Learning Disability Assessment
Learning disability assessment is the right of every child under the
Americans with Disabilities Act. Far too often, learning
disabilities go undiagnosed for years. As a result, children suffer
and struggle. Learning disability assessment and treatment is a
human right that schools must provide, making the lack of a proper
diagnosis truly sad.
Parents and students must advocate for themselves. Learning
disabilities are usually caught informally, by noticing
discrepancies between demonstrated intelligence and actual classroom
performance. Often students with learning disabilities are creative
and show obvious signs of intelligence, yet they struggle with tasks
such as writing or math.
Students with learning disabilities may also claim to "hate school."
The learning disability can cause frustration and anger, as well as
ostracizing and social problems. An undiagnosed learning disability
should always be considered as a root cause for behavior problems or
under achievement.
Learning disability assessment is fairly simple but must be
performed by a qualified clinician. School psychologists can
administer learning disability tests, but are often overworked with
a backed up caseload. School overcrowding means that there are not
always enough resources to go around and children tend to be
categorized, with the most serious cases given priority. If you have
the money, you might wish to take your child to a private
psychologist for learning disability tests.
Learning disability tests vary according to the specific learning
disability for which the child is being assessed. A combination of
standardized tests, both oral and written, along with hearing and
vision testing are usually administered as an official set of
learning disability tests. It is very important to ensure that the
problem is definitely a learning disability as opposed to a hearing,
visual, or other physical disorder.
A learning disability assessment allows children to receive a
diagnosis of a specific learning disability, which is necessary in
order to receive full benefits under the Individuals with
Disabilities Education Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Based on the specific learning disability, your child will become
eligible for individualized resources and special programs.
Additionally, each specific learning disability has its own set of
proven strategies for management.
It is important, however, not to be too caught up in labels.
Ultimately, a learning disability is a very personal thing, and
those who have learning disabilities must learn the strategies that
work best for them. Learning disability assessment will provide your
child with the resources he or she needs, but integration of the
learning disability as simply a part of the child's life should be
the ultimate goal.
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