Is your child having trouble with reading, expressing thoughts on paper, or understanding basic math concepts?

Your child may benefit from a comprehensive psychoeducational evaluation to assess for Reading Disorder (dyslexia), Disorder of Written Expression (Dysgraphia), or Mathematics Disorder (Dyscalculia).

Dyslexia- Reading Learning Disorder

Dyslexia is also known as reading disorder. It is one of the most common learning disorders. Dyslexia symptoms present as difficulty with different language skills, primarily reading but also spelling, writing, and pronunciation. According to the International Dyslexia Association, Dyslexia affects approximately 15-20% of the entire population. Dyslexia is also an inherited disorder, so if dyslexia or reading disorder is common in your family and you notice the following symptoms in your child, they may benefit from an evaluation.

Dyslexia or Reading Disorder Symptoms & Warning Signs:

• Difficulty with spoken language
• Delayed speech -Difficulty with word recognition
• Difficulty with reading fluency, spelling, and writing
• Difficulty expressing themselves clearly
• Mixing sounds and syllables in long words
• Difficulty sounding out words
• Mixing up “b” and “d”
• Difficulty remembering repetition
• Confusing right or left

Dyscalculia- Mathematics Learning Disorder

Dyscalculia—also known as mathematics disorder—is defined as a difficulty to comprehend mathematics when acknowledging chronological age, intelligence, and adequate instruction. 

Dyscalculia or Math Disability Symptoms & Warning Signs:

• Mixing random numbers and symptoms when reading,
• Difficulty remembering numbers, math rules and procedures.
• Difficulty with mental figuring
• Using fingers or marks to calculate
• Difficulty telling time, managing time, and punctuality
• Directional confusion during math tasks, with direction, and completing physical sequences like dancing, sports, playing music, etc.
• Able to follow patterns and finish mask task, but quickly forgets
• Difficulty recognizing or imagining abstractions, quantities, layouts, clocks, numbers, figures.
• Difficulty with working memory and retention. 

Dysgraphia- Written Expression Learning Disorder

Dysgraphia—also known as Writing Disorder or Disorder of Written Expression—is defined as impaired handwriting, impaired spelling, or both. Children with dysgraphia may have impaired handwriting, however they appear to have no difficulty with reading. Dysgraphia can present alone, with Dyslexia, or with oral and written language learning disorder (which is also known as Selective Language Impairment). 

Dysgraphia or Writing Disability Symptoms & Warning Signs:

• Difficulty with storing written words
• Difficulty with creating permanent memory of written words, like pronunciation or spelling.
• Impaired handwriting
• Impaired spelling (without reading problems)

How are Learning Disorders diagnosed?

Learning disabilities are diagnosed through psychoeducational evaluations which includes a thorough clinical interview discussing your child’s early school performance, analyzing and understanding current challenges, and administering appropriate cognitive, intelligence, and academic tests to assess these noted areas of difficulty. Psychoeducational evaluations help to identify your child’s strengths and weaknesses in different educational areas and understand why your child is struggling. These evaluations assist in identifying academic success and weakness in school by evaluating specific areas of learning such as reading, writing, or math.

How long does a psychoeducational evaluation take? What is the process like?

Evaluations take about four hours in total and maybe conducted in one day or broken up over multiple days. Our neuropsychologists will conduct a thorough clinical interview with you and your child and review available academic and medical records. The actual testing will then be completed over a period of hours and breaks will be provided to your child throughout the assessment. We encourage you to bring snacks and a drink to the evaluation for your child to have during these breaks. You will then schedule a feedback appointment with the neuropsychologist to review the results and receive a comprehensive evaluation report. During this portion, recommendations will be made for additional services, accommodations in school under an Individualized Education Program (IEP), strategies to use at home, and tools for teachers to utilize in school. 

How are learning disorders they treated?

Dyslexia can be an inherited disorder and is a lifelong condition. As with many disorders, the earlier the better for identifying learning disorders in order to achieve the utmost success. Once diagnosed with dyslexia, or reading disorder, your child will require help and assistance from tutors, teachers, and therapists who have obtained proper education and training in learning disabilities. Many children with dyslexia require one on one assistance in order to move at their own pace. Additionally, as a parent you can assist your child through various at home techniques which our neuropsychologist will provide you with at your feedback appointment.

Dyscalculia and dysgraphia can be improved through assistance from tutors, teachers, and therapists who have also obtained proper training and education in learning disabilities. Like dyslexia, if your child is diagnosed with a math or writing disability, they may require school accommodations and modifications. Your child’s neuropsychologist will provide you will additional techniques you can work on with your child in their everyday life. 

Some schools offer academic accommodations to help students with learning disabilities through an Individualized Education Program (IEP). It is important for you to discuss this information with your child’s school or teacher in order to understand your school’s process for obtaining accommodations and modifications under an IEP.

Are psychoeducational evaluations covered by insurance?

Unfortunately, psychoeducational evaluations are not covered by health insurance plans as testing for learning disorders are not considered a medical necessity by insurance companies. 

Saible Neuropsychology offers competitive private pay rates for psychoeducational evaluation.

Psychoeducational Evaluations are $1000 and include IQ testing and academic testing. 

If you feel your child may be struggling with reading, writing, or math they may benefit from a psychoeducational evaluation. Please reach out to our office today for more information on this assessment and aid in early identification and intervention of possible learning disorders in your child!