It’s important that children learn as best as they can, but sometimes, they need a little extra support. Whether that’s difficulty reading and writing or even an ability to sit still, you may want to see if there’s a learning disability impeding their abilities. You want to make sure that your child is doing the best that they can in school, and learning that they’re having difficulties is challenging to come to terms with. When getting your child tested for a learning disability, here’s what you need to know.
How to know if your child needs testing
If your child is struggling in school, it’s incredibly important that you advocate for your child. If they’re struggling, you could schedule a learning disability test to see what accommodations your child may need. However, there isn’t a test for each learning disability. There’s an overall test for a number of them, as the test is an evaluation of how your child is performing in school.
Getting tested by a licensed neuropsychologist is essential, as they can see whether your child has hit essential developmental milestones in their growth. A great resource for parents to look at is Understood, a nonprofit organization that works to educate parents on the different learning disabilities and the tests that their child may take, as tests can vary depending on what educators and parents need to know.
Will schools test for disabilities?
Unfortunately, no. Schools do tests at the beginning and end of the school year to determine where their child is in their learning process, and it’s up to the parents to try and push for testing. Writing a letter to your child’s school recommending that they evaluate your child is an excellent first step.
Teachers are also a good source of information to have. As they work with several children every year, they understand and can pinpoint when a child isn’t necessarily working at the same rate as their classmates. There should be a team of people involved in the identification process, including the school psychologist, the teachers, parents, and speech-language pathologists.
What accommodations are available for a student with learning disabilities?
The neuropsychologist that evaluates your child may also give you a learning plan that includes different teaching strategies, assistive technology that can be used, or study strategies that you can help your child with. You can meet with your child’s teachers and make the necessary accommodations using that information. Remember that everyone involved wants your child to succeed, so there’s nothing to worry about.
By paying attention and identifying possible learning disabilities in your child early, you can ensure that your child stays on track to succeed in their journey. Identification and intervention can also help your child keep their spirits up during school, making learning less frustrating and even more comfortable and confident in school.
Dr. Edward S. Thalheimer is the President and Founder of The Tutoring Center® Franchise Corp. For our part, we here at The Tutoring Center® are continuing to provide one-to-one instruction combined with The Rotational Approach to Learning® to prevent children from slipping through the cracks academically. Our programs help children achieve long-term success, build concentration and focus, and, with our outstanding instructors, find the love of learning. Don’t let your child fall behind this school year. If you’re interested in learning more, or you are interested in opening The Tutoring Center® in your community and joining a team of more than 120 franchise locations nationwide, please visit our website at TutoringCenter.com.