Specific Learning PROBLEMS Evaluations

Specific Learning Problems

We base our Specific Learning Problems Evaluations on the current DSM-5 Manual (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders), to identify the degree to which the individual’s symptoms, distress, and life impairment matches the known problem areas associated with Specific Learning Challenges, including but not limited to:

• Reading
• Writing
• Mathematics

Testing Approach

We use a multi-method, multi-informant approach to gather information from various “method types” (such as questionnaire, computer-performance, interviews, cognitive performance tasks), as well as from various “informant types” (such as from the child, parents, and teachers in the case of children, and from the adult client, and spouse in the case of adult clients, when appropriate and relevant). 

Benefits of Evaluations

Depending on your situation, obtaining a thorough evaluation in this area may be associated with the following benefits:

1. Informing and Clarifying Your Treatment Options (Support Needed at School). If you obtain a Specific Learning challenges are identified, specific recommendations and interventions will be provided to your child’s teachers and learning specialists to strengthen reading, writing, and/or math skills. Learning strategies tailored to your child’s strengths and areas of growth can be developed and can help facilitate success in school
   
2. Testing Accommodations. Depending on the Specific Learning challenges found, certain Testing Accommodations with Standardized Testing Boards may be available (such as Extended Time, Separate Rooms free from distractions, Use of Study Aids or Supports, etc).
   
3. Better Understand Your Long-standing Challenges. It is common for individuals to struggle for several years with challenges they don’t fully understand. Often times, a evaluation can help identify some of the primary sources of these long-standing learning challenges to help shed light on risk factors and areas of needed attention, treatment, and growth.
   
4. Re-Assess Current Status. It is often helpful to re-assess your current status, especially after a period of receiving learning interventions, to re-evaluate you or your child’s specific learning challenges in a thorough way to determine the degree to which they have improved and what major areas of impairment remain.