CFD-14: detecting literacy and dyslexia risks in early and primary education

Abstract

Abstract This study validates the CFD-14 questionnaire, designed for families to detect early risk of literacy difficulties and dyslexia in compulsory schooling. The sample included families of 1385 students from preschool (5 years old) and 1st to 6th grade of primary education, with a median age of 9 years and two months. The CFD-14 comprises 14 items reflecting common dyslexia indicators. Its one-dimensional factorial structure was confirmed, demonstrating reliability and criterion validity through five evidences: correlation of questionnaire scores with teacher and family assessments, comparison of CFD-14 scores between a dyslexic group (n = 13) and the general sample, analysis between families with and without a history of difficulties, and comparison between groups with persistent spelling errors and those without. A direct score at the 90th percentile was identified as the objective criterion to pinpoint students at risk of literacy difficulties.