Learning Disability and Dyslexia Testing
The learning disability evaluation consists of an overall intelligence battery, such as the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-IV or the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-III, plus achievement tests which delineate the underlying cognitive problems, such as the Woodcock-Johnson Battery-III.
Dyslexia is the most common learning disability, comprising about 85 percent of people who have a learning disability. At The Brain Clinic, all learning disability evaluations include
- comprehensive reading assessment
- examination of the underlying cognitive processes
- phonological processing
- memory functioning
- processing speed.
Other forms of learning disability exist, and assessment can be tailored to accommodate those. For example, a nonverbal learning disability is often associated with poor math and visual reasoning abilities as compared to the person’s overall intelligence. Usually additional testing usually needs to be done in these cases.
What does a Learning Disability Evaluation Cost?
There are different levels of learning disability evaluations, each with a different price. If the testing is done by Dr. Thomas or Senior staff, the fee is $225 per hour, and the total cost for the testing and the report is approximately $3500. This is a Level 4 Evaluation. The length of face-to-face testing time is about 8 hours. Sometimes additional testing is recommended if the situation warrants it. For example, if an assessment of nonverbal or mathematics learning disability is needed, another 2 hours should be added to the above assessments. The fee would increase accordingly.
Moderate Cost Evaluations: There are three levels of moderate cost learning disability evaluations. These are presented in the table below. Please note that these levels are currently only available for those 16 years and older. These evaluations are designed to be for those cases that are very simple and straightforward-- usually for those needing current documentation for known learning problems. Level 4 is the only current available evaluation for any under the age of 16 years old.
| Level | What this includes | Cost |
| 1 | Screening for learning disability. This battery is a very brief screening assessment designed to determine if a person has a learning disability in the shortest amount of time got those over 16 yrs of age. The Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS) is not used, but a shorter IQ battery is used. Some clusters from the Woodcock-Johnson are used, plus a reading test. If the WAIS III or IV is required, Level 1 is not the assessment to do. Testing is done by a graduate student or a recent Ph.D. | $700 |
| 2 | Full 8 hours of Testing, Short Report. This includes the Wechsler Intelligence Scale, most of the Woodcock-Johnson Cognitive and Achievement Batteries, plus at least one timed reading test. The report is two pages long. Medical and developmental history and symptom reporting is not included. Testing is done by a graduate student or a recent Ph.D. | $1200 |
| 3 | Full 8 hours of Testing, Detailed Report. This includes Level 2 plus a long report, detailing the tests and clusters of tests, as well as the medical and developmental history and symptom reporting. This evaluation will satisfy most colleges and some testing organizations. Testing is done by a graduate student or a recent Ph.D. | $1700 |
| 4 | Full 8 hours of Testing, Detailed Report, done by Dr. Thomas or senior licensed staff. This includes the 8 hours of testing in Level 3 and a detailed report, but the testing is done by Dr. Thomas or senior staff. For people who want senior licensed staff to do the actual testing, this is the one to do. This level is required for LSAT, MCAT, and GMAT. | $3400 (est.) |
Moderate cost assessments are done by a graduate student under the supervision of a senior staff member. Evaluations for accommodations in school or for some standardized tests cost $1700. The report for this level (3) includes a medical, educational and developmental history, which is to be provided by the patient or parent, and is described on the Extended Time Evaluation Requirements page. In addition, a detailed analysis of the strengths and weaknesses are presented which is necessary in order to gain accommodations for school or many standardized tests situations.
The $1200 evaluation is based on 8 hours of testing and an interview; it includes a brief 2 to 3 page written report, with all scores attached. Evaluations for accommodations in school or for standardized tests usually require a more elaborate report and cost $1700. This Level 2 ($1200) version does not include the medical, educational and developmental history, which is usually required by organizations granting accommodations; this is described on the Extended Time Evaluation Requirements page.
Testing usually takes about 8 hours (for Levels 2 and above), but can be longer in some cases. The exception is Level 1 testing, which is usually about 4 to 5 hours. If a person is late, or tests slowly, extra time is billed at $100 per hour if the testing is done by the graduate student. Report writing is an additional 7 hours for Levels 2, 3 and 4. The report can take a few weeks to be completed. Complete payment is due at the final session. A $500 deposit is necessary to reserve the initial testing session.
Some institutions require that the doctoral level personnel do the testing. It is your responsibility to find out if that is the case for your situation.
If the testing is done by Dr. Thomas and Senior staff, the fee is $225 per hour. The length of time is still the same, about 15 hours of professional time, of which 8 hours is actual face-to-face testing time. Sometimes additional testing is recommended if the situation warrants it. For example, if an assessment of nonverbal or mathematics learning disability is needed, another 2 hours should be added to the above assessments. The fee would increase accordingly.
These rates may change at any time without notice.