Early screening of reading and writing difficulties in the first grade - a pilot study

ABSTRACT Purpose: to investigate the effectiveness of an early identification screening based on the Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills (DIBELS) test, 6th edition, to early identify first graders at risk of dyslexia. Methods: the sample comprised 34 children assessed at two moments - the screening was conducted while they were in the first grade, while a word dictation was used when they were in the second grade. The data were analyzed with Pearson’s correlation test, linear regression analysis, and ANOVA, with a p-value ≤ 0.05. Results: the results provide evidence that agrees with other studies in that children with signs of risk of dyslexia differ from children with typical development in terms of less phonological skills and that these differences are already present at the beginning of the literacy process. Conclusion: the early screening allows for the identification of the risk factors for dyslexia, making it possible to implement preventive and personalized phonological skills training to make the literacy process easier.