Most studies of slow readers and even Dyslexia show that it is again a developmental delay, and that all the fancy expensive schools cannot get them to read any faster in the long run.  They can show short-term  improved test taking but their over all reading 5 years down the road is the same as the group that were in the regular classroom.  The main approach is to have them take reading in a special class to work on them at their pace and have them in the regular classroom learning everything else with help for their "disability" of not reading well.  The better places to have them evaluated are the Child Study Center of Fort Worth and the Scottish Rite Hospital in Dallas.   The best example was a show on Dyslexia on TV many years ago with the valedictorian of Duke University who could barely read or write.  But she had her tape recorder, and secretary.  In fact you could be a corporation executive without having to read or write.  Just like a blind person uses Braille, the child who has delayed reading must get an education and learn Columbus discovered America even if they cannot read at all.  They can get an "A" in history, science, etc. and a "passing grade" in reading at their level.  That way they preserve their self-esteem.  The last thing you want to do is ask a poor reader to stand up in front of the class and be embarrassed that they cannot read well.  Let them progress at their pace in reading while continuing an education.  Albert Einstein was Dyslexic and failed his college admission test.  But he was good in Math and Physics.  It seems that current education is at a point that you have to be perfect in everything.  So Michael Angelo would not be able to go to art class because he was a slow reader and not become the famous artist.  And a famous musician like Lois Armstrong could not go to music class because he had to go to reading class because he was a slow reader.  I think the main thing is to find out what your strengths are and work on them because that is the area in which you probably will be working.  Today the schools and parents spend 90% of the time and money working on your weaknesses and 10% working on your strengths when more than likely you will end up working and enjoying being in a vocation that deals with your strengths.  I don't think you should ignore your weaknesses but make it at least 50/50.  Do not talk about your child’s problems in their hearing range.  If you have to tell someone about their problems, do not let them hear you.  Preserving their self-esteem while trying to get them to improve their weaknesses is very difficult. 

Roger Knapp MD