A learning disability evaluation covers a wide array of conditions, which makes it useful to spot many kinds of challenges. Some disabilities are extremely specific. For instance, dyscalculia influences an understanding of numbers and mathematics. Others like dyslexia influence motor skills as well as mental ones. If a student seems to be struggling to keep up with their peers, then an assessment can help to differentiate between different conditions.
Testing doesn’t take very long at all. A complete neuropsychological evaluation can be condensed into a short six-hour period. Younger children may not be able to sit for as long as older ones, so it may be useful to split this session up over time. Some children may wish to undergo an evaluation over a period of two or three different sessions, which is an easy enough accommodation to make. If students feel rushed for whatever reason, then they can also be given more time during any session.
Students who are diagnosed with a learning disability may opt to have an Individual Education Plan (IEP) written out so that they can receive special education services and be able to better integrate back in the classrooms. Various modifications to curriculum and instruction can aid students who struggle to work with the standard curriculum. Many IEP programs still allow students to attend normal classes, which can help a great deal to make students feel like they’re not being singled out.
Taking a learning disability evaluation is a great first step to plan a strong intervention. You’ll need to work with a professional pediatric neuropsychologist since these individuals study the intersection of different behaviors and how they influence learning. If you’re interested in these services and are in the northwestern part of New Jersey, then you may want to get in touch with Dr. Joshua Shifrin by using the neuropsycheval.com contact page. You can pay a visit to Facebook page for more information.
