Assessment of Possible Learning Disabilities or ADD/ADHD

Achieving success in college can be one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences for students who have high academic goals. For some students, college may be the first time that they have encountered academic difficulties, or it may be a time when struggles that were manageable in high school or earlier now seem insurmountable. As a result, students, their parents, or instructors may question whether students who encounter these challenges might be dealing with a learning disability or other conditions such as Attention Deficit Disorder or Attention Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder.

In other cases, students may recall having been diagnosed with some type of learning disability or ADD/ADHD at an early age, but unfortunately, no records exist that document how that condition affects them now.

UDSS frequently receives inquiries about how to “get tested for a learning disability” or ADD/ADHD. Very limited, or no resources exist on campus for these types of assessments. Therefore, UDSS has compiled this information sheet to assist students seek out evaluations in the local community.

What follows are:

• A list of local psychologists who conduct the type of assessment necessary to evaluate for the presence of a learning disability and/or ADD/ADHD; and

• Tips on communicating with professionals who conduct evaluations. We hope you find this information helpful as you make decisions regarding assessment and requests for services.

Local Psychologists

Mark J. Watt, Ph.D., J.D.
526 Regency Drive
745-5414

Judith K. Olson, Ph.D.
526 Regency Dr.
745-8475

The Psychology Clinic
2020 Grand, Suite 500
755-1000

Gay Deitrich-MacLean, Ph.D.
2020 Grand, Suite 450
755-1982

Frances Price, Ph.D.
2020 Grand, Suite 450
745-3668

Douglas J. Scrambler, Ph. D.

507 S. 4th Street, Suite 101

745-3668

Selecting a Professional for Assessment

Selecting a professional to evaluate your strengths and weaknesses is an important decision.

Here are some tips to assist in the selection:

Selecting a qualified professional:

• Ask what his or her credentials are.

• Ask what experience he or she has had in working with adults with learning disabilities or ADD/ADHD.

• Ask if he or she has ever worked with University Disability Support Services at UW or with the agency to which you are applying for services.

Paying for an Assessment:

Evaluating the status of your academic difficulties and attempting to determine the cause requires a comprehensive approach. You may find that the costs of an assessment to be prohibitive.

Here are some suggestions to help minimize the cost:

• Check your medical insurance policy to see if an evaluation is covered. The policy may be a convenient means of covering some of the costs.

• Ask the professional if they offer a sliding scale for fee payment. That option is occasionally available to assist people with limited income (e.g. students).

• Consider applying for assistance from the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation. DVR is a state agency that assists people who have disabilities that may affect employment options. To determine eligibility, DVR often facilitates medical and psychological evaluations, at no cost to the applicant. The Laramie DVR office is located at 710 Garfield, Suite 110; their phone number is 745-3160.

Working with the professional:

• Take a copy of the documentation guidelines to the professional (attached).

• Encourage him or her to clarify questions that they may have about the guidelines with University Disability Support Services.

• Part of the process will be evaluating whether it is likely that you have a learning disability or ADD/ADHD. The professional should be able to give you some idea as to whether an evaluation would be appropriate or not. They may also be able to connect you to other appropriate resources for assistance.

• The professional will ask you questions about your medical, educational, and personal history. Be prepared to be thorough with information the professional requests from you.

• Know that professionals must maintain confidentiality with respect to your records and testing information. If you want copies of the assessment report sent to University Disability Support Services, for example, you will have to sign a form with the professional giving them permission to release that report to UDSS.

As a follow-up to the assessment conducted:

• Request a written copy of the assessment report. Some professionals will provide a copy; others may prefer to provide you with a verbal summary of the report. This is often dependent on the type of information gathered in the assessment.

• Request the opportunity to discuss the results and recommendations. Be sure you are comfortable with your level of understanding of the diagnosis; remember the professional is there to help you.

• Request additional resources or referrals if you need them.

• Ask that copies of the assessment report be sent to agencies (such as University Disability Support Services) if the assessment determines that you have a learning disability or ADD/ADHD and therefore might qualify for services from that agency.

• If the assessment results in a diagnosis of a learning disability or ADD/ADHD, return to UDSS, SEO (330 Knight Hall) and complete an application for services.

• Maintain a personal file of your records and reports.

• The emotions associated with learning you have a learning disability or ADD/ADHD, etc. can range from relief to dismay. Seek support from others (including counseling) and be patient with yourself as you adjust to this new development in your life.

• Remember that there are many support services available at UW to assist you with any academic difficulties you may have, regardless of whether or not you have a learning disability or ADD/ADHD. Be sure to check out options for tutoring, test-taking and study skills strategies (Academic Services, SEO), counseling (University Counseling Center), and writing assistance (Writing Center).

Disclaimer: UDSS provides the above information solely to assist students in their efforts to seek out assessment for possible learning disabilities or ADD/ADHD. UDSS does not specifically endorse any individual psychologist listed or not listed on this fact sheet, nor does UDSS take responsibility for the actions of any professional listed.

The Tips for Selecting a Professional for Assessment are adapted from “Guidelines for Documentation of a Learning Disability in Adolescents and Adults” Association on Higher Education and Disability (AHEAD), July 1997.

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