Testing For Learning Disabilities & Disorders in Children
Dr. Peter Meiland, Clinical Psychologist NYC
Testing For Learning Disabilities in Children
If you suspect your child of dealing with a learning disability, it is important to seek help from a certified and trusted professional. Your child will need to be evaluated by a psychologist in order to truly determine if they are struggling with learning disabilities or disorders. Dr. Peter Meiland can help.
It can be difficult to realize that your child may be suffering from a learning disability. You find yourself worrying about their future and you do not want to continue to watch your child struggle and suffer. The good news is that children with learning disabilities are just as smart as their counterparts, they simply have a different way of processing and absorbing information. They are not lazy, they are not stupid and they can be helped with proper diagnosis and treatment.
Children with learning disabilities are very aware that school is more difficult for them than their peers. They often internalize their academic struggles by mistakenly thinking they are either “stupid” or “not trying”. It is heartbreaking to talk with a child with a learning disability who has already acquired this label.
If you suspect that you child has learning disabilities, do not hesitate to get them help. The sooner you do, the sooner they can be diagnosed and a treatment plan can be developed to help them reach their potential. Learning disabilities can manifest in different ways in each child and it is not always easy to identify the disability they are struggling with. Which is why it is important to seek help.
Children benefit from learning disability testing because it “de-mystifies” them and their struggles. They learn the real reasons behind their difficulties. Testing leads to strategies to “work around” a learning disability, and shows how a child has already compensated for their learning disability, often by becoming unusually capable in other areas.
How are children tested and diagnosed with learning disorders?
Typically, testing for learning disabilities in children is done through a clinical review of their development, medical, educational and family history as well as additional evaluations and testing. A knowledgeable clinical psychologist, with a proven track record in diagnosing and testing for learning disabilities in adults is key in providing a trustworthy diagnosis and treatment plan.
Testing for learning disabilities in children should be performed by a licensed psychologist, specifically one with focused training on conducting learning disabilities testing.
What are some of the learning disability characteristics in children?
Children with learning disabilities may struggle with any of the following, often they may suffer from several different symptoms:
- problem solving skills
- difficulty with reading, writing and/or math
- short attention span
- trouble retaining information
- trouble following directions
- difficulty differentiating between letters, numbers or sounds
- hand-eye coordination
- disorganization
In addition, there are many other signs that can indicate a learning disability in an children and they can vary as well.
- erratic performance day to day
- inappropriate reactions to interactions or challenges
- easily distracted, restless and impulsive tendencies
- difficulty expressing themselves, often saying something but meaning something else
- trouble focusing
- delayed speech development
- difficulty with discipline
Learning Disability Testing & Diagnosis FAQs
Learning disabilities are lifelong disorders that can be caused by heredity, problems in utero, head injuries even exposure to toxic substances. Learning disabilities are NOT related to low intelligence. Most people living with learning disabilities have above average intelligence, the disability just impacts their ability to function well in school, at work or at home. Testing for learning disabilities in adults can help provide the much needed support and training to help excell in life.