Measurement (DESS)

The Hong Kong Dyslexia Early Screening Scale (HKDESS) was launched as a dyslexia screening tool among pre-school children in June of 2017. The HKDESS was developed based on research led by Cammie (Catherine) McBride at The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), in cooperation the Department of Health (DH) of the HKSAR and the Department of Psychology of the Education University of Hong Kong (EdUHK).

The HKDESS evaluates pre-school children’s learning difficulties to help assessors determine a child’s probability of being diagnosed with dyslexia after entry into primary school so that prompt support and training can be provided.

The HKDESS is used by paediatricians, clinical/educational psychologists, developmental-behavioural specialists and paediatric neurologists. Organizations that make use of the HKDESS include the Child Assessment Centre of the DH of the HKSAR, Hu Fong Society, Hong Kong Developmental Paediatrics Centre, Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui Counselling Service, and the Salvation Army SKY Family and Child Development Centre.