Evaluations
Finding out why a bright child struggles to read, write, or do math
For children, teens, and young adults across north Atlanta.
Watching a bright child struggle to read, write, or do math is confusing and painful. Maybe you've heard "he'll grow out of it" or "she just needs to try harder." Sometimes that's true. But when a capable child works twice as hard for half the results, there's usually a reason, and testing can help identify it.
Signs that bring families in
- Reading that's slow, effortful, or full of guessing
- Spelling that doesn't improve despite practice
- Strong verbal skills but painful, disorganized writing
- Math facts that won't stick, or word problems that fall apart
- Avoiding schoolwork, or meltdowns around homework
- A gap between how smart your child clearly is and the grades coming home
- Teachers mentioning concerns, or a school evaluation that left you with more questions than answers
What the evaluation includes
A comprehensive psycho-educational evaluation measures your child's intellectual ability and academic achievement in reading, writing, and math, along with the underlying processes that support learning: phonological awareness, processing speed, working memory, language, and visual-motor integration skills. Dr. Marshall identifies specific learning disabilities including dyslexia (reading), dysgraphia (writing), and dyscalculia (math), and just as importantly, identifies your child's strengths, because good intervention builds on what a child does well.
What you get
A clear picture of how your child learns, a diagnosis when one is warranted, and a report with specific, evidence-based recommendations: the type of academic intervention that fits your child's profile, classroom accommodations, and documentation for IEP or 504 eligibility purposes. Dr. Marshall has worked alongside educators for more than 20 years and writes reports that schools can actually use.
Questions & Answers
What's the difference between a school evaluation and a private evaluation?
Schools evaluate to determine eligibility for special education services, not to diagnose. A school can find your child ineligible for services even when a learning disability exists. A private evaluation provides a clinical diagnosis, a deeper look at why your child is struggling, and recommendations that aren't limited by what the district offers. Many families use a private evaluation to advocate effectively within the school process.
What is dyslexia, exactly?
Dyslexia is a language-based learning disability that makes reading and spelling difficult despite adequate intelligence and instruction. It's the most common learning disability, and it runs in families. It is not a vision problem, and it has nothing to do with effort or intelligence. With the right instruction, children with dyslexia can become successful readers.
My child was tested at school and didn't qualify for help. Now what?
This is one of the most common reasons families call. Eligibility criteria and diagnostic criteria are different standards. Dr. Marshall can review the school's testing, fill in what may be missing, and provide the diagnostic clarity and documentation needed to revisit the conversation with the school or pursue outside intervention.
At what age can a learning disability be identified?
Risk indicators for dyslexia can be identified as early as kindergarten and first grade, and early intervention is dramatically more effective than waiting. There's no need to wait for a child to fail before testing. Comprehensive testing is provided for children ages 6 years and older. Developmental evaluations, which include assessment of early indicators of language-based problems, are offered for children between the ages of 3-5 years.
Will Fulton, Gwinnett, or Cobb county schools accept this testing?
Yes. Reports are written to include the components school teams need for IEP and 504 consideration, and Dr. Marshall is experienced with the documentation expectations of Fulton, Gwinnett, and Cobb county schools, along with area private schools.
Do you take insurance?
Pedia IQ is private pay. You'll receive a superbill with diagnostic and billing codes to submit to your insurance for possible out-of-network reimbursement. Note that many insurance plans consider educational testing separately from medical testing, so reimbursement varies by plan; we're happy to explain what's on the superbill so you can ask your insurer the right questions.
For more than 20 years, Dr. Rebecca Marshall has helped families answer the question underneath every referral: what's really going on with my child, and what do we do about it?