NIU’s Reading Clinic plans to help children who have trouble reading.

Reading Clinic Director Tom Wheat said the clinic is offering a chance for students from second grade through high school to participate in diagnostic assessments.

“The assessments begin this Saturday and continue on until certainly into the spring,” he said.

Wheat also said there are four testing dates available—Oct. 3, 10, 31 and Nov. 7. Each session can have up to 10 students participating.

“The assessments will find out the reading strengths and weaknesses of the student,” Wheat said.

In addition, Wheat said there will be interviews with the parents, an interest inventory to find out what books interest the student, a test to find out their attitude towards reading, an intelligence test, a vision screening, an informal reading inventory and more.

“There will be oral and silent tests to find out where they stand with reading right now, and an auditory discrimination test for those eight or younger to assess if they can hear different phonic sounds,” he said.

The assessment fee is $40, but only $5 for students who qualify for the free or reduced lunch program at their school.

After an investigation of a student’s achievement and potential in reading, a case report is sent to each student’s appropriate teacher, along with their test results, an analysis of reading performance and suggestions for improvement. The assessment also is sent to parents.

“We want parents to help and certainly the teachers,” Wheat said.

Wheat said space is still available and those interested should call the Reading Clinic at 753-8450.