Psychological testing for learning disabilities in adults and children can be crucial in assessing and diagnosing learning problems. It can also help determine the accommodations, coping strategies, and interventions to help that person succeed. We provide psychological testing for learning disabilities to people of all ages. This includes children and adolescents who may need school accommodations or interventions, college and graduate students who may need educational accommodations and adults who may need support at work. We provide an example of the latter, psychological testing for learning disabilities in adults, at the end of this post. Learning disability assessments are a core part of what we do.
What Are Learning Disabilities (LDs)
LDs are neurological disorders affecting an individual’s ability to acquire, use, or process information effectively. These disabilities are typically persistent and lifelong, but with the proper support and interventions, individuals can overcome many of the associated challenges and concentrate on their strengths. Psychological testing for learning disabilities can help diagnose and clarify each person’s unique strengths and challenges.
Some common types of learning disabilities include:
- Dyslexia is a well-known challenge primarily affecting reading and language processing. Individuals with dyslexia may have difficulty decoding words, recognizing spelling patterns, and comprehending written text. We provide Dyslexia testing.
- Dyscalculia impacts math and numerical skills. People with dyscalculia may struggle with basic arithmetic, understanding mathematical concepts, and performing mathematical operations. We offer testing for Dyscalculia.
- Dysgraphia is related to writing and fine motor skills. It can result in illegible handwriting, difficulties with spelling and organizing thoughts on paper, and challenges in word processing. We provide Dysgraphia Testing.
- Auditory Processing Disorder (APD) affects the ability to accurately process and interpret auditory information. Individuals with APD may have difficulty distinguishing between similar sounds, following verbal instructions, or understanding spoken language in noisy environments.
- Visual Processing Disorders affect how the brain interprets visual information. This can lead to difficulties with tasks such as recognizing shapes, letters, or words and may affect reading comprehension and math.
- Executive Functioning Disorder: Executive functioning is the mental processes responsible for planning, organizing, initiating tasks, and managing time. A disorder in executive functioning can lead to difficulties in these areas, often resulting in problems with organization, time management, and task completion. We provide executive functioning assessments.
- Language Processing Disorder: This LD affects spoken or written language comprehension and use. Individuals may struggle to understand complex sentences, express themselves clearly, and follow multi-step instructions.
It’s important to note that these challenges can often co-occur or overlap, and each individual may present unique challenges. Psychological testing for learning disabilities can inform appropriate interventions, including specialized teaching methods, assistive technology, and tailored support. These interventions can help people overcome obstacles and reach their full potential.
Psychological Testing for Learning Disabilities: First Steps
The initial steps in psychological testing for learning disabilities include: 
The Initial Referral
The process often begins with a referral from teachers, parents, or other professionals who suspect a person may have a learning disability. This referral may be based on academic struggles, behavioral issues, or other indicators. Adults are often self-referred.
Assessment and Observations
We start by conducting an initial assessment, which may include reviewing the individual’s educational history, interviewing parents and teachers, and gathering relevant background information. We may observe children in different settings, such as the classroom, to better understand their behavior and learning environment.
Psychological Testing for Learning Disabilities Interviews
Sometimes, we conduct structured interviews with individuals, their parents, and teachers to gather information about their strengths and challenges and better understand their experiences. We may also ask you for educational records if you have them.
Psychological Testing for Learning Disabilities: Methods
A comprehensive psychoeducational assessment is a key component of diagnosing and determining the potential interventions and accommodations a person needs. This assessment typically includes the following.
Cognitive Assessments for LDs
We assess the individual’s Intelligence Quotient (IQ) through tests like the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC), the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Test (Most commonly used WISC ), or similar measures. Learning disabilities are often found when there is “scatter” among the subsets of these tests. In other words, significant differences between a person’s strengths and weaknesses suggest a specific problem. In other cases, IQ is measured as strong, but achievement results suggest that something is preventing the person from achieving to their potential.
Academic Achievement Testing for LDs
Standardized tests evaluate the individual’s performance in various academic areas, such as reading, writing, mathematics, and other subjects. These results can be compared to cognitive testing to determine if something appears to be holding the person back. Comparisons between these subject tests can also point to LDS.
Screening for Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
As ADHD can co-occur with learning disabilities, it may be necessary for us to Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder using specialized tools and clinical interviews. ADHD itself is not a learning disability, but its presence increases the odds that there is one. In addition, if a person has both ADHD and a learning disability, specific strategies and interventions are necessary.
Emotional and Behavioral Assessment
We may also assess emotional and behavioral factors impacting learning, such as anxiety, depression, or conduct issues. Often, people present in ways that suggest a LD, but it’s one of those psychological issues. In addition, just like with ADHD, if a person has another challenge in addition to a learning disability, this is important information.
Other Assessments
Additional learning disability assessments may be conducted depending on the individual’s specific needs. For example, speech and language assessments may be performed if language-based difficulties are suspected. These additional assessments investigate the learning disability uncovered to help create specific plans.
After Psychological Testing for Learning Disabilities
After your testing is completed, we provide the following:
Psychological Testing for Learning Disabilities Report
After completing the learning disability assessments, the psychologist compiles the results and provides a comprehensive report. This report typically includes a diagnosis, if applicable, and recommendations for interventions and accommodations. We may also take specific information from the report to provide any necessary letters to employers and schools if accommodations are needed.
Intervention and Support
Based on the diagnosis and recommendations, the psychologist and other professionals (e.g., special education teachers and speech therapists) can work together to develop an individualized plan that outlines specific accommodations and interventions to support the individual’s needs.
Repeat Learning Disability Assessments
LDs are typically lifelong, so ongoing monitoring and support are essential to help individuals succeed academically and in other aspects of life. Repeat testing can help determine the effectiveness of interventions and accommodations. It can also uncover other emerging factors that may present new challenges.
Psychological Testing for Learning Disabilities in Adults
Most of the time, learning disability assessments are associated with children and adolescents, and they are often given to ensure that they get the interventions and accommodations they need for school. However, we also do psychological testing for learning disabilities in adults. This testing can help a person who has decided to go back to school, change careers, or face difficulties at work due to what they suspect is an undiagnosed LD. Learning disability assessments can also help in other areas of life, as they can affect functioning at home and socially.
Psychological testing for learning disabilities in adults typically involves a comprehensive assessment process to identify specific areas of difficulty and to understand the individual’s cognitive and academic functioning. Here are some standard components of these learning disorder assessments that we do:
- Adult Learning Disorder Assessments Clinical Interview: In this step, we gather background information, including your developmental, medical, educational, and work history. We want to fully understand your current symptoms and concerns and ensure we choose the instruments that will answer your questions.
- Cognitive Testing: For psychological testing for learning disabilities in adults, we commonly use the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS) to measure overall intellectual ability, including verbal comprehension, perceptual reasoning, working memory, and processing speed. This test also gives us specific subtest information to compare and contrast to give us information about possible LDs. We sometimes supplement that testing with the Woodcock-Johnson Tests of Cognitive Abilities, which assesses a wide range of cognitive skills.
- Academic Achievement Testing: Now that we have information about your innate abilities and potential, the next step is to understand your learned skills—any differences between what you are capable of and what you’ve achieved can provide helpful information. We use the Woodcock-Johnson Tests of Achievement, which evaluate many abilities, including reading, mathematics, written language, and oral language skills. We also use the Wechsler Individual Achievement Test (WIAT), which measures reading, math, written, and oral language skills.
- Finally, we use the information gathered to perform Specific Learning Disability (SLD) testing. We look for problems with memory, attention, processing speed, phonological processing, and executive functioning with specific measures such as the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF) and the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI). We might look even more specifically at the possibility of Dyslexia, which involves problems with reading and phonological processing; Dyscalculia, which involves mathematical reasoning and computation skills; and Dysgraphia, which involves handwriting, spelling, and written expression.
The results of psychological testing for learning disabilities in adults help develop appropriate interventions, accommodations, and support plans to assist the individual in academic, work, and daily life settings.
Conclusions and Our Work
The process of getting psychological testing for learning disabilities in adults and children varies depending on the individual’s age, the goals of testing, and the specific learning disability in question. Some people come in for testing for learning disabilities on the advice of a therapist who will work with them to overcome the challenges presented by the disability. Others come in for learning disability assessments to get formal evidence of the challenge so that accommodations can be provided.
We offer these assessments as early as preschool as part of our pre-k testing services. We also offer testing for specific learning disorders for all ages including adults.
Our Learning Disability Assessments
Our services involving learning disability assessments are designed to provide all of the above, all the way through college accommodations. We can also partner with others who have already done some testing, such as schools, to add to that prior battery to answer additional questions. Contact us anytime to discuss how psychological testing for learning disabilities in adults and children can help you or your child.
