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Giftedness and learning disability testing in Irvine, CA
How can I empower my child to use their giftedness or intervene with their learning disability?
Giftedness and learning disabilities
Imagine starting school, so excited to learn, yet so bored that you act out. Or maybe, the other kids can read, and you just see a blur of letters. Research is clear that kids with both giftedness and learning disabilities are more likely to develop behavior problems in school.
Intellectual testing measures 5 composites of innate cognitive abilities. These domains can be compared and analyzed to yield valuable insight about your child’s innate patterns of strengths and weaknesses. Parents and teachers can use this information to tailor instruction to your child.
Achievement testing includes a deeper look at academics such as Word Reading, Reading Comprehension, Numerical Operations, Mathematical Reasoning, Verbal Expression, Listening Comprehension, and Written Expression. Performing significantly higher on IQ testing compared to Reading Comprehension or another area could suggest a learning disability in reading.
A typical battery for giftedness may include:
Parent and child clinical interviews
WPPSI-IV/WISC-V/WAIS-V (Intelligence Test)
A typical battery for learning disabilities may include:
Parent and child clinical interviews
BASC-3 (Objective rating scales for parents, teachers, and teens)
WPPSI-IV/WISC-V/WAIS-IV (Intelligence Test)
WIAT-IV
Executive functioning testing
Learning and memory testing
Phonological processing
Psychological testing is necessary to diagnose giftedness and learning disabilities.
Life doesn’t have to feel this way.
Kids with learning disabilities, as well as giftedness, are more at risk for depression, anxiety, and social problems.
Although it may seem like a superpower to be gifted, there are many liabilities if this potential isn’t tapped. Gifted kids need to understand their strengths as well as their weaknesses to develop their potential. If they are gifted in visual-spatial skills but average in verbal comprehension, for example, they may avoid reading or develop social awkwardness. In turn, they may not develop their potential in school or life. In many ways, it is easier to just be average in everything. In order to let giftedness flourish, kids may need intervention in areas that are even average if there is a significant discrepancy. They need intervention to help them develop frustration tolerance when they are bored. Gifted kids are actually more at risk to develop problems with self-esteem, social skills, emotional and behavioral issues without careful assessment and intervention.
Kids with learning disabilities face similar challenges. Once again it is sometimes easier if all abilities are at the same level. If one is below average, it can be very frustrating and spiral into a mountain of social and emotional issues.
Over the years, we have learned how important it is to diagnose and intervene with students with learning disabilities, giving them specific rights under federal law. For example, the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA), ensures special resources such as early intervention for kids who qualify.
Testing for giftedness and learning disabilities can help you…
Identify your child’s unique strengths
Document specific diagnoses for school accommodations and 504 plans
Empower your child toward gifted education programs
Provide helpful resources for parents and teachers
Facilitate effective interventions with tutors and other professionals
Frequently asked questions about giftedness and learning disability assessment:
FAQs
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I am out of network for all insurance including Medicare. Superbills are provided upon request for submission to your insurance. Please check ahead of time if you have out of network benefits as not all insurance programs will reimburse.
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The quickest and easiest way to get started is to set up the initial parent interview. by going to the “client portal” in the top right corner of the home page. You click on the California location and select the diagnostic interview. You will have access to my schedule an initial forms will be sent to your account. During the parent interview, we will determine the number of tests to be conducted and schedule the testing sessions. Learn more.
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Psychological testing is billed at $300 per hour. The initial interview is $500.
Sometimes parents are interested in testing for giftedness and only want an IQ test. For these, I schedule 2 hours. It typically takes 60 to 90 minutes to administer and 75 to 90 minutes to score, interpret, and summarize in a brief report. Additional fees are necessary for more extensive reports and interviews related to giftedness. It is important to have at least 15 minutes for a feedback session so parents understand the results. Depending on the time spent in administration and feedback, it typically costs $900.
Testing for learning disabilities is much more complex and may take 12 -20+ hours, depending on the number of tests administered and the complexity of the questions. The cost of a learning disability often ranges between $4100--$6000.
During the initial parent interview, we will determine the number and type of tests to best meet your child’s needs.
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Yes, I have adult measures and complete IQ and learning disability testing with adults.
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Yes, I administer tests to kids as young as three years old. The IQ test used for kids under 6 is the WPPSI-IV. I have special training related to preschool and kindergarten children.
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Yes, I have a lot of experience doing testing for these accommodations. The specific testing will depend on the issues involved and the number of tests given. It is billed at the same rate and often costs $8000-$10,000 as clients who are looking for extended time often need much more time during the testing process. Additionally, most forms required by agencies will take an hour to fill out.