Learning Disability and Reading Comprehension Assessments
Nelson Denny Reading Comprehension Test
SASS offers the Nelson Denny Reading Test to assess reading skills including vocabulary,
reading comprehension, and reading fluency (speed). Students may self-refer for a
reading assessment by contacting the SASS office for a consultation. After the assessment,
students will receive recommendations and suggestions for improving reading skills.
We will discuss reading improvement strategies based on assessment results and may
suggest enrollment in GUID 143 for a more thorough assessment.
GUID 143: Individualized Assessment and Academic Planning
Guidance 143 is a 0.5 unit, pass/no pass course designed to provide students with
an in-depth, individualized assessment to determine the presence of a learning disability.
Even students who are tested and found to not have a learning disability receive valuable
information about their learning style and strategies to best enhance learning. Students
who qualify as having a learning disability will qualify for accommodations through
SASS.
GUID 143: Learning Disability FAQs
A learning disability is a neurological condition which affects how individuals with average or above average intelligence take in, retain, recall and/or express information. Like interference on the radio or a fuzzy TV picture, incoming or outgoing information may become scrambled as it travels between the eye or ear and the brain, or out into the world.
Testing is a way to determine learning differences that cannot be explained by other conditions or circumstances. We usually use two tests, an ability test and an achievement test. We compare scores within the tests and between them.
No. The testing model we follow determines eligibility for services only. A diagnosis is a determination by a licensed professional. You may take your test results to a licensed educational psychologist for further evaluation, but if you need a diagnosis for some reason you may want to start with a psychologist or educational psychologist.
Yes and maybe. An eligibility determination from one of our LD Specialists is good at any California Community College. Other schools may – or may not – accept our results or testing. Most schools have their own criteria for determining eligibility. We cannot guarantee other institutions will accept our test results, but some have.
Testing can help you understand your educational strengths and weaknesses and can help you develop strategies to overcome academic challenges.
15 hours: 6.5 hours of assessment with the Learning Disability Specialist, and 8.5 hours of tutoring in the LIGHT Center.
Dyslexia, Dyscalculia, and Dysgraphia are kinds of learning disabilities. Testing can help identify your specific issue. Learning Disability testing does not evaluate general psychological conditions but learning disabilities are often found in individuals with those conditions. Also, for instance, having a learning disability can cause anxiety about school or testing. LD testing can help us understand what is going on and address it.
All students are encouraged to access the LIGHT Center to receive one-on-one specialized support. Students can receive tutoring and/or work with a specialist to develop academic skills and strategies to overcome challenges they may be facing.
Resources:
How to describe your learning disability to your instructors (PDF)
Math Learning Disabilities
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- This article provides an excellent overview of math learning problems for students with math-related disabilities. It presents numerous approaches for teaching specific skills for specific learning problems.
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- This overview of dyscalculia describes the learning disability of dyscalculia, its effects, how it manifests itself in different stages of life, warning signs, how to identify it, and how to manage it.
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- Often referred to as dyscalculia, math-related learning disabilities are complex and
require intervention by skillful teachers to help students achieve success. We’ve
gathered informative resources here for both parents and educators regarding learning
disabilities in mathematics
- Often referred to as dyscalculia, math-related learning disabilities are complex and
require intervention by skillful teachers to help students achieve success. We’ve
gathered informative resources here for both parents and educators regarding learning
disabilities in mathematics