How are learning disabilities diagnosed?
The diagnosis of a learning disability involves testing across multiple areas of
function.
Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, a learning disability
can’t be diagnosed based on any singular test result.
“Most commonly, evaluating/testing includes overall cognitive testing,
achievement testing in reading and math, evaluation of processing speed
and attention, and language-specific testing … in addition to measures of
spelling and writing development,” explains Rebecca Rolland, a speech
pathologist and oral and written language specialist from Boston.
Intelligence testing
Intelligence testing, also known as intelligence quotient (IQ) testing, is
intended to evaluate cognitive strengths, weaknesses, and problem-solving
skills. In some situations, cognitive tests may be chosen that assess function
but don’t provide an overall IQ score.
Common intelligence tests include:
Wechsler Intelligence Scale
Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale
Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scale
Kaufman Assessment Battery for Children
Differential Ability Scales
Cognitive Assessment System
Achievement testing
Achievement tests look at how well your child has retained and applied
information after a period of learning.
Achievement tests that might be administered can include:
Woodcock-Johnson Tests of Achievement
Kaufman Test of Educational Achievement
Wechsler Individual Achievement Test
Scholastic Abilities Test for Adults
Visual-motor function testing
Visual-motor function tests are a part of determining how well your child can
incorporate motors skills with visual skills. These tests involve abilities
related to handwriting and drawing and are also an important component of
assessing nonverbal learning disabilities.
One of the most commonTrusted Source visual-motor tests is the Beery-
Buktenica Developmental Test of Visual-Motor Integration.
Language testing
Language tests can help gauge how well your child understands what
they’ve read, as well as their ability to form sentences and put words
together.
Language tests may include:
Clinical Evaluation of Language Fundamentals
Goldman-Fristoe Test of Articulation
Expressive Picture Vocabulary Test
Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test
Preschool Language Scale
What are the most common learning disabilities?
In 2017, “The State of Learning Disabilities,” a report by the National Center
for Learning Disabilities, indicated the most common specific learning
disorders and their prevalence among children were:
dyslexia (5 to 17%)
dysgraphia (7 to 15%)
dyscalculia (5 to 7%)
Dyslexia
Dyslexia is a learning disability that has to do with spelling, word recognition,
and accurate word and sound structures.
Signs of dyslexia may include:
slow reading
incorrect pronunciation
use of the wrong words
inability to distinguish letters, sounds, or both
Dysgraphia
Dysgraphia involves an impaired ability to form symbols when writing. Both
written letters and numbers may be affected, and commons
signs includeTrusted Source:
uncomfortable positioning or gripping when writing
inversed letters or numbers
illegible handwriting
poorly shaped symbols
challenges with written thought organization
Dyscalculia
When a learning disability seems related to math calculations, it may
be dyscalculia, a deficit in the ability to quantify and process numerical
operations.
Signs of dyscalculia may include challenges related to:
counting
memorizing number sequences
putting numbers to symbols
comparing quantities or large to small
How to determine if your child should get tested for a learning
disability
Common signs a child may need testing for a learning disability can
includeTrusted Source challenges in:
telling left from right
reversing words, letters, or numbers
coordination
telling time/understanding time
writing
remembering/understanding instructions
organization
math
reading
speaking
memorizing
spelling
sequences
Learning disabilities can be dismissed as underperformance because of other
reasons such as inadequate studying or lack of motivation.
“If a child continues to struggle learning new material after all other
obstacles were considered and addressed —such as environmental stressors,
testing vision and hearing, providing academic support in the classroom —
the child should be referred for testing for learning disabilities,” states Dr.
Nafisa Sekandari, a licensed clinical psychologist and author from Avondale,
Arizona.
What to do if your child is diagnosed with a learning disability
In addition to immediately connecting with educators and school officials, the
next steps Rolland recommends are:
educating yourself on the diagnosis
engaging with support networks for both you and your child
regularly communicating with your child’s teachers
encouraging open communication with your child about the diagnosis
Other considerations
There are several other ways you may help your child find success after a
learning disability diagnosis.
Inspiring your child with examples
Sekandari reminds parents that children living with learning disabilities are
fully capable of being highly successful in life.
“Identifying highly successful individuals such as Whoopi Goldberg, Tom
Cruise, Albert Einstein, and Charles Schwab who have a history of learning
disabilities but continued to be highly successful can help your child feel
inspired instead of defeated,” she suggests.
Getting learning disability-specific guidance as soon as possible
Dr. Amy Serin, a neuropsychologist and founder of Serin Center from Peoria,
Arizona, urges parents to get intensive, focused treatments for their children
as soon as possible.
“Traditional tutoring typically does not work,” she says. “Reading more or
doing more math problems will not typically change the way the brain
processes information. This method usually becomes a cycle of intense work
and catch-up rather than fixing the root of the problem.”
Non-school alternative treatments
Serin says the best outcomes she’s seen often occur when parents utilize
treatments outside of school because schools often don’t possess the
necessary resources or training to support children with learning disabilities.
“Some parents have pulled their children from school to home-school them
for a year while they get interventions,” she says. “Others have tried the
summer programs where available. These are the best outcomes I have seen
in remediating the problem.”
Let’s recap
Learning disabilities are brain-related disorders that impact how information
is processed.
They’re not universal indicators of low intelligence, and many people living
with learning disorders go on to lead successful lives.
Educating yourself about your child’s diagnosis, engaging with targeted
treatments as soon as possible, and regularly communicating with teachers
may help your child adjust to a learning disability as quickly as possible.
