Specific Learning Disability Assessments for Dyslexia, Dysgraphia, Dyscalculia

At the Center for Health, Learning, and Achievement, Dr. Alicia Braccia, and her team of psychologists believe that assessments and successful treatment of learning disabilities necessitate using a variety of assessment methods that help to determine not only what Learning Disability (LD) is present, but also the specific subtypes of the LD that is interfering with growth and progress.   Dr. Braccia’s background in both School Neuropsychology and research-based learning disability remediation allows her and the CHLA team to pinpoint specific subtypes of Dyslexia/Reading Disorder, Dysgraphia/Writing Disorder, and Dyscalculia/Math Disorder in order to devise a targeted treatment plan for that specific issue or issues.  Proper treatment could make a huge difference in how well the patient/client does when treatment is completed.  Dyslexia, Dysgraphia, and Dyscalculia are neurological disorders and, with appropriate intervention, can be minimized in such a way that students can learn more effectively, with a minimum of difficulties.

Dyslexia is a Specific Learning Disability in reading.  Dyslexia is characterized by deficits in accurate and fluent word recognition. Individuals with dyslexia struggle with word recognition, decoding, and spelling. Reading comprehension is sometimes impaired due to very poor word reading skills.  Individuals with Phonological Dyslexia often have deficits in phonemic and phonological awareness, which refer to the ability to hear, identify and manipulate the sound structure of a spoken word, including its phonemes, syllables, onsets, and rhymes. Individuals with Surface Dyslexia may have impaired orthographic processing, which interferes with connecting letters and letter combinations with sounds accurately and fluently.

While Dyslexia is oftentimes diagnosed during childhood (due to difficulties with school), others don’t realize that they have dyslexia until adulthood.  Brain studies have shown that Dyslexia stems from issues in the parts of the brain that processes language, sounds, and visual symbol discrimination. Evaluations focus on breaking down and assessing each area in order to develop differential diagnoses and interventions.

Dysgraphia is a Learning Disability that impairs one’s ability to write.  Issues with spelling, fine motor skills, poor handwriting, and trouble putting thoughts on paper are ways in which Dysgraphia may be coming into play.  Because Dysgraphia is a neurological condition, handwriting, speed at which writing occurs, legibility (letting/word spacing, letter size, etc.) are impacted.  Assessments for Dysgraphia evaluate language, fine motor, and executive functions to identify specific delays.  Interventions can vary depending on the underlying issues that are impacting written expression.

Dyscalculia is a Learning Disability associated with the learning and comprehension of math, difficulties in understanding numbers, being unable to perform math equations and, difficulties with time and spatial reasoning.  As with Dyslexia and Dysgraphia, Dyscalculia is also a neurological disorder.  Assessment is needed to identify where the breakdown is occurring so that proper interventions can be put in place to address the specific subtype of Dyscalculia.