When a bright student is struggling academically, it can leave students and parents feeling overwhelmed, frustrated, and discouraged. This is especially true when effort, tutoring, and additional support are not fully closing the gap. Sometimes students begin to wonder if they are simply not trying hard enough, when the reality may be that they have learning differences. They may benefit greatly from additional support that aligns with how their brain processes information.
Psychoeducational testing helps identify how someone learns, where their cognitive strengths lie, and whether specific processing weaknesses may be contributing to academic struggles. At Nashville Psych, our psychoeducational evaluations are designed not only to provide diagnostic clarity, but also to help students and families better understand the “why” behind persistent learning challenges.
Our evaluations assess for learning disabilities including dyslexia, dyscalculia, dysgraphia, and other specific learning disorders. They also consider other factors that may impact academic performance, such as ADHD, anxiety, executive functioning difficulties, and emotional stress. The goal is to provide a clearer understanding of how a student learns best. This allows us to offer thoughtful recommendations that support both academic success and emotional well-being.
Who Benefits from Psychoeducational Testing?
Students and adults often pursue psychoeducational testing when:
- Academic performance does not seem to match effort, intelligence, or potential.
- Reading, writing, spelling, or math skills lag behind other abilities.
- Teachers or parents have ongoing concerns about learning, attention, or processing.
- A student may need accommodations through an IEP, 504 Plan, or college disability services.
- Testing accommodations are needed for the SAT, ACT, AP exams, GRE, LSAT, MCAT, bar exam, medical boards, or other professional licensing exams.
- Previous testing is outdated and updated documentation is needed.
- ADHD, anxiety, or emotional concerns may be affecting school performance and it is unclear what is contributing most significantly to the difficulties.
What We Assess
A comprehensive psychoeducational evaluation looks at multiple aspects of cognitive, academic, and emotional functioning. The goal is to develop a fuller understanding of a student’s learning profile. Depending on the referral concerns, evaluations may assess different things. They may include intellectual functioning (IQ), reading, writing, spelling, math, memory, language processing, executive functioning, attention, and learning efficiency.
We also carefully consider whether emotional factors, ADHD, anxiety, depression, autism spectrum presentations, or stress may be contributing to academic struggles or overlapping with learning-related concerns. The goal is to better understand how a student learns, where their strengths lie, and what supports may be most helpful moving forward.
Common Diagnoses We Evaluate For
Our psychoeducational evaluations commonly assess for dyslexia (specific learning disorder with impairment in reading), dyscalculia (specific learning disorder with impairment in mathematics), dysgraphia (specific learning disorder with impairment in written expression), and other specific learning disorders. We also frequently evaluate for co-occurring ADHD and learning disorders, which commonly overlap and can significantly impact academic functioning together.
In some cases, students may not meet full diagnostic criteria for a learning disability but may still demonstrate meaningful cognitive processing weaknesses, executive functioning difficulties, or attentional challenges that affect school performance. A comprehensive evaluation can help clarify these patterns and guide appropriate recommendations and supports.
Why Comprehensive Testing Matters
Many schools provide academic screenings or school-based evaluations, but these assessments are often narrower in scope and focused specifically on eligibility for educational services under state and federal guidelines. A comprehensive private psychoeducational evaluation allows for a more in-depth understanding of the cognitive and emotional processes contributing to a student’s difficulties.
Rather than simply documenting that a student is struggling, the evaluation helps explain why those struggles are happening and what kinds of support are most likely to help. It can also distinguish learning disabilities from other concerns that may affect academic functioning, including ADHD, anxiety, depression, stress, or gaps in instruction.
Our goal is not simply to generate a diagnosis or accommodations letter. We aim to help students and families feel more informed, supported, and empowered with a clearer understanding of how the student learns best.
What You Receive
Following the evaluation, you will receive a comprehensive written report integrating all findings from the assessment process. The report includes diagnostic clarification regarding any learning disabilities, ADHD, or co-occurring conditions identified, along with a detailed profile of cognitive strengths and areas of difficulty.
You will also receive individualized recommendations for school accommodations, including language suitable for 504 Plans, IEPs, and college disability services, as well as recommendations for testing accommodations that meet documentation requirements for the SAT, ACT, GRE, and other graduate or professional exams. Recommendations may also include tutoring approaches, instructional strategies, executive functioning supports, assistive technology, or additional interventions that may benefit the student academically and emotionally.
Families then meet with the psychologist who conducts the assessment for a feedback session to review the findings together. This is a great time to ask questions, discuss recommendations, and talk about next steps in a collaborative and supportive way.
Who Conducts These Evaluations
Psychoeducational evaluations at Nashville Psych are conducted by our doctoral-level psychologists, including Daniel Goldstein, Neva Murray, Nisha Bhatt, and Jenna Lehmann. Advanced assessment trainees may also participate in the process under the close supervision of a licensed psychologist.
We understand that families often arrive feeling worried, overwhelmed, or uncertain about what the evaluation may uncover. Our team approaches the process with care, curiosity, and a commitment to helping students feel understood rather than judged.
Process & Timeline
The evaluation process begins with a free consultation call to better understand your concerns, answer questions, and determine whether psychoeducational testing feels like the right fit. From there, parents or adult clients participate in a clinical interview, followed by testing sessions that typically last between two and four hours and are often split across multiple appointments to help reduce fatigue and allow for more accurate assessment. The process also includes rating scales and collateral information from parents, teachers, or other relevant supports when appropriate.
Once testing is complete, the evaluator carefully integrates all findings into a comprehensive written report, which is typically finalized within 8-10 weeks after contacting us. Families then participate in a feedback session to review the results, discuss recommendations, and better understand the student’s learning profile and next steps moving forward.
Fees & Insurance
Psychoeducational evaluations are provided on a fee-for-service basis. While we are not in-network with insurance companies, we can provide a superbill that clients may submit for possible out-of-network reimbursement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does my child need testing if the school already completed an evaluation?
Sometimes. School evaluations are designed primarily to determine eligibility for educational services and accommodations under specific legal criteria. A comprehensive psychoeducational evaluation is often broader in scope and can provide more detailed diagnostic clarification, deeper cognitive analysis, and recommendations that extend beyond school eligibility decisions.
Can adults be evaluated for dyslexia or other learning disabilities?
Yes. We regularly evaluate adults seeking accommodations for graduate school, professional licensing exams, workplace settings, or simply greater understanding of lifelong academic struggles. Many adults discover learning disabilities later in life after years of compensating for difficulties that were never formally identified.
Will testing agencies accept this evaluation for accommodations?
Yes. Our reports are written to meet documentation requirements for major testing agencies including College Board, ACT, and ETS. We follow current guidelines for accommodation documentation whenever accommodations are being requested.
How recent does testing need to be for accommodations?
Most schools, colleges, and testing agencies require psychoeducational testing completed within the past three years. If previous testing is older than that, updated testing is often necessary.
Schedule a Consultation
If you have been wondering whether a learning disability, ADHD, or processing difficulty may be contributing to ongoing academic struggles, psychoeducational testing can provide greater clarity and direction. We are happy to answer questions and help you determine whether an evaluation feels like the right next step for your student or family.
Schedule A Consultation Now.
