Clear answers for difficulties with reading, writing and mathematics
When a capable child continues to struggle despite effort, tutoring or classroom intervention, a comprehensive evaluation can help explain why.
Bright Future Psychology provides individualized learning disability and dyslexia testing for children and teens in Naples and Southwest Florida. Evaluations can identify learning strengths and challenges, clarify diagnoses, and provide practical recommendations for school and home.
Appointments are typically available within 1–2 weeks, and reports are generally completed about one week after testing.
A learning disability evaluation may be helpful when a child or teenager experiences:
• Persistent difficulty learning to read or sound out unfamiliar words
• Slow, inaccurate or effortful reading
• Weak reading comprehension
• Frequent spelling errors
• Difficulty organizing or expressing ideas in writing
• Problems with handwriting or written-work production
• Trouble learning math facts or completing calculations
• Difficulty understanding math concepts or solving word problems
• Academic performance that does not appear to reflect the child’s abilities
• Continued struggles despite tutoring or intervention
• Increasing anxiety, frustration or avoidance related to schoolwork
• Difficulty completing tests or assignments within time limits
• A need for updated documentation when requesting services or accommodations
Learning disabilities can occur alongside ADHD, autism, anxiety, executive-functioning difficulties or giftedness. A comprehensive evaluation helps clarify which factors are contributing and how they interact.
We assess word reading, decoding, phonological processing, reading fluency, spelling and comprehension. Testing can help determine whether a child meets diagnostic criteria for a specific learning disorder involving reading, commonly called dyslexia.
Evaluation may examine spelling, sentence construction, written expression, handwriting, writing fluency and the ability to organize ideas. Findings can help identify written-language difficulties, including dysgraphia when supported by the complete evaluation.
Testing may examine calculation, math fluency, number sense, quantitative reasoning and applied problem-solving. The evaluation can help identify patterns associated with dyscalculia or another mathematics-related learning disorder.
We examine attention, working memory, processing speed, organization, planning, inhibition, task initiation and self-monitoring. This helps distinguish a learning disability from ADHD or identify when both are present.
Comprehensive evaluations examine reasoning, cognitive processing, learning and memory. Understanding how a child processes and retains information helps explain why some academic tasks are more difficult than others.
Anxiety, confidence, frustration, mood and behavior can affect learning and school participation. Rating scales and clinical information help us understand the whole child rather than considering academic scores in isolation.
The appropriate evaluation depends on the child’s history, concerns and purpose for testing.
Targeted Learning Disability Evaluation
A targeted evaluation focuses primarily on a specific academic concern, such as possible dyslexia, dysgraphia or dyscalculia. It may be appropriate when the referral question is narrow and there are no significant concerns involving attention, executive functioning, memory, behavior or emotional functioning.
Comprehensive Psychoeducational Evaluation
A comprehensive evaluation provides a broader picture of the child’s cognitive, academic, attention, executive-functioning, memory, processing, behavioral and emotional functioning.
Our comprehensive evaluations include:
• Individual academic-achievement and learning-disability testing
• Comprehensive cognitive testing, usually using the WISC-V or an age-appropriate alternative
• D-KEFS performance-based executive-functioning measures
• CPT-3 or an age-appropriate continuous-performance measure
• Executive-function rating scales, such as the BRIEF-2 or CEFI
• Behavioral and emotional rating scales, such as the BASC-3
• Cognitive-processing and memory testing
• Parent interview and developmental history
• Teacher information and rating scales when available
• Review of relevant school records, interventions and previous testing
• Additional measures selected according to the child’s needs and referral questions
A comprehensive evaluation is often most helpful when concerns involve several areas, when previous interventions have not resolved the difficulties, or when ADHD, anxiety, giftedness or another condition may be affecting academic performance.
Targeted Learning Disability Evaluation — $1,700
Focused assessment of a specific academic concern, such as possible dyslexia, dysgraphia or dyscalculia. Appropriate when the referral question is narrow and broader concerns are not present.
Comprehensive Psychoeducational Evaluation — $3,500
Includes assessment of academic achievement, cognitive abilities, attention, executive functioning, cognitive processing, memory, and behavioral or emotional factors. This option is often most appropriate when concerns are complex, involve several areas, or require differential diagnosis.
The psychologist will recommend the appropriate evaluation after discussing the referral questions and history. Any additional services or fees will be explained before testing begins.
No single test determines whether a child has a learning disability. Each evaluation integrates multiple measures, background information, behavioral observations and records.
Depending on the child’s age, history and referral questions, assessment tools may include:
Academic Achievement and Learning Disabilities
• Wechsler Individual Achievement Test, Fourth Edition (WIAT-4)
• Woodcock-Johnson V Tests of Achievement
• Kaufman Test of Educational Achievement, Third Edition (KTEA-3)
• Tests of Dyslexia–Screener, Early or Comprehensive (TOD-S, TOD-E or TOD-C)
• Comprehensive Test of Phonological Processing, Second Edition (CTOPP-2)
• Feifer Assessment of Reading (FAR)
• Feifer Assessment of Writing (FAW)
• Feifer Assessment of Mathematics (FAM)
Cognitive Abilities and Processing
• Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children, Fifth Edition (WISC-V)
• Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence, Fourth Edition (WPPSI-IV)
• Kaufman Assessment Battery for Children, Second Edition, Normative Update (KABC-II NU)
• NEPSY, Second Edition (NEPSY-II)
• Beery-Buktenica Developmental Test of Visual-Motor Integration, Sixth Edition (VMI)
Attention and Executive Functioning
• Delis-Kaplan Executive Function System (D-KEFS)
• Conners Continuous Performance Test, Third Edition (CPT-3)
• Kiddie Conners Continuous Performance Test, Second Edition (K-CPT 2)
• Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function, Second Edition (BRIEF-2)
• Comprehensive Executive Function Inventory (CEFI)
• Conners Fourth Edition (Conners 4)
Memory and Learning
• California Verbal Learning Test, Children’s Version (CVLT-C)
• Selected memory and learning measures appropriate to the child’s age and referral questions
Behavioral and Emotional Functioning
• Behavior Assessment System for Children, Third Edition (BASC-3)
• Multidimensional Anxiety Scale for Children, Second Edition (MASC-2)
• Parent and teacher interviews and questionnaires
Additional autism, adaptive-behavior or developmental measures may be included when those areas are part of the referral question.
The instruments listed above are examples. Every child does not receive every test, and the psychologist selects the measures needed to answer the specific referral questions.
An independent evaluation can provide valuable information when a family is discussing educational needs with a public, charter or private school.
The report may:
• Explain the child’s learning profile and functional limitations
• Identify diagnoses when appropriate
• Describe how the findings affect classroom learning and testing
• Recommend evidence-based reading, writing or mathematics interventions
• Suggest classroom supports and accommodations
• Provide information relevant to discussions about an IEP or Section 504 Plan
• Help private schools understand the child’s learning needs
• Support educational planning and communication among families, teachers and other providers
Schools independently determine eligibility for special-education services, IEPs and Section 504 Plans. An independent psychological evaluation provides clinical findings and recommendations but cannot guarantee eligibility, placement, services or particular accommodations.
Some students need updated documentation when requesting accommodations for standardized or entrance examinations.
When supported by the findings, an evaluation may provide documentation relevant to requests involving:
• SAT, PSAT and AP examinations administered through College Board
• ACT examinations
• School-based and private-school testing
• Dual-enrollment programs and college disability services
• Other standardized examinations
Possible accommodations may include extended time, additional breaks, reduced-distraction testing or assistive technology when clinically supported.
College Board, ACT, schools and other testing organizations maintain their own documentation and eligibility standards. The evaluation can support a request, but the receiving organization makes the final decision.
A child can be gifted and also have dyslexia, ADHD or another learning disability. This is sometimes called twice-exceptional, or 2e.
Strong reasoning abilities may allow a gifted child to compensate for a learning difficulty, sometimes producing scores that appear average even though the child is performing well below their individual potential.
A comprehensive evaluation considers patterns across cognitive, academic, attention, executive-functioning and memory measures. This can help identify both advanced abilities and areas requiring support.
Eligible Florida families may be able to use Step Up For Students scholarship funds for qualifying evaluation services.
This may include:
• Family Empowerment Scholarship for Students with Unique Abilities (FES-UA)
• Personalized Education Program (PEP)
Funding availability, eligible expenses, documentation requirements and reimbursement decisions are determined by Step Up For Students under current scholarship rules. Families should confirm their individual funding requirements before beginning services.
Free phone consultation
We begin with a brief consultation to discuss your concerns and determine which type of evaluation may be appropriate.
Intake and record review
The psychologist reviews developmental, medical and educational history along with relevant report cards, intervention records, previous evaluations and accommodation plans.
Individual testing
Testing is completed one-to-one in a supportive setting. The length and number of appointments depend on the child’s age, needs and evaluation scope.
Feedback meeting
The psychologist explains the findings, answers questions and discusses diagnoses and recommendations.
Written report
The report provides results in understandable language, diagnoses when appropriate, and individualized recommendations.
Appointments are typically available within 1–2 weeks. Reports are generally completed about one week after testing. More complex evaluations or delays in receiving records may affect the timeline.
Depending on the evaluation’s scope, families may receive:
• A clear explanation of the child’s cognitive and academic profile
• Standard scores, percentile ranks and clinically meaningful interpretation
• Diagnostic conclusions when criteria are met
• Individualized school, home and intervention recommendations
• Recommended accommodations when supported by the findings
• Guidance regarding evidence-based reading, writing or mathematics intervention
• Recommendations for assistive technology and learning strategies
• A feedback meeting with the psychologist
• A comprehensive written report
Which learning disabilities do you evaluate?
We evaluate concerns involving reading, writing and mathematics, including possible dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia and other specific learning disorders.
Can the evaluation help with an IEP or 504 Plan?
The evaluation may provide information that helps families and schools understand a child’s needs and consider appropriate services or accommodations. The school makes the final eligibility and service decisions.
Can the report support SAT or ACT accommodation requests?
When the findings support accommodations, the report can provide clinical documentation relevant to a request. College Board and ACT apply their own requirements and make final approval decisions.
Can you help children attending private school?
Yes. Evaluations can clarify a child’s learning needs and provide recommendations for instruction, intervention and accommodations in a private-school setting. Each school determines what services and accommodations it can provide.
Can you evaluate dyslexia and ADHD together?
Yes. Comprehensive testing can examine academic achievement, attention, executive functioning, cognitive processing and memory to determine which factors best explain the child’s difficulties.
Can a gifted child have dyslexia?
Yes. Gifted children can also have dyslexia, ADHD or another learning disability. A comprehensive evaluation can identify both advanced abilities and areas of need.
Does every child receive the same tests?
No. Although comprehensive evaluations assess the same major areas, specific instruments and subtests are selected according to the child’s age, history, needs and referral questions.
How soon can we schedule?
Appointments are typically available within 1–2 weeks.
How long does the report take?
Reports are generally completed about one week after testing. Timing may vary for complex evaluations or when additional records are needed.
Can Step Up For Students funds be used?
Eligible families may be able to use FES-UA or PEP scholarship funds for qualifying services, subject to current Step Up For Students rules and approval processes.
How much does a learning disability evaluation cost?
Targeted learning disability evaluations are $1,700, and comprehensive psychoeducational evaluations are $3,500. The appropriate option depends on the referral questions and complexity of the concerns.
If your child is working hard but continues to struggle with reading, writing or mathematics, an evaluation can provide clearer answers and a practical path forward.
Bright Future Psychology
5633 Strand Blvd, Suite 311, Naples
Welcome! We offer free 20-min phone consultations. Looking forward to speaking with you to see how we can help.