$MULTIFACTORIAL PROTOCOL FOR THE IDENTIFICATION OF RISK FACTORS FOR DYSLEXIA: DEVELOPMENT, APPLICATION, AND PSYCHOMETRIC PARAMETERS

ABSTRACT

This study aimed to describe the development of a multifactorial protocol for identifying risk factors of dyslexia, presenting the psychometric parameters of the tests comprising the protocol, as well as categories for identifying at-risk students in the final grade of Early Childhood Education. The study details the organization of the protocol, which was reviewed by expert judges (N = 8), and the analyses of its psychometric properties when applied to a sample of students in the last grade of Early Childhood Education (N = 162). The analyses indicated that the set of tests used provides the protocol with satisfactory internal consistency and significant discriminative capacity. The findings demonstrate that the administration of the test battery comprising the protocol shows strong potential for the early identification of students at risk for dyslexia. Moreover, the application of a questionnaire that includes biological and environmental factors, as well as family background information, complements the classification of at-risk students provided by the protocol, thus increasing the instrument’s accuracy. It is suggested that this protocol be used as an early screening tool for students at risk for dyslexia, as well as a supplementary resource for planning progress monitoring and interventions targeting areas where children show the greatest difficulties.

KEYWORDS:
Identification of risk factors for dyslexia; Dyslexia risk factors; Reading predictor skills; Reading difficulties identification; Psychometric parameters.