A classroom test for screening and diagnosis of language difficulties.

The Aston Index consists of 17 sub-tests, the use of which, as its name implies, will indicate the nature of an individual childs learning potential for literacy. The sub-test scores yield a 'profile' from which a teacher can perceive the levels of 'readiness' for learning; and which sub-skills and abilities will need special help in teaching.

The sub-tests themselves were selected after many years of observation and research, as representing key aspects of literacy:

• Visual and auditory perception
• Symbolic sequencing
• Directional motor fluency
• Association of picture and symbol with lexical meaning
• General maturational readiness

The Aston Index can be used to indicate the particular learning pattern of the child and identify specific types of learning patterns:

• Specific written language difficulties (Dyslexia)
• Slow learners
• Culturally deprived children
• Neurologically damaged children
• Language disordered children
• Specific auditory difficulties
• Specific visual difficulties
• Specific graphic difficulties

Comprises of:

• 17 page handbook
• spiral bound test card book (contains 17 tests)
• additional support material
• resource CD
• flash cards
• 30 scoresheets

Age suitability: 5 years +