Although it is likely that standardized testing will continue to play a role in the special education evaluation process, recent IDEA regulatory changes include an alternative to testing and aptitude achievement discrepancies for diagnosing learning disabilities. Response to intervention (RTI) is a new way to determine if a child has a learning disability and needs special education services. RTI is a process that gets help to students faster and eliminates the need for kids to "fail" before they get individualized help. Learn more about response to intervention for diagnosis of learning disabilities.
Early Diagnosis of Learning Disabilities and Diagnostic Labels
Early diagnosis is complex and requires careful consideration of several important issues:
- Early identification is important because early intervention can dramatically increase your child's chances for success in school.
- Diagnosis of young children is challenging because they grow at different rates. Some change rapidly during early developmental stages.
- Differences among students' language, cultural, and socialization skills at this age during the preschool years are to be expected, and they can also negatively affect assessment scores.
- Assessing intelligence too early can yield a general intelligence score that underestimates the child's true abilities.
