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Learning disability assessment - kids & teens

If your child or teen is falling behind at school despite trying their best, it can be stressful for both of you. If you are seeking help and support for your child who is struggling, we can help. A learning disability assessment helps identify whether a specific learning disorder is contributing to those challenges and what type of support may be helpful.

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What is a learning disability assessment?

At Bhatia Psychology Group, our team conducts comprehensive learning (also called psycho-educational) assessments for children and teens to diagnose academic difficulties and learning disabilities. Our goal is to provide a better understanding of how your child learns and provide clear, actionable guidance for families and educators.

Learning disabilities are often misunderstood. Many children with learning disorders are bright, motivated, and capable. However, they may struggle with certain academic tasks, such as reading, writing, or math. A formal assessment can help you better understand your child and give you access to the right support.

A learning disability assessment is recommended when:

  • Your child consistently struggles with reading, writing, or math despite extra help
  • There is a mismatch between their cognitive abilities and academic performance
  • Homework takes significantly longer than expected or leads to emotional distress
  • Teachers have raised concerns about your child’s academic progress
  • You are seeking documentation to support a request for accommodations or an Individualized Education Plan (IEP)

Learning disability assessment process

Intake

We begin with an intake session to review your concerns, your child’s developmental and academic history, and any reports or observations from school. This helps us select the right combination of assessment tools.

Assessment

The assessment involves a series of standardized tests that evaluate:

  • Intellectual and cognitive abilities
  • Academic achievement in reading, writing, and math
  • Attention, memory and learning, and executive functioning
  • Emotional and behavioral functioning (if relevant)

This combination helps us understand both the challenges that exist and why they are happening.

Results & Next Steps

After the assessment is complete, we provide a written report with a clear explanation of the findings. This includes a diagnosis (if applicable), a breakdown of your child’s strengths and challenges, and recommendations for next steps. Our recommendation may include seeking school accommodations, exploring specific learning strategies, referrals for tutoring, or therapy.

Types of learning difficulties

Identifying the type of learning disability your child may be experiencing is the first step toward finding the right support. Each presents differently and may impact specific academic skills such as reading, writing, or math.

Reading and Reading Comprehension

Your child may experience difficulty with reading accuracy, fluency, and comprehension, which can impact their ability to understand written words, sound out letters, or make sense of what they read. Early signs may include difficulty learning letters, confusing similar-looking words, or avoiding reading altogether.

Writing and Written Expression

Difficulties with writing and/or written expression can impact handwriting, spelling, sentence structure, and the physical act of putting thoughts on paper. Your child may write slowly, avoid writing tasks, or become frustrated during written assignments. You may also notice disorganized writing and/or inconsistent spacing.

Mathematics

Understanding numbers and math concepts may be difficult for your child, leading to challenges with counting, learning number facts, or performing basic calculations. Tasks like telling time, understanding money, or following multi-step math problems may feel overwhelming. In such a case, your child would likely benefit from the use of visual aids and hands-on learning.
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Frequently asked questions

Learning Disability
What is a Learning Disability?
A learning disability is a neurological difference that can affect how a person takes in, processes, stores, or expresses information. It is not a reflection of intelligence or effort. Instead, it means the brain processes information differently. This can lead to challenges in certain academic areas.

Children with learning disabilities often benefit from individualized support strategies and accommodations at school. Identifying a child’s learning disability early can help set the stage for greater confidence and success.