Is it a learning disability?
If special education efforts at school do not help your child perform at grade level, an evaluation by an experienced pediatric neuropsychologist is the best place to start. Some children have a learning disability that is the result of their brain being “wired” differently than other children. If this is the case, the cause is not because of a visual or hearing handicap, mental retardation, emotional disturbance, or due to environmental, cultural or economic disadvantage. Some learning disabilities include:
- Hearing and visual processing disorders
- Dyslexia
- Nonverbal learning disabilities (imperfect ability to listen, think, speak, read, write, spell or perform math calculations)
Neuropsychological evaluation for learning disability
At Henry Ford, our pediatric neuropsychologists look at all of the potential issues that affect your child’s ability to learn. Our evaluations cover the following:
- Mental ability
- Academic achievement
- Mood
- Behavior
- Input from parents and teachers
Evaluation results are reviewed with parents, and recommendations are made for next steps. If requested, our pediatric neuropsychologists will work with your child’s school and will attend Individualized Education Plan meetings to serve as your child’s advocate.
We also provide evaluations to determine if your child:
- Is able to drive or work
- Needs special accommodations at college
- Has the capacity to make medical decisions
- Needs a guardian
Check with your health insurance provider to learn if neuropsychological services are a covered benefit under your health plan.