How To Find Free Testing for Learning Disabilities
Learn how to access free testing for learning disabilities near you and how much it costs to get a private evaluation.
If you are concerned that your child may have a learning disability, you can access free testing for learning disabilities near you through your local public school.
The process of having your child evaluated for learning disabilities, meeting with the school, interpreting test results, and deciding how to help your child can be daunting. And it's one countless parents will have to navigate. According to the National Center for Learning Disabilities (NCLD), over 28 million school-aged children in the US have a specific learning disability (SLD).
While the process of getting a formal diagnosis for a learning disability can be overwhelming, the good news is that it is possible to access free testing for learning disabilities near you.
How To Find Free Testing for Learning Disabilities Near You
The most straightforward way to have your child evaluated for a learning disability is through your local public school. Public schools must provide free testing for learning disabilities for children in their district—even if the child doesn't attend the school—although the process and evaluators may differ from school to school.
"The school can evaluate your child for free," explains Amanda Morin of Understood, a non-profit dedicated to serving the millions of families of kids who learn and think differently.
Outside of free testing for learning disabilities, the other option is to hire a private evaluator for a formal diagnosis. Morin says that a private evaluation can cost between $1,000 to $5,000, depending on where you live and the specialist doing the evaluation. For instance, a neuropsychologist costs more than a child psychologist, and you may have to travel or take off work, which will add to the expense, she adds.
Read on to learn about the options for obtaining free testing for learning disabilities evaluations, independent educational evaluations (IEEs) at the school's expense, or out-of-pocket IEEs.
Who Is at Risk for Learning Disabilities?
Anyone can have a learning disability, but some factors can place a child at a higher risk of having a learning disability. For instance, the National Institutes of Health identifies the following as potential risk factors for learning disabilities:
Genetics
Poverty
Low birth weight
Exposure to lead
Poor nutrition
Exposure to drugs or alcohol during pregnancy
Experiencing trauma
Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) can also predispose kids to learning disabilities or behavioral challenges. Research found that children with four or more ACEs were 32 times more likely to experience a learning disability.
ACEs fall into seven categories:
Psychological abuse
Physical abuse
Sexual abuse
Living with someone who misuses substances
Living with someone with a mental illness
Witnessing domestic violence
Having a household member in jail or prison
According to the research organization Child Trends, Black and Latinx children are more likely to experience ACEs than their white and Asian peers. Further, the experience of racism itself can have toxic effects, leading some researchers to recommend including experiencing racism as a chronic stressor when evaluating ACEs.
Race may also play a role in how learning disabilities are identified and treated—or not. For instance, according to the US Department of Education, Black children are more likely to be identified with an "emotional disturbance or intellectual disability" rather than a speech or language impairment.
Related: How the Special Education Teacher Shortage Affects Black Disabled Students
Teacher Referral vs. Parent Request for Testing
The primary way that learning disabilities are identified at school is through a teacher referral, which can be a challenge for obvious reasons.
"Many teachers are skilled at spotting children falling behind, and schools have strategies to keep kids from falling through the cracks. Yet, the onus is largely on the caregiver to step forward when a child is struggling," says Morin.
"There's no trigger that says if a student's test scores drop, it's an automatic evaluation," she explains. "Instead, the trigger for special education testing in every state is either parent or teacher referral."
And of course, depending on resources, both caregivers and parents could miss signs that a learning disability evaluation is necessary.
"Kids in poorer school systems have less access to resources like technology and tutoring that can help them [and their parents]," writes Ellen Braaten, PhD, director of the Learning and Emotional Assessment Program (LEAP) at Massachusetts General Hospital and assistant professor of psychology at Harvard Medical School, in her book, Bright Kids Who Can't Keep Up.
That said, kids in high-income districts can go also unidentified and unsupported. "Richer schools don't have the infrastructure to identify kids who are struggling," adds Dr. Braaten, "because they're used to parents stepping in to get kids what they need."
If you suspect your child has a learning disability and your child's teacher hasn't referred your child for an evaluation, it's up to you to approach the school to ask for testing. You can start with your child's teacher or ask the office, a counselor, or the administration about how to access a learning disability evaluation.
Having a learning disability, especially if it's undetected and untreated, can place children at a higher risk of behavioral issues and mental health conditions like anxiety, depression, and even substance misuse. On the other hand, students with early diagnosis and adequate support are more likely to succeed in school. Morin encourages parents: "Trust your instinct if you think something's not adding up with your child."
While testing for learning disabilities is free to access at your local public school, cost isn't the only consideration when it comes to overcoming challenges in the testing process. Job and family demands, non-native English-speaking skills, and other socio-economic roadblocks all play a role in how easy or challenging learning disability testing is for families.
Advantages of Free School-Based Testing for Learning Disabilities
What route you take for having your child evaluated for a learning disability is up to you. You will want to consider what resources your local school has, how old your child is, and what concerns you have about their behavior or limitations to decide on the best strategy for testing.
If you do decide to use your local public school for free testing for learning disabilities, there may be some advantages, in addition to the fact that it's free to you.
Familiarity and continuity
Your child may know their evaluator and a known evaluator can help kids feel comfortable. Furthermore, "the testing itself is in a familiar location. Plus, the people doing the evaluation may be the same ones who are giving your child services after the evaluation," explains Dr. Braaten.
Efficacy
The school evaluation might also be faster than a private company's. Once you sign your consent, evaluators must follow specific guidelines, including meeting the federally-imposed deadline. (The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) sets a deadline of 60 days, and states can set their own timeframe within those boundaries.)
Advantages of Independent Educational Evaluations (IEEs)
While a school evaluation can often be adequate, sometimes an IEE is warranted. An IEE is an independent educational evaluation that tests for learning disabilities separately from a public school's assessment. IEEs can cost upwards of $5,000, depending on where you live and the specific evaluation involved.
Anyone can get an IEE for their child and in some cases, it will be free. For instance, if you disagree with your child's evaluation by the public school, you have the right to request that the school pay for an IEE with another agency. However, you can only have one free IEE, and there may be restrictions placed on it.
Here are a few reasons why an IEE may be right for your child.
You want a specific diagnosis
An IEE can be helpful if want to know more about your child's disability than the school can provide. "The school is looking at identifying issues holding your child back in the classroom versus providing a diagnosis," says Morin.
"For example, if a child is struggling with attention issues, the school evaluation will determine whether those attention issues warrant special education services within the school. Yet, a private evaluator can determine whether the child has ADHD," writes Dr. Braaten. That's because schools can not provide diagnoses—only a health care provider, like a physician or psychiatrist, can.
"It's an important distinction," Dr. Braaten adds. "The school will only recommend services they can already provide, and their budgets constrain them. But a private evaluator has no limitations. They look at what the child needs to not only to get by in school, but to thrive."
Schools use nonspecific language, and Dr. Braaten says she often sees parents in her clinic who've gone years without knowing their child has dyslexia or another disorder. Putting a name to an experience can help kids and their parents understand their disability and how to work with it.
Having a diagnosis can also lead you to support groups, where kids can make friends with others who share their disability, and parents can network with other caregivers to share resources and camaraderie.
You want a second opinion
Another reason you might go with outside testing is if you disagree with the school's test results. Under IDEA, you have the right to request a private evaluation at the district's expense if you disagree with the school-based evaluation.
"The main reason parents pursue this route is if they believe the school's testing wasn't thorough enough," says Morin. "This is why it's helpful to be as specific as you can before testing begins."
Before Getting an IEE
Under IDEA, a public school must consider outside testing results, but the independent testing must meet the school's criteria for evaluating a student for special education services. For that reason, it's best to ask the school ahead of time what tests they want to see and how they feel about using outside results to assess the child's classroom needs.
Other Options for Low-Cost Testing
If you don't qualify for an IEE at public expense, or you don't have the resources to pay out of pocket, don't give up. You may be able to find low-cost options by doing a little bit of homework.
Here are a few ways you may be able to find a lower-cost option for an IEE.
Local universities and teaching hospitals
Residents at universities and hospitals may offer free evaluations as part of their training. And teaching hospitals may test your child for research. Check with the psychology, psychiatry, or neurology departments. For tutoring, check with the education department.
The Learning Disability Association of America (LDA)
The LDA website offers resources that may help you find low-cost evaluations and tutoring.
Health insurance
Check with your health insurance ahead of time. Some plans will cover all or part of the testing. Dr. Braaten says to approach your insurance with medical terminologies.
For example, if you suspect memory issues, premature birth complications, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), ADHD, or another disability, name them. Your insurance may cover the testing as part of a specific suspected diagnosis or in connection to any other medical conditions your child may have.
For instance, if they have tested positive for lead or have any other risk factors, be sure to talk with a doctor about options for testing.
Consider a hybrid approach
You can request the school do some tests, such as those involved with occupational or speech therapy. Then, you can see a private evaluator for neuropsychological testing.
Discuss school testing results with a neuropsychologist
Dr. Braaten says many practices are offering this service to help parents keep the cost lower. The practitioner can review the school's results, meet with your child, and give you their professional opinion.
Ask the school for recommendations
Under the IDEA, any public agency must provide resources where you can obtain an IEE. It may be helpful to check with the school if they know of any low-cost testing options or free testing for learning disabilities near you as a starting point.
Key Takeaways
Parents and caregivers can request a free learning disability evaluation for their child through their local public school district, even if the child doesn't attend that school. Another option is hiring a private company for a formal evaluation, which can range in costs from an insurance deductible to thousands of dollars. Start with your school to find resources for learning disability testing near you.
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