Learning Disorders Evaluation in Newton, MA

Your child works harder than their classmates but still struggles with reading, writing, or math. Perhaps they understand concepts verbally but can't demonstrate knowledge on paper. Newton Neuropsychology Group provides comprehensive learning disorders evaluations for children and adolescents throughout Newton and the greater Boston area. We help you understand your child's unique learning style and access appropriate support.

When Learning Feels Harder Than it Should, Something Deeper May be Going on

You might watch your child spend hours on homework that peers complete quickly. Perhaps they avoid reading aloud or become frustrated during writing assignments. Maybe math facts won't stick despite repeated practice. These struggles can leave both you and your child feeling confused and discouraged.

The emotional toll can feel significant:

• You might feel worried about your child falling further behind academically
• You may experience frustration that traditional tutoring hasn't helped
• Your child could feel defeated after trying hard without seeing progress
• You might wonder whether your child is simply not trying hard enough or if something else is happening

At Newton Neuropsychology Group, we understand that learning differences are real and not due to lack of intelligence or effort. Our comprehensive evaluations identify specific learning disorders and provide strategies to help your child succeed.

Understanding Specific Learning Disabilities

Learning disorders are neurodevelopmental conditions affecting how the brain processes, stores, or produces information. These conditions impact specific academic skills despite average or above-average intelligence. Children with learning disorders often work significantly harder than peers to achieve the same results. We now know that 1 in 5 individuals in the United States from the Learning Disabilities Association of America.

A learning disorders evaluation is a comprehensive neuropsychological assessment that looks at how a person processes information in reading, writing, and math. It helps identify learning differences like dyslexia, dysgraphia, or dyscalculia, and distinguishes them from other challenges like ADHD or anxiety. At Newton Neuropsychology Group, we offer detailed, developmentally attuned evaluations for children, teens, and adults who are struggling with academics and want to understand why.

Learning disorders are not related to intelligence. Many children with learning disorders are intellectually gifted in some areas while struggling in others.

Expertise in Comprehensive Learning Assessment

Our neuropsychologists have extensive training in identifying specific learning disorders and differentiating them from other conditions that affect academic performance. Attention difficulties, anxiety, depression, or simply needing different instruction can all impact school performance. Our comprehensive approach determines the actual cause of academic struggles.

We don't just identify whether a learning disorder exists, we examine the specific cognitive processes involved. Understanding exactly which aspects of reading, writing, or math are affected allows us to recommend interventions that target actual areas of difficulty rather than providing generic academic support.

Our evaluations assess cognitive abilities, academic achievement, processing skills, attention, memory, and executive functioning. This comprehensive picture reveals your child's unique learning profile, including strengths that can be leveraged and specific weaknesses that need accommodation or intervention.

We provide detailed recommendations for school accommodations, specialized interventions, and strategies you can implement at home. Our reports support requests for IEPs or 504 plans and help teachers understand how to support your child's learning effectively.

What Accurate Diagnosis Provides

Moving Forward With or Without Support

Without accurate understanding of learning disabilities, struggles often intensify as academic demands increase. Your child may continue falling behind peers despite working harder. Self-esteem can suffer when repeated effort doesn't produce expected results. Anxiety about school may develop. Some children begin avoiding academic tasks entirely to escape the frustration.



With proper evaluation and support, significant improvement becomes possible. Children receive accommodations that level the playing field, allowing them to demonstrate knowledge without being limited by processing difficulties. Specialized interventions target specific areas of weakness using evidence-based approaches. Many children describe relief at finally understanding why school felt so hard and learning that they're not "stupid." With appropriate support, children with learning disorders can thrive academically.

Schedule Your Learning Disorders Evaluation

If your child struggles with reading, writing, or math despite adequate instruction and effort, comprehensive evaluation can identify specific learning disabilities and guide effective intervention. We serve families throughout Newton and the greater Boston area.

Our evaluations help you understand your child's unique learning style and access appropriate educational support.

How Learning Assessment Works

01

Initial Intake Interview

We meet with parents for approximately one hour to understand your child's developmental and educational history, current academic concerns, and what interventions have been tried. We gather information about your child's strengths, challenges, and how they approach academic tasks. This conversation helps us tailor testing to address your specific questions.

02

Comprehensive Testing

We conduct thorough assessment of cognitive abilities, academic achievement in reading, writing, and math, processing skills, attention, memory, and executive functioning. Testing typically takes five to six hours for children, which can be split across multiple sessions if needed. We use standardized measures that compare your child's performance to same-age peers. After testing, we may contact teachers to gather information about classroom functioning.

03

Feedback and Educational Planning

Once we've analyzed test data, we schedule feedback to discuss results in detail. We explain your child's cognitive and academic profile, identify any learning disorders present, and provide specific recommendations for interventions, accommodations, and strategies. You receive a comprehensive written report that supports IEP or 504 plan requests and guides educational planning.

How Evaluation Supports School Services

Learning disorders evaluation provides documentation that establishes eligibility for educational services and accommodations. Under IDEA, children with learning disabilities may qualify for an Individualized Education Program (IEP) that provides specialized instruction. Under Section 504, children may receive accommodations that help them access the curriculum.

Accommodations might include extended time on tests, reduced homework assignments, use of assistive technology, preferential seating, or modified assignments. These supports don't lower standards, they provide access to learning by removing barriers created by the learning disability.

Our evaluation reports clearly explain your child's learning disability and recommend specific accommodations based on their cognitive profile. Schools are more likely to implement appropriate accommodations when requests are supported by comprehensive neuropsychological evaluation rather than brief screening.

Common Questions About Learning Disorders Evaluation

Understanding Opens Doors to Success

Learning disorders evaluation provides clarity about your child's unique learning style and opens access to appropriate educational support. Whether your child struggles with reading, writing, or math, Newton Neuropsychology Group offers comprehensive assessment.