What is the difference between a school evaluation and a clinical diagnosis from Cadabam's?

A school evaluation is typically focused on determining eligibility for special education services within the school system. A clinical diagnosis from Cadabam's is a more in-depth, medical and psychological process that provides a specific diagnosis (e.g., Dyslexia, Dyscalculia) and offers broader recommendations for therapies and support both in and out of school.

How long does the entire learning disability evaluation process take?

The entire process, from the initial consultation to the final feedback session, usually takes 2-4 weeks. This allows for thorough testing, scoring, interpretation, and report writing. The actual face-to-face testing is typically completed over several sessions to ensure the child does not get fatigued.

My child has ADHD. How do you differentiate it from or diagnose it alongside a learning disability?

This is very common. Our multidisciplinary team is expert at differentiating between ADHD, learning disabilities, and co-occurring conditions. Our comprehensive testing assesses attention and executive functions alongside academic and processing skills, allowing us to identify if the challenges stem from ADHD, a specific learning disability, or both. *[(Learn more about ADHD vs. Learning Disabilities here.)]*

Is the diagnosis covered by insurance?

Coverage varies significantly between insurance providers and plans. We provide detailed receipts and documentation that you can submit to your insurance company for potential reimbursement. We recommend you check with your provider about coverage for "psycho-educational assessment."

What are the immediate next steps after we receive a diagnosis?

The final step of our process is planning your next steps *with* you. We will connect you directly with our therapy coordinators to begin recommended interventions like special education, occupational therapy, or speech therapy. We also provide guidance on how to share the report with your child's school to arrange for accommodations.

Can a learning disability diagnosis for adults really make a difference later in life?

Absolutely. An adult diagnosis can be profoundly empowering. It provides a framework for understanding past challenges, allows you to advocate for yourself in professional and academic settings, and equips you with strategies to leverage your strengths more effectively, leading to greater success and personal satisfaction.

Expert Learning Disabilities Diagnosis at Cadabam’s Child Development Center

What is a learning disabilities diagnosis? A learning disabilities diagnosis is a comprehensive clinical process to identify specific challenges in cognitive processing that affect a person's ability to learn and use academic skills like reading, writing, or math.

At Cadabam’s Child Development Center, our 30+ years of experience ensure this diagnosis is reached through evidence-based, compassionate care, providing a clear path forward for your child's development and academic success.

Understanding a Formal Learning Disabilities Diagnosis

While informal observations from teachers and parents are important, a formal diagnosis is the critical step that unlocks essential support systems. It provides a recognized basis for school accommodations, specialized therapies, and personalized learning strategies, transforming a child's struggle into a structured plan for success.

The Cadabam’s Advantage: A Diagnosis with a Difference

Choosing where to seek a learning disabilities diagnosis is a significant decision. At Cadabam's, we believe the process should be as empowering as the outcome. Our approach is built on a foundation of deep expertise, holistic care, and a commitment to your family's well-being.

Beyond a Label: A Holistic Understanding

Our primary goal is not simply to apply a label. It is to gain a profound understanding of your child’s unique cognitive profile—their distinct strengths, their specific challenges, and their incredible potential. We operate from a philosophy of neurodiversity, viewing each child as unique, not deficient. This perspective allows us to create a roadmap that builds on what your child can do, fostering confidence and a love for learning.

A Multidisciplinary Diagnostic Team

A single opinion is rarely sufficient to capture the complexity of a learning profile. Our strength lies in our integrated, multidisciplinary team. Clinical psychologists, special educators, speech-language pathologists, and occupational therapists collaborate, bringing multiple expert perspectives to the evaluation. This ensures a 360-degree view, leading to a more accurate and comprehensive learning disabilities diagnosis.

State-of-the-Art Infrastructure for Accurate Assessment

The environment in which an evaluation takes place matters. Our assessment rooms are designed to be calm, child-friendly, and free from distractions, allowing your child to perform at their best. We utilize only the most current, standardized, and globally recognized diagnostic tools and assessments to ensure the results are reliable, valid, and precise.

From Diagnosis to Action: A Seamless Transition to Therapy

Receiving a diagnosis at Cadabam’s is the first step in a fully supported journey. Because our diagnostic and therapeutic teams work under one roof, the transition from assessment to intervention is seamless. The specialists who diagnose your child work directly with our therapists to translate the findings into an immediate, targeted, and effective therapy plan.

Recognizing the Need: When to Seek a Professional Evaluation

Many parents wonder if their child's struggles are a normal part of development or a sign of an underlying issue. Here are key indicators that suggest a formal learning disability evaluation process is needed.

Persistent Academic Difficulties

Significant trouble learning the alphabet, numbers, rhymes, or days of the week.
Difficulty understanding and remembering what is read (poor reading comprehension), even if they can read the words aloud.
Persistent challenges with spelling, grammar, and writing coherent sentences.
Struggles with fundamental math concepts, remembering math facts, or problem-solving (dyscalculia).
Poor performance on tests despite studying and knowing the material.

Challenges with Information Processing

Difficulty following multi-step instructions or remembering sequences.
Poor memory for information that was just seen or heard.
Struggles to organize thoughts for speaking or writing, often resulting in disjointed stories or essays.
Noticeably slow speed in processing information compared to peers.

Issues with Executive Functioning & Motor Skills

Consistently messy or illegible handwriting (dysgraphia).
Clumsiness, poor coordination, or difficulty with fine motor tasks like tying shoelaces or using scissors.
Extreme difficulty with planning, prioritizing tasks, and managing time.
Frequently losing belongings like homework, books, or personal items.

Behavioral and Emotional Indicators

Strong avoidance of schoolwork, reading, or any task perceived as difficult.
Expressing high levels of frustration, anxiety, or anger related to academics.
Low self-esteem or making comments like "I'm dumb" or "I can't do it."
Being labeled "lazy," "unmotivated," or "not trying hard enough" by teachers.

How to Get Diagnosed with a Learning Disability: The Cadabam’s Pathway

We understand that the prospect of an evaluation can feel overwhelming. That’s why we’ve designed a clear, transparent, and supportive pathway to give you and your child confidence at every stage.

Step 1: Initial Consultation and Developmental History

Your journey begins with an in-depth consultation. This is a collaborative session where we listen to your concerns, gather detailed information about your child’s developmental milestones, medical history, family background, and review school reports. We focus on building a strong rapport and a complete picture of your child’s world.

Step 2: Psycho-Educational Assessment

This is the core of the learning disability evaluation process. Our clinical psychologists conduct a series of standardized tests to measure different aspects of your child’s abilities. These typically include:

Cognitive Assessment (IQ Testing): This measures intellectual abilities and cognitive potential, such as verbal reasoning, visual-spatial skills, and processing speed.
Achievement Testing: This measures your child's current academic skills in core areas like reading fluency, reading comprehension, written expression, and mathematical calculation.
Processing Tests: These specialized tests evaluate specific cognitive processes crucial for learning, such as phonological awareness (the ability to hear and manipulate sounds in words), working memory, and visual-motor integration.

Step 3: The Learning Disability Diagnostic Criteria Explained

A key question families have is about the learning disability diagnostic criteria. In simple terms, a diagnosis is made when there is a significant and unexpected gap between a person's overall intellectual potential (their IQ score) and their actual academic achievement. This discrepancy must not be better explained by other factors like lack of instruction, sensory impairments, or other mental health conditions. Our team adheres strictly to the criteria outlined in official diagnostic manuals like the DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition) to ensure the diagnosis is clinically sound.

Step 4: Behavioral Observation and Clinical Interviews

Test scores alone don't tell the whole story. Our specialists carefully observe your child’s behavior during testing sessions. We note their approach to challenging tasks, their attention span, frustration tolerance, and use of problem-solving strategies. This qualitative data provides invaluable context to the quantitative test results.

Step 5: The Diagnostic Report and Feedback Session

Upon completion of the evaluation, we compile a comprehensive diagnostic report. This detailed document explains all the test results in clear, understandable language, provides a definitive learning disabilities diagnosis (or rules one out), and outlines personalized, actionable recommendations for school, home, and therapy. We then meet with you for a detailed feedback session to discuss the findings, answer all your questions, and collaboratively plan the next steps.

Who Can Diagnose Learning Disabilities? Meet Our Expert Team

One of the most critical questions families ask is, "Who can diagnose learning disabilities?" A valid diagnosis requires specific credentials and expertise. Cadabam’s Child Development Center brings all the necessary professionals together under one roof, ensuring a coordinated and authoritative assessment.

Clinical & Rehabilitation Psychologists

These rehabilitation psyshologists are at the heart of the diagnostic process. They are trained and licensed to administer, score, and interpret the standardized cognitive (IQ) and psychological tests that are essential for identifying a learning disability.

Educational Psychologists & Special Educators

Our educational experts assess academic skills in depth, understanding the curriculum and classroom context. They are vital for translating the diagnostic findings into practical, effective educational strategies and accommodation plans (IEPs).

Developmental Pediatricians & Child Psychiatrists

Our medical experts play a crucial role in the evaluation. Developmental Pediatricians conduct thorough examinations to rule out any underlying medical conditions, sensory impairments (like vision or hearing problems), or other neurodevelopmental disorders like ADHD, which often co-occurs with learning disabilities in children.

Speech-Language Pathologists & Occupational Therapists

These therapists provide critical input. Speech-Language Pathologists assess language processing, phonological skills, and comprehension, while Occupational Therapists evaluate fine motor skills, visual-motor integration, and sensory integration—all of which can significantly impact a child's ability to learn.

Expert Insight:

“A true diagnosis is a collaboration. We bring multiple lenses—psychological, educational, and therapeutic—to see the whole child. This ensures our recommendations are not just accurate, but practical and life-changing.” - Lead Clinical Psychologist, Cadabam’s CDC. [Find out more about our team of experts here.]

Unlocking Potential at Any Age: Our Learning Disability Diagnosis for Adults

It is never too late to understand your own learning profile. A learning disability diagnosis for adults can be a transformative experience, providing answers to lifelong questions and paving the way for new strategies for success in your career and personal life.

Why Adults Seek a Diagnosis

Adults often seek an evaluation after encountering specific triggers:

Facing unexpected challenges in higher education or professional certification programs.
Struggling with workplace demands related to writing, reading, or organization.
Seeking a diagnosis for their own child and recognizing remarkably similar patterns in themselves.
A lifelong feeling of "not being smart enough" despite being intelligent and creative, and wanting to finally understand why.

The Adult Evaluation Process: Key Differences

The evaluation process for adults is tailored to their unique circumstances. While it includes core cognitive and achievement testing, there is a greater emphasis on:

Historical Evidence: Reviewing past school report cards, work performance reviews, and other documents to establish a history of challenges.
Current Demands: Analyzing the specific academic or workplace demands causing difficulty.
Self-Reported Experiences: In-depth interviews about personal experiences with learning, coping mechanisms developed over time, and the emotional impact of these struggles.

Benefits of an Adult Diagnosis

Receiving a diagnosis as an adult provides immense benefits, including:

Validation: Finally having a name and an explanation for lifelong struggles.
Accommodations: The ability to request formal accommodations at university or in the workplace.
Self-Understanding: Gaining insight into your own strengths and weaknesses, allowing you to choose careers and hobbies that align with your cognitive profile.
Strategies for Success: Learning new, more effective ways to approach tasks, manage time, and organize information.

Real Stories, Real Progress

Case Study: From Frustration to First in Class

Rohan, an 8-year-old, was bright and articulate but struggled immensely with reading. His parents were told he was just "a late bloomer." After a comprehensive evaluation at Cadabam's, he received a diagnosis of Dyslexia. The clarity was immediate. The diagnostic report gave his parents and teachers a precise plan. With targeted intervention from our special educators focusing on phonics and multisensory learning, Rohan’s confidence soared. Within a year, he was not only keeping up but had become one of the most enthusiastic readers in his class.

Testimonial: "Finally, an Answer"

"For years, we watched our daughter struggle and we felt so helpless. The diagnostic process at Cadabam’s was the turning point. The team was so compassionate and thorough. During the feedback session, they didn't just give us a label; they explained our daughter's unique mind to us. We left not with a sense of dread, but with a feeling of relief, hope, and a clear plan. We finally had an answer and a path forward." - Parent of a 10-year-old.