Do we need a diagnosis?

One of the most common questions I get from parents is whether or not they should seek a diagnosis for their child's learning challenges. There is no answer that fits every situation, so I will try to break down some common considerations and weigh the pros and cons of getting an evaluation that could lead to a diagnosis.

• For the purpose of tutoring, a diagnosis or evaluation is not necessary. If a child has previously had an evaluation, this can be helpful for the tutor to understand specific areas of challenges/strength and to get a full picture of recommended remediation. However, our tutors are equipped to begin working with students without formal evaluation.

• If your child is in a public school and could qualify for free support services or classroom accommodations/modifications, then a formal evaluation by a qualified educational psychologist, pediatric neuroscientist, or similar expert, is necessary for getting an IEP (Individual Education Plan) or 504 Plan in the United States. Other countries have similar models for learning support in schools, but you would need to check with your child's school to learn the specific requirements.

• If your child is verbalizing feelings of being different, feeling "stupid" or "dumb," is overwhelmed by the pressure of school, or just wants to understand what is going on in their brains, a diagnosis of a specific learning difference like dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, or ADHD can help them understand that they are actually really smart but struggle with this one particular part of learning. It can improve their sense of self and let them know that there's nothing wrong with them, but they do learn differently and need specific approaches to learning those things that are most challenging for them.

• If your child is facing standardized tests, especially for the purpose of attending a private school or going to college / university, then a formal diagnosis may entitle them to certain testing accommodations relevant for their specific learning difference, such as extended time or extra breaks. In this case, a formal evaluation and diagnosis, is necessary, usually within the past three years.

In my various roles at schools in the US and overseas (Special Education Teacher, Learning Support Teacher, Literacy and Math Specialist, Educational Therapist, Learning Interventionist), not to mention my graduate school studies and Orton-Gillingham training, I have probably read over a thousand reports by Educational Psychologists and similar specialists qualified to conduct a full evaluation of a child's learning. They use a handful of standardized tests to generate an IQ and to breakdown the score into subtests. These subtests can be illuminating in learning about a student's cognitive profile, and I am always grateful for this additional insight for a student when an evaluation is available. Having this information helps me have a better idea of where to begin in working with a student, and usually speeds up the process of finding the best strategies for their learning profile.

However, I don't need to read an Ed Psych report or know their diagnosis to work with a student. I can take what the parents tell me about their child, and if available, have a peek at recent school reports, to put together a package of materials for the first lesson. It might take a few sessions to gauge the best approach for each student, but in reality there is still a fair amount of fine-tuning required even when I have extensive reports available. So in a nutshell, for my purposes as a tutor, it's helpful but not at all necessary.

If you do decide to have your child assessed for a learning difference, I would encourage you to do your homework to ensure that you will get a full evaluation that is focused on understanding the cognitive, academic, and social/emotional strengths and challenges of your unique child. These are best performed by an educational psychologist, pediatric neuroscientist, or similar specialist who can go beyond a simple IQ test. You should ask to see a sample report to get an idea of the thoroughness of the evaluation. These tests are often quite expensive and commonly are administered over the course of a full day or broken up into two days, so make sure you understand the cost and time involved before making a commitment. Sometimes, getting a referral from your child's pediatrician or someone in the special education department at your child's school may be better than reading online reviews.

If you need advice on navigating this decision or on knowing what the next steps should be after getting a diagnosis, feel free to reach out for a consultation to discuss your options.