A learning disability is a neurological disorder. A learning disability results from a difference in the way a person's brain is wired. According to the National Institutes of Health, one in seven Americans has some type of learning disability. Difficulty with basic reading and language skills (dyslexia) are the most common learning disabilities; however, people can have math disabilities (dyscalcula) and writing disabilities (dysgraphia) as well (ldonline.org, 2015).
Children with learning disabilities are as smart as their peers. They may simply have difficulty reading, writing, spelling, reasoning, recalling and/or organizing information if left to figure things out by themselves or if taught in conventional ways. With the right support and intervention, however, children with learning disabilities can succeed in school.
As a parent, you can help your child achieve academic success by knowing his/her weaknesses, encouraging his/her strengths, and understanding the educational system. If you suspect that your child may have a learning disability, a full psycho-educational assessment would be helpful to give you more information about the way (s)he learns. An evaluation is a crucial step to ensuring your child gets the educational services (s)he may need. A full psycho-educational assessment should include information regarding not only that your child is experiencing academic difficulties, but also why (s)he is not learning to his/her fullest potential. A comprehensive psycho-educational assessment should include:
- A measure of intelligence
- An academic achievement measure
- A measure of perceptual processing
- Information regarding your child’s response to current interventions at school
At Next Level Psychological Consulting we work to discover the root of your child’s learning problems in addition to the degree of delay your child may have. If you suspect your child may have a learning disability, contact us today to schedule an appointment for a comprehensive psycho-educational evaluation.