Not all children learn to read at the same time. But there are certain milestones that can give you an idea of how well your child is doing compared to others his or her age. If you suspect a problem, you'll want to talk to your child's teacher and consider having your child tested for hearing problems, learning disabilities, or any number of things that might be affecting his or her abilities.

You can request that a public school assess your child (if they do so, there is no charge). Or you can pay a licensed professional in private practice to do so. The results will inform what kinds of help a child should receive to support learning. Learn more in this article from Understood: Preparing for an Evaluation.

Discover more information in the Finding Help section.

The assessment process can be overwhelming and confusing. The resources below will help you arm yourself with good information so you know what to expect when your child is getting tested or screened.

Find more parent-focused resources and information about getting your child evaluated (in English and Spanish), from our partner Understood. Learn more about evaluations >