soldano, V., Franzen, L., & Johnson, A. P. (2025). Validation and reliability of the Dyslexia Adult Checklist in screening for dyslexia. Dyslexia, 31, e1797. https://doi.org/10.1002/dys.1797