Learning Disability Evaluations (Dyslexia, Dysgraphia, Dyscalculia)
A Learning Disability does not mean a lack of intelligence. It simply means there is a gap between what your brain knows and what you are able to demonstrate on paper.
At Ellison Psychological Services, we look beyond the "lazy" or "unmotivated" labels. We provide comprehensive evaluations to identify exactly how you or your child processes information—identifying the specific barriers in Reading, Writing, or Math that are holding you back from reaching your full potential.
Is it a Learning Disability? (Common Signs)
For Children & Teens:
- The "Homework Battle": Daily tears, avoidance, or spending hours on assignments that should take 20 minutes.
- Reading Struggles (Dyslexia): Guessing at words based on pictures, skipping small words, slow or "choppy" reading, or difficulty sounding out new words.
- Writing Difficulties (Dysgraphia): Illegible handwriting, pain in the hand when writing, or being able to say a brilliant story but unable to write more than a simple sentence.
- Math Challenges (Dyscalculia): Relying on fingers for simple calculations long past the expected age, difficulty telling time, or "freezing" when looking at numbers.
For Adults:
- The "Workaround" Master: You have built your career on avoiding tasks that expose your weaknesses—like refusing to read aloud in meetings or avoiding writing on whiteboards.
- Slow Processing: You are intelligent and capable, but reading a report or writing an email takes you twice as long as your colleagues.
- Spelling & Grammar Anxiety: A heavy reliance on spell-check or asking others to "proofread" simple messages for fear of looking unprofessional.
- Daily Math Friction: Chronic difficulty with budgeting, estimating time, or mental math that causes embarrassment in social situations (like splitting a bill).
Our Testing Process
Schools often wait for a student to "fail" before testing. We believe in identifying the gap early. We use a "Processing Strengths & Weaknesses" model to understand why the struggle is happening.
- Clinical Interview: We review developmental and educational history to trace when the struggle began. For adults, we look at how you have compensated for these challenges over time.
- Academic History Review: We analyze report cards, work samples, and teacher/partner feedback to look for patterns—such as consistent trouble with spelling despite high creativity.
- Cognitive & Achievement Testing: This is the core of the evaluation. We use gold-standard standardized tests (such as the WISC-V or WAIS-V paired with the WIAT-4 or KTEA-3) to compare your intellectual potential against your actual academic performance.
- Differential Diagnosis: Is it Dyslexia, or is it an attention issue (ADHD)? Is it Dyscalculia, or math anxiety? We use clinical screeners to ensure we are treating the root cause, not just the symptom.
The Outcome: What You Get
A diagnosis changes the narrative from "I'm stupid" to "I learn differently." Your feedback session includes a comprehensive written report with specific, targeted recommendations.
- Instructional Strategy: We identify exactly how you learn best—whether you need visual aids, hands-on learning, or audio support—so you can stop fighting your brain and start working with it.
- School Accommodations: Documentation required for IEPs, 504 Plans, or College Disability Services Offices (e.g., extra time on tests, not grading for spelling, use of a calculator, or access to audiobooks).
- Workplace Tools: Strategies to advocate for efficiency tools, such as speech-to-text software, screen readers, or recording meetings instead of taking written notes.
- Service Recommendations: Specific guidance on interventions, such as structured literacy programs (e.g., Orton-Gillingham).
Why Choose Private Pay Testing?
- Speed: We typically schedule evaluations within weeks, bypassing the lengthy waitlists common in other settings.
- Depth: School evaluations determine eligibility for services, not necessarily the diagnosis. We provide a medical diagnosis that stays with you (or your child) regardless of which school you attend.
- Privacy: Your testing data remains confidential and is not automatically shared with insurance databases, employers, or permanent school records until you choose to share it.