10 Reasons Why You Shouldn't Have Your Kid Assessed for Learning Differences--DEBUNKED

By Lisa Miller & Tatiana Guerreiro Ramos -Classroom Matters Co-Directors

So, you clicked because the thought has crossed your mind: maybe my kid has a learning difference*. Perhaps, like many of us parents, you aren’t sure what to do about it. Or, maybe you have preconceived notions that prevent you from moving forward with an assessment. Here are some of the more common reasons parents and caregivers hesitate, and why you should ignore them.

1. I don’t know where to get started or what kind of assessment to do. 

We totally get it. This can be a tricky landscape. Most of us are unaware of our options and our rights under the law. You’ve probably already identified that your child is struggling with learning, behavior, and/or academic skills. Next, talk to the other adults who interact with your child (co-parents, teachers, tutors, coaches, etc.) and ask them what challenges they have noticed. Talk to your pediatrician about it too. Many doctors will recommend an evaluation (including what type of evaluation--school evaluation versus private evaluation) based on conversations with your child. 

Typically, you will choose between a school evaluation (called an educational assessment or psychoeducational evaluation) and a private evaluation (called a neuropsychological evaluation). Here is some information on both. 

A standard psychoeducational assessment might determine if a child qualifies for special education services for reading comprehension problems, whereas a neuropsychological evaluation would investigate why a child is having reading comprehension problems.

Having your child evaluated is the first step toward getting support and services at school. Testing can not only shed light on your child’s challenges, but it can also give you a better understanding of your child’s strengths. Having both of those pieces of information can help the school—and you—find strategies that work. 

2. It’s expensive. 

Yes, it is true that private evaluations (neuropsychological evaluations) can be expensive--anywhere from $2000 to $10,000--depending on where you live. However, your school district is required by law to assess your child if there is a suspected disability. Even if they attend a private school. All you have to do is make the request in writing. Yup. It’s true. Here is a sample letter you may use. And, if you aren’t satisfied with the results, or you think they aren’t accurate, you may request an Independent Educational Evaluation (IEE) with your own provider. If the district agrees to the IEE, it is required to cover the cost. 

3. There is a stigma to being diagnosed with a learning difference. 

Umm, no. This isn’t the 1980s. And your kid will take their cues from you. Next.

4. I don’t think anyone in our family has a learning difference. Aren’t they genetic? 

Yes, learning differences can be genetic. That means they can be passed down in families through the genes, like many other traits we get from our parents and grandparents. Research shows that approximately 30-40% of learning differences are thanks to DNA. But it’s not that simple because learning differences don’t impact everyone the same way, so your kid could be diagnosed as being on the autism spectrum even though you are not. And, environmental factors play a role. Here is a great article about how dyslexia is impacted by both DNA and the learning environment. 

5. My kid gets good grades. 

We hear this often. However, we encourage you to ask yourself: At what cost? In other words, is your child working harder than their peers? Are they putting in an inordinate amount of time and energy just to stay caught up? Are there frequent meltdowns or is your kid super stressed all the time? Are they sacrificing other activities to do well in school? Do they stay up too late to complete assignments, at the expense of downtime and sleep? If the answer is yes to any of these, then it might be time to consider having them assessed. 

6. My kid seems like a “normal” teenager.

Again, we hear this a lot. And while it’s true that adolescence is full of hormonal highs and lows, if your student has chronic, poor academic self-esteem, it may be due to undiagnosed learning differences. Telltale signs are statements like: I’m working really hard. I don’t know why I’m so bad at school. I’m just not good at...(math, science, writing, etc.). I’m not a good student even though I work all the time. No matter how hard I try, I just can’t do school. If your student feels this way, they are suffering unnecessarily. It is likely they don’t have the scaffolding they need to be successful. With the proper scaffolding, all students can be successful.

7. I am pretty sure my kid has ADHD, so why do I need a formal evaluation?

Well, you don’t need one. But having a formal diagnosis allows you and your child to access valuable resources and support. For example, your child will likely be eligible for a 504 Plan or an IEP (Individual Educational Plan). These are legal documents that protect your child from being discriminated against because of their learning difference (the laws governing these things call them disabilities). Armed with one of these, your student is entitled to accommodations and services that will help level the playing field at school so they can have the same chance of success as their neurotypical peers.

8. I don’t want my kid to be labeled or get special treatment.

Please see #3. And if you’re still not convinced, think about it this way. If your kid had diabetes, wouldn’t you want to know about it so that you could help them test their blood sugar levels on a daily basis, design appropriate meal plans, and get access to insulin if needed? This is a rhetorical question, obviously. You wouldn’t say to them, “Just work harder to produce insulin!” It’s the same with a learning difference. Why would we deprive our students of the help they need? (Again, rhetorical). Learning differences are often “invisible.” Help your kid feel seen and heard by validating their struggles and giving them the tools they need to understand their own brains.

9. Isn’t “special education” for really challenged kids?

No. Not at all. Special education refers to a range of services that can be provided in different ways and in different settings. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to special education. It’s tailored to meet the individual needs of each student. The purpose of special education is to enable students to successfully develop to their fullest potential by providing a free appropriate public education (FAPE) in compliance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Most students who are eligible for special education services remain in what is called a general education classroom. This is known as inclusive education. While 504 plans fall under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), they are also individualized and must guarantee FAPE.

10. I am scared.

Amen. Parenting is scary. We get it. We all want what is best for our children. And if you’re scared, imagine how your child feels. If you suspect your child is struggling due to an undiagnosed learning difference, it might be time for an assessment. It’s never too late to collect valuable information about how your child learns. In fact, for most students (and their families), it’s an informative, empowering process and leads to improved family dynamics, increased student self-esteem, and better academic performance.

Do you need help determining whether an assessment is right for your family? We are here to help. Reach out to us. 

*Learning disability can be a loaded term, and while it has been used for decades, there is a movement to replace it with a learning difference. We prefer this terminology as it acknowledges both the challenges and strengths of students.