How Do I Know If My Child Needs a Learning Disability Evaluation?

A Learning Disability Evaluation is a comprehensive clinical assessment that identifies how a child learns and where they may face challenges. Unlike basic school testing, which may focus only on classroom performance or grade-level skills, this type of learning assessment digs deeper. It examines cognitive functioning, executive skills, processing speed, memory, and academic achievement through LD testing and neuropsychological evaluation tools. It’s designed to uncover specific learning disorders like dyslexia or dyscalculia and inform more individualized support.

You should consider a Learning Disability Evaluation if your child consistently struggles with reading, writing, math, attention, or organization—especially if tutoring or classroom support hasn’t helped. Common red flags include difficulty retaining information, avoiding homework, or showing signs of emotional distress related to school. A formal educational testing process can clarify whether these issues stem from a learning disorder and guide steps like applying for an IEP or 504 Plan.

At TEMA Therapy, our Learning Disability Evaluation process includes an intake with parents, direct cognitive testing, academic assessments in reading, math, and writing, behavioral questionnaires, and a thorough review of school history. Our clinicians use neuropsychological testing to assess processing speed, working memory, attention, and problem-solving skills. The result is a full diagnostic report that outlines strengths, challenges, and personalized recommendations for special education support, tutoring, or classroom accommodations.

Executive functioning refers to skills like planning, organizing, time management, and self-regulation. During a Learning Disability Evaluation, we assess these skills through specialized tasks and questionnaires. Difficulties with executive functioning often coexist with ADHD and learning disorders, and identifying these challenges allows us to recommend strategies such as structured routines, visual aids, and executive skills coaching.

Educational testing is central to diagnosing learning disabilities. It assesses how your child performs in academic areas like reading, writing, and math compared to peers of the same age or grade. Paired with cognitive assessments, educational testing highlights the gap between potential and performance, helping pinpoint specific learning disorders and guiding interventions, accommodations, and referrals for special education services.

If your child’s evaluation results meet the criteria for a recognized learning disorder, the report can be submitted to your local school district to determine eligibility for special education services. We provide documentation and support to help families navigate the process, whether they are pursuing an Individualized Education Program (IEP), a 504 Plan, or informal accommodations. Every recommendation is based on objective data gathered during the Learning Disability Evaluation.

A Learning Disability Evaluation identifies the underlying reasons why a child may be underperforming academically. Rather than guessing or relying solely on grades, the evaluation reveals specific barriers to learning—such as weak working memory, slow processing speed, or difficulty with language-based tasks. With this information, educators and families can implement targeted strategies and accommodations that directly improve academic performance over time.