Motor skills developmental problems or delayed development are also sometimes considered to be Learning Disabilities. More than one area of learning problems can be present in an individual.
Both parents and teachers are able to request an evaluation for Learning Disabilities. If a parent believes their child has any of the above disabilities and they are interfering with the child’s ability to succeed in the classroom, they should request an evaluation. This request must be in writing.
Once a parent has requested an evaluation, they should gather as much information as possible. Keep a notebook and write down your observations when your child is completing homework, reading or writing. Include information on where they seem to be experiencing the most difficulty. In addition, talk with your child’s teachers to find out performance levels and areas that your child is having problems in the classroom. If you use additional care givers, such as relatives, babysitters or after school programs, talk with them as well. Ask them to record their observations.
The school should contact you with the date of the evaluation and who will be performing it. Provide a copy of your observations to be included in the evaluation.
Once the process has been completed, you should be notified and invited in to the school to discuss the findings. If a Learning Disability has been discovered, you will meet with a team to determine classroom and school strategies that will work to help your child succeed. The school may set up an Individualized Educational Plan (IEP), with specific items for your child’s teachers to implement.
If you disagree with the results of the evaluation, you are able to have an independent evaluation completed. You will need to pay for an outside evaluation. If you have an independent evaluation performed, you will need to submit the results to the school. The completed evaluation should include the following information:
- Diagnosis according to DSM-IV
- Medical History
- Academic History
- Current Symptoms
- Examples of Impairment
- Explanation of ruling out of other diagnosis
- List of all standardized tests used during the evaluation
- Summary
- Suggestions for accommodations
- Name and qualifications of person completing the evaluation (complete evaluation should be on the provider’s letterhead that includes name, address and phone number)
