When Should a Child Have Diagnostic Testing for Learning Difficulties
Most kids will struggle in school at one point or another during their academic career. It can be normal for parents to see a fluctuation in grades to a small degree, as kids face new challenging lessons or life interferes with distractions.
However, when are a few bad grades an indicator of something more? Are the mood swings and dipping grades typical teenage angst, childhood boredom, and new school struggles, or are they signs that something larger is going on?
If you’re wondering when to have your child tested for learning disabilities or behavioral issues, we at The Family Center in Ellicott City are here to help. The Howard County school system can be challenging and rewarding, with high expectations both from teachers and from peers that students need to thrive in.
To help you and your child find a solution to bad grades and get the support they need, diagnostic testing for learning disabilities could be the answer.
.jpg)
When to Schedule Assessments for Attention and Academic Issues
Common Signs of a Learning Disability or Difficulty
Knowing the signs of a learning disability is the first step to knowing when to schedule a diagnostic assessment. Bad grades and behavior reports from school can be the first step to talking to your child about their school performance. However, especially from a young age, you want to pay attention and look for the common signs of a learning difficulty:
-
Problems with reading
-
Problems with writing
-
Trouble with math
-
Losing focus or attention
-
Inconsistent grades
-
Poor coordination
-
Behavioral issues
Is It Childhood Energy and Teenage Angst or Something More: When to Call
Many parents would relate to their child struggling with math, reading, or writing at some point during their academic career. This may be as early as grade school or appear later in middle school. The truth is, not all learning disabilities appear at a young age. So, when do you know to call for an assessment vs waiting?
When you first notice a learning difficulty with your child, you want to offer support. Talk with their teachers, school counselor, principal, and them to learn what is going on. Take advantage of resources provided by the school, like tutoring or mentorships, to adjust the difficulty of their classes.
Ask your child how they feel, what is going on, and what they are struggling with. Before turning to a diagnostic assessment for a learning disability, you want to offer support to help your child through the lesson and see how things improve.
If you do not notice an improvement in a few months, it may be time to call for an assessment from The Family Center. In a few months time, you and your student should have attempted different lessons, styles of learning, tutoring, and support. If there are no to minimal improvements, something more could be going on.
The Benefits of a Diagnostic Assessment
When traditional support has not helped your child to overcome learning challenges, a diagnostic assessment could reveal what is going on. It could be dyslexia, showing around elementary school, or ADHD, which can wait to develop until the pre-teen years.
A diagnostic assessment of a learning disability can become a tool for understanding, support, resources, and breakthroughs for you and your child.
-
Understand the challenges
-
No more wasted time on approaches that will not work
-
Proper medication, if so chosen
-
School resources
-
Government and state provided support, funding, and resources
See more on How Child Behavior Assessments Can Help with Academic Success
Possible Results of a Diagnostic Assessment
Learning disabilities may include dyslexia, ADHD, sensory issues, auditory processing, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, and more. However, a diagnostic assessment to determine learning difficulties may also reveal behavioral issues that could be impacting school performance.
Tantrums, autism, ADHD, and aggression may be revealed in younger children. Teenagers may discover a diagnosis of anxiety, depression, disruptive moods, or peer pressure-related anxieties like self-harm, drug abuse, or eating disorders.
Understanding any underlying condition or exterior pressure that could be influencing a change in school performance helps parents and teachers provide support to the child for success. Diagnostic assessments aim to discover the underlying condition, whether it is a direct learning disability or an underlying condition that affects focus, mood, and behavior.
.jpg)
Using the Results of a Diagnostic Assessment to Support Your Child
At The Family Center, we offer diagnostic assessments in Ellicott City, MD. Our assessments look at academic challenges, behavior issues, attention problems, and more. We don’t just assess, but provide resources and support.
With the results of your child’s diagnostic assessment for a learning disability or behavioral issue, you get the support of an entire team behind you. The results can help you discuss medication if you so choose, work with a specialized counselor or therapist for your child and for family counseling, and partner with the school for resources.
A well-rounded treatment plan includes everyone being on the same page, working together to support the child, address their needs, and have all adults involved on the same page for success.
At The Family Center, we are here for you. Call today to talk about resources, assessments, and more for your child. Discover the difference.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I consider diagnostic testing for my child’s learning difficulties?
If your child shows ongoing issues with reading, writing, math, attention, or behavioral issues, even after trying tutoring and classroom support, it’s time to consider a diagnostic assessment.
What are the common signs of a learning disability in children?
Common signs include difficulty with reading, writing, or math, trouble focusing, inconsistent grades, poor coordination, and behavioral issues.
What should I do before scheduling a diagnostic assessment for my child?
First, talk with your child, teachers, and school counselors; try tutoring, adjusted learning methods, and mentorships. If there's little to no improvement after a few months, consider testing.
What can a diagnostic assessment reveal about my child?
It may identify learning disabilities like dyslexia, ADHD, or dyscalculia, or uncover behavioral or emotional challenges such as anxiety, depression, or sensory issues.
How can the results of a diagnostic assessment help my child?
The results guide tailored support, including therapy, possible medication, school resources, and coordinated efforts between educators, counselors, and parents for your child’s success.