The Southport School is providing a free literacy screening to help students struggling with reading.

The screen test helps flag if a student is displaying characteristics of dyslexia.

"A lot of people think dyslexia is about reversing letters or seeing things backwards," said Benjamin Powers, executive director of The Southport School. "People with dyslexia often have trouble linking the sounds in words with the letters that represent them."

During the literacy screen test, a literacy educator sits next to the student.

"You're listening to how the student is learning and saying their words and what they're actually doing during the screener. So, there are a lot of mini games and that informs instruction," explained Kristi Graber, senior director of The Southport School.

Powers says early detection is most effective.

"By getting out in front of these kids and these families early, it saves time, it saves heartache, it saves frustration, it saves kids and family feeling poorly and saves a lot of money," says Powers.

The Southport School's CoLAB provides the literacy screener within all communities and then provides support to teachers in teaching techniques for students diagnosed with dyslexia.

You can register your child for a free screening here.