A learning disability, formally known as a Specific Learning Disorder (SLD), is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects how an individual learns specific academic skills. Learning disabilities are not caused by low intelligence, lack of motivation, or poor instruction. Many individuals with learning disabilities have average or above-average intellectual abilities but process certain types of information differently.

Every evaluation is tailored to the individual’s referral questions and concerns. Learning disability evaluations typically include a review of educational and developmental history, comprehensive cognitive and academic testing, information from parents and teachers (when appropriate), and additional assessment when needed to fully understand the individual’s learning profile.

The length of a learning disability evaluation depends on the individual’s age, referral questions, and the areas of academic functioning being assessed. Most evaluations include an initial interview, one or more testing appointments, and a feedback session to review the findings and recommendations.

Because learning disability evaluations typically involve comprehensive cognitive and academic achievement testing, the testing portion may take several hours and may be divided across multiple appointments when appropriate. During the initial consultation, we’ll explain the anticipated process and timeline based on the individual’s specific needs.

Learning disability evaluations focus specifically on understanding persistent challenges with reading, writing, and mathematics and determining whether a Specific Learning Disorder (SLD) or another learning-related factor is contributing to those difficulties.

Psychoeducational evaluations take a broader approach by examining how learning, cognition, attention, executive functioning, and mental health work together to influence academic performance and everyday functioning. Depending on the referral questions, one evaluation may be more appropriate than the other. We’re happy to help determine which option best fits your needs.

Yes. We evaluate children, adolescents, college students, and adults.

For college students, learning disability evaluations are often requested to clarify longstanding academic challenges, support requests for disability accommodations, or better understand learning strengths before entering graduate or professional programs.

Adults who are out of school may also benefit from a learning disability evaluation when persistent difficulties with reading, writing, or mathematics continue to affect work performance, everyday functioning, or lifelong learning. In some cases, a broader psychoeducational evaluation may be more appropriate depending on the referral questions and goals for the assessment.

Yes. When appropriate, our evaluations provide documentation that may support requests for school-based services, standardized testing accommodations, college disability accommodations, or workplace accommodations. Because each institution has its own documentation requirements, we recommend confirming those requirements in advance whenever possible.

Calhoun Psychology is a self-pay practice for psychological assessment services. Our self-pay model allows evaluations to be individualized based on clinical needs rather than insurance requirements or predetermined testing limitations. This flexibility allows us to recommend the assessment approach that best addresses each individual’s unique referral questions rather than tailoring the evaluation to insurance coverage criteria.

If your evaluation is completed by one of our Licensed Psychologists, we can provide a superbill that you may submit to your insurance company to request possible out-of-network reimbursement. Because reimbursement policies vary widely by insurance plan, we recommend contacting your insurance provider directly to determine your specific out-of-network benefits.

To help make comprehensive psychological evaluations more accessible, we also offer reduced-fee evaluations completed by doctoral-level psychology interns and postdoctoral clinicians who are closely supervised by our Licensed Psychologists. While these clinicians receive extensive supervision and all evaluation findings are reviewed by a licensed psychologist, services provided by interns or postdoctoral clinicians are generally not eligible for out-of-network insurance reimbursement.