A Specific Learning Disability (SLD) is a neurologically based learning difference that impacts a student’s ability to develop skills in areas such as reading, writing, math, listening, speaking, or processing information. An educational evaluation for SLD helps identify a student’s unique strengths and areas of need through a comprehensive assessment process.

An educational diagnosis for a Specific Learning Disability may include cognitive and processing assessments, academic achievement testing, review of educational history and records, classroom performance analysis, and individualized recommendations for supports, accommodations, and intervention planning.

Dyslexia and dysgraphia are types of Specific Learning Disabilities (SLD) that impact the way a student processes and expresses language. Dyslexia primarily affects reading skills, including word recognition, decoding, spelling, and reading fluency, while dysgraphia impacts written expression, handwriting, spelling, and the ability to organize thoughts in writing.

An educational diagnosis for dyslexia or dysgraphia includes a comprehensive evaluation of cognitive and processing skills, academic achievement, language abilities, and educational history to better understand a student’s learning profile. The evaluation also provides individualized recommendations, accommodation recommendations, and recommended intervention strategies designed to support academic success and confidence in the classroom.

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a condition that can impact a student’s attention, focus, organization, impulse control, and executive functioning skills, all of which play an important role in learning and classroom performance. Students with ADHD may experience difficulty sustaining attention, completing tasks, following multi-step directions, managing time, or regulating behavior in academic settings.

From an educational diagnostic perspective, a comprehensive educational impact evaluation helps identify how ADHD may be affecting a student’s learning, academic achievement, and classroom functioning. The assessment may include cognitive and processing measures, behavioral and attention rating scales, academic testing, and review of educational history to provide meaningful recommendations, accommodation recommendations, and recommended support strategies tailored to the student’s individual needs.

It is important to note that an ADHD educational impact evaluation is not intended to provide a medical diagnosis of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Rather, the educational impact evaluation is designed to identify patterns of attention, executive functioning, and behavioral concerns that may be impacting a student's educational performance and daily functioning. The results of the impact evaluation are summarized in a comprehensive report that can serve as valuable supporting documentation for families seeking further evaluation. This report may be shared with a qualified medical professional, such as a pediatrician, psychologist, or psychiatrist, to assist in determining whether additional assessment, diagnosis, or medical intervention may be appropriate.