Learning Disability Screening Test for Children
This parent and teacher screening questionnaire helps identify signs of learning disabilities in children aged 5-16 — including dyslexia (reading difficulties), dyscalculia (math difficulties), and dysgraphia (writing difficulties). Learning disabilities affect approximately 5-15% of school-age children and are frequently undiagnosed, with children being mislabeled as "lazy," "not trying," or "not smart enough" when they actually have a neurological difference in how their brain processes information.
Important: This is a screening tool, not a diagnosis. A positive screen means a comprehensive psychoeducational assessment is recommended. At Cadabam's CDC, our special educators and psychologists use standardized tools to identify the specific type and severity of learning disability and create an individualized remedial plan.
Book a Learning Disability Assessment | Call: +91 95355 85588
Reading Skills (Dyslexia Screening)
Does your child struggle to sound out unfamiliar words? Do they read significantly below grade level despite adequate instruction? Do they confuse similar-looking letters (b/d, p/q) beyond age 7? Do they lose their place frequently while reading? Do they avoid reading aloud or become frustrated when asked to read? Is their reading comprehension much worse than their listening comprehension? Do they have difficulty remembering the sequence of letters in words (spelling)?
Math Skills (Dyscalculia Screening)
Does your child struggle with basic number facts (addition, subtraction, multiplication) that peers have mastered? Do they have difficulty understanding place value or the concept of larger/smaller numbers? Do they struggle to tell time on an analog clock? Do they have trouble counting money or making change? Do they struggle with word problems even when they can do the calculation? Do they use finger counting long after peers have stopped?
Writing Skills (Dysgraphia Screening)
Is your child's handwriting significantly messier than peers'? Do they write extremely slowly, falling behind on written assignments? Do they have difficulty organizing written ideas despite being able to express them verbally? Do they avoid writing tasks or become frustrated with written work? Is there a large gap between their verbal ability and written output?
General Learning Patterns
Does your child work much harder than peers for the same (or worse) academic results? Do they have strong abilities in some areas but surprising weaknesses in others? Is there a significant gap between their intelligence and their academic performance? Do they struggle despite receiving extra help, tutoring, or repetition?
Interpreting Results
If you answered "yes" to 4 or more items in any single section, OR to the general learning pattern questions, a psychoeducational assessment is recommended. Learning disabilities often co-occur — a child may have both dyslexia and dysgraphia, or dyslexia and dyscalculia.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is a learning disability different from being a slow learner?
A learning disability is characterized by a significant gap between a child's intelligence and their academic performance in specific areas. Children with LDs are typically average or above-average intelligence — their brain simply processes certain types of information (reading, math, or writing) differently. A "slow learner" has below-average cognitive ability across all areas. This distinction is critical because the intervention approaches are completely different.
Can learning disabilities be cured?
Learning disabilities are lifelong neurological differences — they cannot be "cured." However, with evidence-based remedial instruction (like Orton-Gillingham for dyslexia), children learn strategies to work effectively with their brain's wiring. Most children with LDs who receive appropriate support achieve academic success and go on to fulfilling careers. Early intervention produces the best outcomes.
My child is bright but failing — could it be a learning disability?
This is the classic profile. A bright child who struggles academically despite effort and adequate instruction is a strong candidate for LD assessment. The frustration of knowing you're smart but not being able to show it on paper is one of the most common experiences reported by children with learning disabilities.
Book a Psychoeducational Assessment | Call: +91 95355 85588
Screening tool developed by Cadabam's CDC Clinical Team | Last Reviewed: March 2026