Members of the forum may be interested to know that the Dyslexia Adult
Screening Test (D.A.S.T.) will be published in September this year. This
screening test by Angela Fawcett and Rod Nicolson of the Department of
Psychology, University of Sheffield is an adult version of the Dyslexia
Screening Test (DST), and is also published by the Psychological
Corporation. Like the DST it has been developed in conjunction with a wide
range of user groups and professionals in the field, and will identify
literacy difficulties of all kinds, including dyslexia.
The D.A.S.T. has been designed to be used as a screening instrument, for
use routinely within higher/further education establishments and in
employment. There are separate norms available for students and for the
general population (based on around 600 of each). In designing the test we
have made the testing procedure as straightforward as possible, avoiding
the use of IQ tests. As a result the Dyslexia Adult Screening Test
provides a first step in deciding whether to go on to further testing, and
provides a profile of strengths and weaknesses which can be used to guide
intervention stratagies for the individual adult. The DAST has been
designed as an 'open' test, to be used by Further/Higher Education
professionals (teachers or trainers), and Employment Service consultants,
as well as Psychologists, and Speech and Language specialists.
The test consists of 11 subtests with the total testing time around 30
minutes, and includes a 5 minute test of non-verbal reasoning. The test
has been priced to retail at less than £100, and individual score sheets at
less than £1 each. Anyone interested in finding out more about the DAST or
checking out a sample of the materials should contact Ben Dewhurst, at the
Psychological Corporation, e-mail [log in to unmask]
Dr Angela Fawcett
(Dept of Psychology, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TP, UK;
phone 0114-222 6504)
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