You suspect your child has a learning difference.

You have accomplished a lot already by observing your child with such care and compassion. Give yourself credit for recognizing that maybe, just maybe, a learning difference (LD) has gone undiagnosed.

So our first recommendation is … get a diagnosis! There are a few ways to go about this. You may even try more than one option.

Go to a general or pediatric psychologist—ideally a specialist in neuropsychology—for an assessment of your child’s learning profile.

  • Ask for a neuropsychological evaluation (“a neuropsych”) or a psychoeducational evaluation (“a psych-ed”).
     
  • Either type of evaluation provides a wealth of information. A neuropsych tends to provide deeper insight into why your child might be struggling in school and what interventions may be needed.
     
  • To find a provider who can evaluate your child, ask your primary care physician or visit ChildNEXUS. Or email us for a recommendation.

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  • Neuropsych and psych-eds cost approximately $5,000 minimum. Some providers offer sliding-scale fees based on household income; please be aware that the waiting lists for these lower-cost evaluations tend to be long.
     
  • If your child has ADD/ADHD and sees a behavioral pediatrician, start a conversation about your observations of your child. The behavioral pediatrician will not be able to provide a diagnosis, but may be able to refer you to a trusted psychologist or neuropsychologist.
     
  • A HIPAA-compliant platform like Village may be helpful as you build and coordinate your care teams.

Inform your school district that your child may need special education services. Request an assessment of your child.

  • The district will respond with an assessment plan. Upon your consent, the district will conduct the assessment at no cost and develop an Individualized Educational Program (IEP) for your child.
     
  • Even if your child does not attend public school, your school district is generally obliged to assess your child upon request.
     
  • An IEP is designed to indicate what educational support your child would need within the public school system. It is not equivalent to a neuropsych or a psych-ed, primarily in that it doesn’t make a diagnosis and will only recommend the interventions that a public school is able to provide.
     
  • An IEP is accepted and helpful in the Westmark admission process, but a neuropsych or a psych-ed will give us a greater understanding of your child’s academic and social-emotional profile.
     
  • The IEP process is notoriously difficult according to many parents. But there are online resources to guide you:

  • You may choose to consult an attorney who specializes in California special education law. These specialists can be valuable advocates in the IEP process.