The Importance of Assessing Learning Disorders in Children

Learning disorders affect the way an individual’s brain processes, communicates, and stores information. The National Center for Learning Disabilities has estimated that about 15% of Americans—about 10 million adults and children in the United States—have some form of learning disability. Common types of these disorders include:

• Dyslexia - Impacts a person’s ability to read and comprehend written communication.
• Dysgraphia - Impacts a person’s ability to write.
• Dyscalculia - Impacts a person’s ability to do mathematical equations.

Learning disorders are not always easy to recognize, which is why many children with dyslexia, dysgraphia, and dyscalculia go undiagnosed into adulthood. Without receiving specialized care or help within the school system, these children face several challenges that impact their success. In this article, we will discuss some of the issues that affect people with learning disabilities, as well as how using the right assessment tools can help prevent these problems for children.

How learning disorders impact student success

Learning disorders don’t just influence a student’s day-to-day life in a school environment; they can also affect their entire educational experience. In addition to being three times more likely to drop out of school, students with learning disabilities are less likely to graduate high school than students without disabilities (68% vs. 81%, according to the National Center for Learning Disabilities).

Additionally, although many people with learning disorders have normal or above average IQs, social stigmas can lead others to assume that these individuals have lower IQs. This can limit a student’s potential academic success. It can also negatively impact their:

• Self-esteem
• Motivation
• Energy levels
• Social and communication skills

The difference of having the right diagnosis

When symptoms of a learning disorder are not recognized early on, children can experience disturbances to the development of their literacy and mathematical skills. This is why it is especially important for schools to have the resources necessary to notice and identify these differences, as students can then be provided with tailored interventions for their individual learning needs. The symptoms of learning disorders vary based on the type (dyslexia, dysgraphia, or dyscalculia), though common signs may include:

• Trouble reading, writing, spelling, or completing math equations at the expected grade level
• Problems with memory and/or following instructions
• Frequently losing track of belongings
• Difficulty completing homework

The symptoms of a learning disorder can also include behavioral effects, such as acting out or having major emotional reactions while at school.

While there are a variety of reasons why a student may be exhibiting the symptoms listed above, these signs should not go ignored. Early recognition of a learning disability can improve a child’s chances of personal and academic success.

The power of assessment tools for learning disorders

Diagnosing a learning disorder correctly can be difficult without the right tools, but psychological assessments can make a major difference. That’s where the Feifer Assessment of Reading (FAR), Feifer Assessment of Writing (FAW), and Feifer Assessment of Mathematics (FAM) from PAR come in, as these are three tools uniquely designed to examine the cause of a student’s specific learning differences. Each test assesses the individual for the cause of their difficulties with reading, writing, or math, allowing the test provider to create effective interventions, develop appropriate reading strategies, and monitor response to intervention. The screening forms for all three assessments can be administered to students from pre-K through college and can be completed in under 20 minutes. They can also be customized to suit subtypes of learning disorders, helping school psychologists and clinicians to refine their recommended treatment plans.

Unlike traditional academic achievement assessments, the FAR, FAM, and FAW differ in that they are diagnostic measures with specific neurocognitive processes built directly into each test. In this way, these tools from PAR focus on getting to the why behind a student’s learning disorder, which in turn allows for improved treatments and outcomes. These assessments can be integrated in the following ways:

• As a general screening of dyslexia, dysgraphia, or dyscalculia
• To determine diagnosis of a learning disability as part of a comprehensive psychological evaluation
• For progress monitoring of discrete skills for school systems operating in a MTSS/RTI paradigm
• To design a deficit- or skill-specific intervention plan using strategies and resources found in the interpretive report

Unlock your students’ potential with learning disability assessments from PAR

Discover how the FAR, FAW, and FAM can change the way learning disorders are assessed and how they can improve outcomes for students.