Learning disorders are characterized by academic functioning that is substantially lower than expected, given a person’s chronological age, intelligence, and age-appropriate education. Learning Disorders include Reading Disorder, Mathematics Disorder, and Disorder of Written Expression.
Approximately 5% of students in the United States public schools are identified as having a Learning Disorder.
Learning Disorders are typically diagnosed when there is a significant discrepancy between a person’s achievement scores on testing and intelligence scores.
There is a battery of tests that are administered and interpreted by individuals with extensive training in psychological and neuropsychological testing, typically neuropsychologists, clinical psychologists as well as school psychologists are trained to perform these evaluations.
Here are some of the most commonly known disorders
Reading Disorders
Reading disorders, also known as Dyslexia, are measured by individually administered standardized tests of reading accuracy, speed, and comprehension.
Reading disorders are diagnosed when an individual’s reading achievement falls significantly below what is expected given the individual’s chronological age, measured intelligence, and age-appropriate education.
Mathematics Disorder
Mathematical ability is measured by individually administered standardized tests of mathematical calculation and reasoning.
A Mathematical Disorder is diagnosed when an individual’s mathematical ability is significantly lower than what is expected given the individual’s chronological age, measured intelligence, and age-appropriate education.
Disorder of Written Expression
Issues may be present with regards to an individual’s writing skills, as measured by individually administered standardized tests or a functional assessment of writing skills.
A Disorder of Written Expression is diagnosed when an individual’s writing skills are significantly lower than what is expected given the individual’s chronological age, measured intelligence, and age-appropriate education.
We can assess for each of these learning disorders and provide insight.