What the ADPS measures
Unlike childhood dyslexia which primarily focuses on early reading acquisition, adult dyslexia often manifests as a cluster of processing inefficiencies, memory limitations, and organizational struggles. The Adult Dyslexia & Processing Screener (ADPS) is based on the Phonological Deficit Hypothesis but is expanded to capture the compensatory mechanisms adults develop, identifying underlying structural differences in processing language and sequences.
The dimensions it assesses
- Phonological & Language Processing: Difficulty with pronouncing multi-syllabic words, word-retrieval (tip-of-the-tongue state), and reading speed.
- Working & Sequential Memory: Struggles with remembering sequences (phone numbers, multi-step instructions) and retaining auditory information.
- Visual Stress & Spatial Tracking: Experience of words moving or blurring on the page, losing one's place while reading, and left/right confusion.
- Organizational & Executive Strain: Difficulties with time management, structuring written work, and managing simultaneous tasks.
Already have a ADPS score from somewhere else? Look it up without retaking the questionnaire.
What your score means
(Theoretical Range: 15 to 60)
| Score | Interpretation | What it suggests |
|---|---|---|
| 15 – 25 | Low Probability of Dyslexia | Processing falls within typical neurotypical ranges. |
| 26 – 38 | Moderate / Mild Traits | Shows some processing inefficiencies. May benefit from specific organizational or reading accommodations. |
| 39 – 60 | High Probability of Dyslexia | Strong indicators of adult dyslexia and processing deficits. A formal psychoeducational assessment is highly recommended. |
These ranges describe groups of people, not individuals. A score near a boundary is not meaningfully different from one just across it, and no range on this table is a diagnosis.
What to do with your result
- Workplace Accommodations: High scorers should use text-to-speech software, request verbal instructions in written format, and use tinted overlays/screens for visual stress.
- Cognitive Offloading: Individuals scoring high in Working Memory deficits should carry a capture notebook and externalize their memory demands immediately.
- Formal Assessment: This screener is not a formal diagnosis. If the score is >40, seeking a full psychoeducational assessment is required to access formal legal accommodations (e.g., ADA accommodations).
Common questions about the ADPS
- What does the ADPS measure?
- Screening for phonological processing deficits, working memory strain, visual stress, and reading automatization typical of adult dyslexia.
- Can the ADPS diagnose me?
- No. Dyslexia & Processing Screening (ADPS) is a screening questionnaire, not a diagnostic tool. It can flag that something may need a closer look. It cannot tell you what is causing it. It describes tendencies rather than diagnosing anything, and no result here is a condition or something to fix.
- How long does the ADPS take?
- 15 questions, which most people finish in 5 – 8 minutes. There is no time limit, and answering honestly matters more than answering quickly. The results page checks for patterns suggesting the questions were rushed.
- Is this ADPS test really free?
- Yes. No account, no email address, no payment. Psychometrics Today is funded by donations rather than advertising, which is also what allows us to publish instruments whose authors permit free but non-commercial use.
- Are my answers stored or shared?
- No. Your answers are scored inside your browser and never sent to us. There is no database of responses, because we never receive any. Closing the tab erases them, which is why results cannot be recovered afterwards.
- How often should I retake the ADPS?
- Traits and preferences move slowly, so retaking this every few months is more informative than retaking it often. Larger shifts usually follow a genuine change in circumstances.
- Who created the ADPS, and is this the real version?
- It was published by Psychometrics Today (original items). Built on the phonological deficit hypothesis (Snowling), which is theory. The items here are the published ones rather than a paraphrase, and the scoring follows the original rules. Both are documented on this page so they can be checked.
- How accurate is the ADPS?
- Screening questionnaires are good at flagging that something merits attention and poor at establishing what it is. This one is sensitive to how you feel on the day you take it, and many instruments were validated on narrow populations whose cut-offs may not transfer cleanly to everyone. The references at the foot of this page are the primary sources.
Sources
Items written by the Psychometrics Today Team, based on published theory. The theory is credited below.
- Snowling, M. J. (2000). Dyslexia (2nd ed.). Blackwell Publishing.
- Wilkins, A. (1995). Visual Stress. Oxford University Press.
Licensing
Public domain. Built on the phonological deficit hypothesis (Snowling), which is theory.
The British Dyslexia Association Adult Checklist referenced in the source is BDA copyright. Items must be original, and the BDA checklist must not be reproduced.