How Do Adults Get Tested for Dyslexia, Dysgraphia and Related Learning Difficulties?
Is there such thing as a dysgraphia, dyscalculia, or dyslexia test for adults?
For most of us, the discussion around learning difficulties revolves mostly around children. This isn’t surprising, since the most common way one becomes diagnosed with a learning difficulty is through a school system. Usually, the initial evaluation and testing happen because a child has trouble in school. Both behavioral and academic troubles can trigger this kind of evaluation.
However, there are several situations when an adult might want to get tested. Sometimes, the person was diagnosed with learning differences as a child, and they need the diagnosis confirmed. In other cases, adults want to find out why they had trouble in school but were undiagnosed as children. Finally, adults often seek testing because they have struggles in daily life and want to know why.
Unfortunately, if you are an adult that needs evaluation for learning differences, the required supports seem much harder to find. That’s because school districts are the largest source of referrals, and they often perform the evaluations with in-house staff. Once someone graduates from secondary school, the local schools no longer have an obligation to perform or pay for the testing.
With that in mind, how can adults get testing for dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, or another learning difference? Options vary, and so does the funding source, depending on the adult’s reason for testing. Let’s look at the reasons for getting tested more closely, and then sources of testing. Often, the reason and the source are closely linked.
Reasons to get tested for dyslexia and other learning difficulties as an adult
Because the best way to get tested, and any source of referrals, is linked to the overall goal, we’ll talk about that issue first. Strictly speaking, there are many reasons why you might decide to get that testing. And for many people, there’s more than one reason to get the testing. In other words, the decision to get tested is an individual one, and it varies for everyone. With that in mind, here are major reasons to get tested as an adult.
You want a better understanding of why you struggled in school.
For many adults, getting tested for learning difficulties answers a lot of questions about their past. For instance, many people with these challenges never get tested in school, even though they struggled with academics or bad behavior. There are many reasons that this can happen. For instance, someone might have been homeschooled, so overall performance in a classroom setting wasn’t relevant. Or, the person might’ve been so intelligent that they managed to pass their courses despite the difficulties.
Here’s the thing. Many adults with learning differences felt stupid in school, especially if they didn’t know the cause of their struggles. It’s rather common for them to feel that underachievement is their fault. But as an adult, these people might want to find out the truth behind their struggles.
Your child gets diagnosed with a learning difference, and their struggles look familiar.
This one’s similar to the above. In many cases, people seek out a diagnosis because their children are diagnosed with learning differences. And along the way, they realize that they probably have one too, and look for confirmation. In these situations, parents get a unique opportunity to walk with their child through the discovery and intervention process.
You need disability accommodations to take an exam.
Sometimes, adults go back to school. Whether that’s an adult literacy course, a GED exam, or university entrance tests, you sometimes need to prove you have a disability. Although learning differences are a lifelong condition, in most cases you’ll need a report that was completed in the last 3 to 5 years. Then, you can claim special help, such as extra time for the test or alternate formats, that let you perform to your best potential. Similarly, professional examinations sometimes require accommodations, for which you’ll need recent proof of disability.
You struggle with everyday life or with work.
Another reason to get tested as an adult is when you’re struggling with the demands of everyday life, or at work. For many people, struggles at work mean that they are under a lot of stress, or that they’re in the wrong job. However, many people with learning difficulties experience significant problems because of those difficulties. It’s well known that learning differences persist into adulthood, but the degree to which this is a problem varies based on someone’s unique set of strengths and weaknesses.
Getting tested because of trouble with life and work can have several benefits. For instance, in the United States there’s a law called the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). In a nutshell, this law forces employers to give reasonable accommodations to employees who, despite being qualified for a job, struggle to perform it due to a disability. The law also makes it illegal to discriminate against someone on account of those disabilities. Similarly, both Canada and the United Kingdom require equality in employment and require accommodations.
Likewise, if a diagnostic assessment proves that your problems with everyday life are due to a learning difference, you can get help with them. For instance, you can learn how to cope with your difficulties balancing a checkbook or paying bills. While you can sometimes purchase these privately, being proven to have a disability often unlocks government funds.
You need disability benefits.
Another reason to get tested as an adult is if you have trouble holding down a job because of your disability. While milder forms of learning differences can make working difficult, if it’s severe you might struggle to remain employed. In these situations, you might qualify for government help. For example, you might be able to get Social Security benefits in the United States, or Universal Credit based on disability in the United Kingdom.
When you get an assessment for this reason, your evaluator will help document your strengths and weaknesses. But at the same time, they’ll specifically evaluate your ability to work. Depending on the level of help you need, you might get a variety of interventions (if you can work with help) or cash assistance (if you can’t).
How to get tested for dyslexia and other learning difficulties.
Whatever the reason you want, or need, to get tested, there are several ways to accomplish this. Your choices should depend on local resources, potential funding sources, and your goal for testing. No matter where you get tested, though, the first task is always to find the right professionals.
Types of professionals that are qualified to do an assessment
No matter what goals and funding sources you have, it’s always important to find someone who is qualified. After all, even if you’re “just curious,” it’s a good idea to have a report that various agencies and companies will accept. In some situations, it may be necessary for the evaluator to testify in court, such as for government benefits. Please contact us if you are in need of an assessment.
Psychiatrists, neuropsychiatrists
These professionals are medical doctors who specialize in psychiatric conditions. While learning differences aren’t considered psychiatric conditions per se, they are part of the psychological and neurological continuum that psychiatrists work with. However, most of them only evaluate for learning differences in the context of other diagnostic concerns, such as brain injuries or co-occurring disorders.
Clinical psychologists
Learning differences and developmental disorders make up a specialty within psychology. We often call it neuropsychology. These psychologists will work with learning differences, ADHD, learning disabilities/low intelligence, and autism spectrum disorders.
School or educational psychologists
These are similar to clinical psychologists, but they mostly work in educational settings. These range from preschool to universities, and adult learning or vocational programs.
Neuropsychologists
Another specialty within psychology that specializes in learning differences and developmental disorders. They also work with related issues, such as brain injuries and other conditions that can cause someone to acquire learning problems.
Psychometrists
Think of these professionals as the technician that administers testing your doctor has ordered. Psychometrists are trained to administer assessments, and work under the supervision of psychologists and psychiatrists.
Specialized teachers
Some educators receive special training in learning differences. For example, some teachers specialize in working with students who require special instruction. Many of them take courses to give these assessments, mostly in school settings.
Specially trained physicians
Finally your general practitioner might have the training to diagnose learning difficulties and similar conditions. This is most common in family practice, pediatrics, and rehabilitation specialties. However, in most cases a doctor will send patients to a specialist.
Where to find a referral to qualified professionals
No matter which types of professionals you see for a learning differences assessment, you need to find the right person. Referrals can come through several different sources, each of which may have different types of involvement in your assessment generally.
Physicians
For most of us, the family physician is a trusted source of medical information and advice. If you are concerned about difficulties with life skills or work, it’s always smart to reach out to your doctor. Typically, they will try and identify reasons for your difficulties that aren’t related to learning differences or developmental issues. For instance, someone who has a mild stroke might suddenly struggle with reading.
At the same time, if you’re pursuing government benefits, there’s a good chance that your doctor is involved. Not only will they need to help find the cause of your problems, but they might have to fill out the forms and deal with bureaucracy.
Naturally, doctors also know who can do these assessments in your area. And if they don’t personally know the right person, they’re well-equipped to find out. Making referrals is an important part of most doctor’s jobs.
Education professionals
While most of these professionals work in the schools, they are still great resources for adults. For instance, if your child is being evaluated for learning differences, you might ask the teacher who does it for adults. There’s a good chance that they will know who is good at it. In addition, some of these specially trained teachers do evaluations for adults on the side, or after retiring from teaching.
Higher education institutions
If you need an evaluation because you’re getting education or training beyond the secondary level, they’ll know where to go. Some schools will have their own staff that can perform the evaluation. Or, they’ll refer to resources in the community.
Local or national advocacy organizations
Many organizations that work with people who have these conditions will have a referral list. You should check and see what organizations operate in your area and reach out to them. They’ll also frequently provide support and advocacy.
Vocational rehabilitation or government disability offices
Finally, if you need benefits or other assistance, reach out to the local government resource for people with disabilities. In the United States, this is called Vocational Rehabilitation, and it goes by state. They’re also who you speak with to file for disability. Other countries have similar agencies.
Paying for your evaluation
Finally, there’s always an issue of payment. In most cases, medical insurance and government medical schemes don’t pay for these evaluations. That is, unless there’s evidence that the problem was acquired due to other medical issues. It never hurts to check, but you’ll probably need other funding sources.
In practice, this means that if you need an assessment because you want to further your education, or if you “just want answers,” you’ll have to pay for it yourself. The same goes if you simply want to make your employer accommodate your challenges.
However, there are situations where the government might pay for your evaluation. For example, if you apply for disability benefits, there’s a good chance the government will help. Similarly, other government programs might help with aid. Finally, charity care or sliding scale fees can sometimes help. As a rule, if you need help paying, it doesn’t help to reach out.
Getting tested for dyslexia or other learning disabilities is often rewarding. It helps answer questions about your past struggles, assess your current strengths and challenges, and opens the way for interventions that can help you. At the end of the day, with the right help, you can learn more about yourself and move forward into a bright future.
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