Learning Disability Test and Assessments
In Australia it is likely that two to three children in each classroom will experience problems with learning.Many adults in various types of employment may also struggle with difficulties in reading, writing, spelling or maths.
What is a specific learning disorder?
A specific learning disorder can affect how people learn in a variety of ways including how they take in, remember, understand or express information. A specific learning disorder may be defined as problems people encounter in learning that affect achievement.The most common forms of learning difficulties are in reading and spelling, but they may also be found in other areas including spoken language and mathematics. People who present with a specific difficulty in one or more areas usually also experience difficulties in other areas of learning.
Learning Disorder types:
- Dyslexia
- Dyscalculia
- Dysgraphia
- Non-Verbal learning disabilities
- Oral/Written Language Disorder
- Reading comprehension deficit
- Executive functioning
How can a learning disability assessment help?
A comprehensive learning disability assessment will reveal the answers to these four key questions:1. What are the specific problems with their underlying learning and processing skills?
2. What level are they are currently achieving at with their academic skills? (Compared with what is expected for their age and year level.)
3. What might they be potentially capable of achieving?
4. Which learning strategies and interventions are likely to be most helpful at school and at home?
It’s NOT about “labeling” children with a disorder…
Instead, this information enables parents to make more informed decisions about their child’s education…So they can make the required changes as EARLY as possible…
Ensure the right learning strategies are put in place at school and at home…
Empower their child with greater insight into how they learn…
And ultimately help them to reach their full learning potential.
But without this information?
Parents and teachers are basically “flying blind”…
How is an SLD assessment run?
1. An initial interview with a psychologist: gathering comprehensive background information through interviews with the person and in the case of a child this may be interviews and information from parents and schoolteachers as well.
2. WISC- V or WAIS -IV Test administration: by a registered and trained psychologist.
3. WIAT-III Test administration: by a registered and trained psychologist.
4. Results & feedback: to explain findings, provide recommendations and opportunities to discuss any questions you may have with the psychologist. You will also receive a formal report with this information
For people with a specific learning disorder, these problems cannot be explained by low intellectual ability, by another disorder, a lack of education, or a visual or hearing impairment. Each person experiencing a learning disorder is unique and will present with varying degrees of difficulty.