One of the many clinical services we provide at the Counseling Center is screenings and testing for learning disabilities (LDs).

Students may experience difficulties in learning such as retention of information, problems taking certain types of exams, being easily distracted, or generally feeling overwhelmed regardless of how much time they spend studying. Often these challenges can be explained by overload of course work, interference of other problems and stressors such as anxiety, or even "a slump". However, the source of the difficulties may be a learning disability.

A learning disability (LD) is defined as a disorder in one or more of the processes needed to understand use spoken or written language and that negatively affects a person’s ability to express themselves, think clearly, write, spell, read, or perform math. The most common types of LDS are reading, mathematics, writing, and nonverbal. However, learning difficulties that are from the effects of hearing, motor, visual, emotional concerns, cultural opportunities, financial challenges are not considered learning disorders. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder often results in learning problems but is not considered an LD. (IDEA, 2004).

Many serious learning problems are discovered and help is provided in earlier grades. You may have been previously “tested” (or “evaluated”) for and “coded” with an LD, which is a designation made in most public schools to indicate a need for extra assistance from a specialist, or in order to obtain extra resources, as in a resource room or one-on-one tutoring, or additional time for testing.

However, sometimes individuals with learning problems learn to compensate; they "get by" and are not noticed as having challenges. When those individuals find themselves confronted by the volume and depth of college level work they often become overwhelmed, discouraged, and frustrated. Though they work very hard, their grades don't reflect that effort. They may observe that others around them study less but have better results or another family member may have had an LD.

Students who come to the Counseling Center may be self-referred or come because others (e.g., friends, family, faculty) have encouraged them to seek assistance. The first step is to  have request an intake. An intake is an interview with a counselor that provides the opportunity for students to get information and ask questions. The information gathered during the intake may indicate that testing for a LD would helpful. The next step could be one of the following:

1. Scheduled for testing or placed on our wait list for testing at the Counseling Center (see below for types of tests we administer)
2. Referred to someone outside the Counseling Center who could better meet the needs of the individual.

Our resources are limited in the extent and type of testing we do. We do not do screenings or testing for a diagnosis for ADD/ADHD, and we do not perform neuropsychological testing. We provide only several evaluations per academic year so there is often a lengthy wait list. However, we emphasize that an intake can be a good place to seek information and learn which options are available. 

If you are to be tested at the Counseling Center you will be asked to provide any information you might have from previous testing or evaluations, and possibly grades or samples of your work. As we work closely with other offices on campus who are also involved in providing services to students with learning problems, we encourage you to sign releases of information giving us permission to talk with those offices so that we can provide you with adequate follow-up services to testing. Because of the high demand for screenings and our lengthy waiting list, we have a cancellation/no show policy. If you cancel your screening without giving us 48 hours advance notice or do not show up for your appointment, you will be placed at the end of the current list. The evaluations generally consist of tests that are used to measure your verbal, nonverbal, memory and academic skills.

For more information on or help with LDs click here