Educational Testing for Learning Differences

Dyslexia, Dysgraphia, and Dyscalculia Testing

Assessments offer insights to understand and support the unique ways in which a young person learns.

Learning is a complex process, and many students face unique challenges that can affect their academic performance. Approximately 1 in 5 children have a learning disorder, such as dyslexia or dysgraphia, which can impact how they process information and lead to difficulties in reading, writing, and other academic tasks.

Understanding why a student struggles can be the first step toward providing the right support. Thorough assessments for learning differences offer valuable insights into a student's specific strengths and areas of vulnerable development. These evaluations help identify areas where support is needed and guide the development of personalized educational plans at school and other needed intervnetions.

With the appropriate support and strategies, students with learning challenges can build confidence, improve their skills, and thrive academically.

You May Be Wondering

  • Dyslexia is one of the most widely known learning differences. However, it’s also one of the most misunderstood. Dyslexia is a learning difference that affects language-related processing development and skills. It can cause trouble with phonetic understanding, grammar, reading comprehension, and language development.

  • Dysgraphia is a learning difference that affects the child’s ability to develop fine motor skills, specifically handwriting. People who struggle with dysgraphia may have a tough time connecting their thoughts to symbols like letters or images. They can struggle to write or draw concepts. They may have poor spelling, handwriting, memory, spatial awareness, and other concerns. 

  • This type of learning difference affects the person’s ability to understand mathematics. This may include numbers, telling time, counting money, understanding math concepts, identifying patterns, or determining reasoning behind mathematic formulas.

  • In addition to these three common types of learning differences, there are also a number of other concerns we may look for when performing testing for learning differences, including: 

    Auditory Processing Disorder – this is a learning difference that causes people to struggle when processing sounds. Individuals may misinterpret what they hear or struggle to differentiate between background noise and intentional speech. 

    Language Processing Disorder – similar to and often paired with auditory processing disorder, but it specifically impacts a person’s ability to produce and interpret speech. There is difficulty connecting meaning to words. 

    Non-Verbal Learning Disabilities – struggles to understand non-verbal language or social cues. The individual may have poor coordination or perform atypical bodily expressions when communicating.

    Visual Perceptual Motor Deficit – this specific learning difference refers to difficulties with processing visual input. For instance, they may confuse similar looking letters or items, struggle to read maps, or frequently lose their place when reading. This learning difference may also show up as poor coordination, including struggling with fine movements like writing, using scissors, or gluing.

Your child’s evaluation for learning differences will be individualized to ensure we have complete understanding of their areas of strength and weakness, aptitudes, and abilities. There may be some variation in the exact tests utilized. However, every clients follow the same basic process:

How Is Psychological Testing Performed? 

  • Take a few moments to submit an inquiry form or email Dr. Webb the basics of your child’s situation, and I’ll schedule a no-obligation consultation call.

  • This is a brief (about 15-minutes) conversation to discuss concerns, answer questions, and generally determine whether or not testing for learning differences is the right option for your child. 

  • This initial session usually lasts between 60 and 90-minutes. During this appointment, we’ll discuss your child’s history, concerns, academic performance, and goals for testing.

  • A range of learning, intelligence, and aptitude tests will be administered over the course of two separate sessions. Overall testing time is between 5 and 7 hours. Dr. Webb does her utmost to ensure the child is comfortable throughout their visit. If you need help getting them ready for testing, we can discuss tips during your intake interview. In addition to assessments for the child, she will also provide questionnaires for caregivers and educators to complete.

  • After assessments are completed, Dr. Webb carefully reviews all testing results, school records (e.g. IEP or 504 plans, counseling notes, grade reports, feedback from teachers, etc.), medical records, and other information gathered throughout this process.

  • About 4 weeks following the assessment sessions, Dr. Webb will schedule a feedback appointment to discuss any findings or diagnoses uncovered as a result of the evaluations. Following this session, she provides a detailed written report within 48 hours. For older children and teens, Dr. Webb may also schedule a 30-minute session with them individually to go over the results and answer their questions.

Easily Schedule Testing

Scheduling learning differences assessment for your child at Webb Psychological Services doesn’t need to be something that adds worries to your plate. Getting started is simple. Take a few moments to call (360) 328-7880, email hello@webbpsychological.com, or fill out my online contact form. Please don’t provide any confidential information over email or contact form since these contact methods are not secure, and I never want your private information to be vulnerable to access by outside sources.