Dyslexia & Learning Disability Testing in Jackson, MS

What to Expect With Your Dyslexia or Learning Disability Evaluation

1. Clinical interview and review of developmental and educational history

2. Standardized cognitive testing to evaluate reasoning, working memory, processing speed, and related abilities

3. Comprehensive academic testing in reading, writing, spelling, and mathematics as appropriate

4. Assessment of reading fluency, decoding, phonological processing, or other specific learning skills when indicated

5. Evaluation of attention, anxiety, emotional functioning, and other factors that may affect academic performance

6. Review of school records, previous evaluations, intervention history, and collateral information when available

7. Comprehensive written report with diagnostic conclusions, test results, and individualized recommendations

8. Feedback session explaining the findings and practical next steps

Why Comprehensive Testing Matters

Dyslexia and other learning disabilities cannot be diagnosed accurately through grades, classroom performance, or a brief reading screener alone. A student may perform poorly because of a specific learning disorder, ADHD, anxiety, inconsistent instruction, limited educational opportunity, or a combination of factors.

A comprehensive psychological or psychoeducational evaluation examines how the person thinks and learns, directly measures current academic skills, and considers the developmental and educational history surrounding the problem. This broader approach helps determine not only whether a learning disability is present, but also which skills are affected and what type of intervention or accommodation is most appropriate.

Dyslexia, ADHD, or Both?

Dyslexia and ADHD can both interfere with reading and school performance, but they are different conditions.

A student with dyslexia may remain focused yet continue to struggle with decoding, reading fluency, word recognition, or spelling. A student with ADHD may have adequate reading skills but lose focus, skip lines, rush, forget instructions, or fail to complete assignments consistently.

Some students have both ADHD and a learning disability. Comprehensive testing helps distinguish among these possibilities so that recommendations address the actual source of the difficulty rather than relying on assumptions.

Serving the Magnolia State

LeFleur Behavioral Health provides comprehensive dyslexia and learning-disability testing for clients throughout Jackson, Mississippi, and surrounding communities, including Madison, Ridgeland, Flowood, Brandon, and the greater Central Mississippi area.

Our evaluations are designed for children, adolescents, college students, and adults who need accurate diagnostic clarification and practical recommendations for school, college, employment, or standardized testing.

We regularly work with families, schools, universities, physicians, therapists, and other professionals who rely on formal psychological and psychoeducational assessment to guide intervention and accommodation planning. Each evaluation is conducted by a doctoral-level psychologist using nationally standardized cognitive and academic measures selected according to the individual referral question.

Appointments are available in person at our Jackson-area location. Portions of the interview and feedback process may be completed through telehealth when clinically appropriate.

Dyslexia and Learning Disability Testing FAQs

What is the difference between dyslexia and a learning disability?

Dyslexia is a commonly used term for a learning disorder involving persistent difficulty with word reading, decoding, reading fluency, or spelling. Learning disabilities may also affect written expression or mathematics.

Can a student have dyslexia and still make good grades?

Yes. Strong intelligence, parental support, tutoring, extra time, memorization, and unusually high effort can help a student compensate. The evaluation considers both academic performance and the amount of support, time, and stress required to maintain it.

Is school testing the same as a private psychological evaluation?

Not always. School evaluations primarily determine educational eligibility and the need for school-based services. A private evaluation conducted by a clinical psychologist may provide broader diagnostic clarification, individualized testing, differential diagnosis, and documentation for college or standardized-test accommodations.

What tests are used to evaluate dyslexia?

The specific battery depends on the referral question. Testing may examine cognitive abilities, word reading, decoding, reading comprehension, reading fluency, spelling, written expression, phonological processing, rapid naming, memory, attention, and emotional functioning.

Will I receive a written report?

Yes. The evaluation includes a comprehensive written report explaining the history, tests administered, results, diagnostic conclusions, and individualized recommendations. A feedback appointment is also provided to review the findings.

Can testing help with an IEP or Section 504 Plan?

A comprehensive evaluation can provide schools with objective information about diagnosis, academic weaknesses, functional limitations, and recommended supports. The school determines eligibility and makes the final decision regarding services or accommodations.

Can testing support college or standardized-test accommodations?

When clinically appropriate, the evaluation may provide formal documentation supporting requests for extended time, reduced-distraction testing, assistive technology, audiobooks, or other accommodations. The college or testing organization makes the final approval decision.

How long does learning-disability testing take?

The process generally includes an intake interview, several hours of testing, record review, scoring and interpretation, a written report, and a feedback appointment. The exact time depends on the person’s age, the complexity of the concerns, and the number of academic areas being evaluated.