Learning Disability Evaluations
Learning Disability & Psychoeducational Evaluations
A psychoeducational evaluation pinpoints why a capable child struggles with reading, writing, or math by testing cognitive ability alongside academic skills. It identifies learning disabilities such as dyslexia, dysgraphia, and dyscalculia and recommends the specific instruction and accommodations your child needs. Testing is in Pinellas County; reports are accepted across Tampa Bay.
How do I know if my child has a learning disability?
If your child struggles with reading, writing, spelling, or math despite real effort and classroom support, a learning disability may be the cause. A psychoeducational evaluation measures cognitive ability alongside academic achievement to pinpoint the disability and explain the gap between potential and performance.
Signs that an evaluation may help include reading far below grade level, slow or messy handwriting, trouble with basic math facts, avoiding schoolwork, or a pattern of "she's so bright but it isn't showing up in her grades." Children who are both gifted and learning disabled — twice-exceptional learners — are especially easy to miss.
Dyslexia, dysgraphia, and dyscalculia: what's the difference?
Dyslexia mainly affects reading and decoding, dysgraphia affects handwriting and written expression, and dyscalculia affects number sense and math. A child can have one or several at once. A psychoeducational evaluation identifies which is present and rules out other explanations.
Because these conditions overlap and often travel with attention or language differences, a comprehensive evaluation is the most reliable way to understand what's actually happening for your child — and what will help.
What tests are included in a psychoeducational evaluation?
A psychoeducational evaluation pairs a cognitive measure such as the WISC-V with academic achievement testing such as the Woodcock-Johnson, plus assessments of processing speed, memory, and phonological skills. Together these identify learning disabilities and the specific accommodations your child needs.
The result is a clear profile of your child's strengths and weaknesses — not just a label — with practical recommendations you can take to the school, a tutor, or a reading specialist.
School evaluation vs. private evaluation
School evaluations are free but can take up to 90 school days and focus only on what affects classroom performance. A private psychoeducational evaluation is usually scheduled within 1 to 2 weeks, is more comprehensive, and gives you an independent report you own and can use however you need.
A private evaluation is completed by a Nationally Certified School Psychologist and is accepted by Pinellas, Hillsborough, Pasco, and Manatee County schools, so it supports 504 and IEP conversations and private-school or tutoring decisions alike. Will Florida schools accept a private evaluation? →
What's included in your evaluation
- A free 15-minute consultation to clarify your concerns
- Parent and teacher input through questionnaires and interviews
- One-on-one cognitive and academic achievement testing
- Assessment of processing speed, memory, and phonological skills
- A detailed written report with diagnoses, if appropriate, and recommended accommodations
- A feedback session to review findings and plan next steps
FAQ
Learning Disability Evaluation Questions
Common questions about psychoeducational testing.
If your child struggles with reading, writing, spelling, or math despite good effort and classroom support, a learning disability may be the cause. A psychoeducational evaluation measures cognitive ability alongside academic skills to pinpoint conditions such as dyslexia, dysgraphia, or dyscalculia and explain the gap.
Dyslexia mainly affects reading and decoding, dysgraphia affects handwriting and written expression, and dyscalculia affects number sense and math. A child can have one or several. A psychoeducational evaluation identifies which is present and recommends targeted instruction and accommodations.
A psychoeducational evaluation pairs a cognitive measure (such as the WISC-V) with academic achievement testing (such as the Woodcock-Johnson) and assessments of processing speed, memory, and phonological skills. Together these identify learning disabilities and the specific accommodations your child needs.
Worried your child is struggling more than they should?
Schedule a free 15-minute consultation to talk through what you're seeing and decide whether a psychoeducational evaluation can help.
Free 15-minute consultation · Testing in Pinellas County · Reports accepted by Pinellas, Hillsborough, Pasco & Manatee schools