Can Speech Language Pathology test detect my son's learning disability needs?

Question

When my son's (8 year old) teacher suggested him to take SLP test, I was quite surprised. I have been helping him with his 2 digits subtraction math and I realized he forgets the method everytime he does. It has been quite hard on both him and I. I realized that may be he has a learning disability. If anyone know that SLP test can detect his disability and find the way to support him to learn??

Answer 1

Yes, i had speech therpy as a child around 5 yrs. old or so.  I still have problems speaking but thats ok.  One thing i learned from my disability is that it prevented me from learning to spell good.  Think of it, if you cant say the word, sound out the word, its hard to spell.  I dint use spell check here, so you may see the obvious mistakes.  LOL  Not be able to speak properly is a learning disability.  Think of it if, you have trouble learning to speak thats a learning disability.  Have a good Day!

Answer 2

This doesn't make sense. WHY does the teacher want him to take an SLP test if he is having trouble with math?

An SLP test only determines problems with language, speech, etc. It has nothing to do with math.

If a school wants a child to take a test, THEY have to pay for it.

Another thing - just becuase the teacher requested him to take this test, that does not mean the school will help once the test results are in and you know the problems he has.

Schools do not have to help a child with ANY special problems UNLESS the child is in special ed or has 504 plan.

So, just by asking you to give him this test will not make the school help him. It will not mean he will get help thru special ed.

First of all, you and the school are suppose to follow FEDERAL law called IDEA 'individuals with disabilities education act'

This is the law that mandates special ed in schools. Parents and schools are suppose to follow this step by step process to see if the child qualifies for special ed help.

Just because a child HAS a disabilitiy does not mean he 'automatically' qualifies for special ed help. The school has to do their OWN testing to see if he qualifies for this special ed help.

Yes you can get testing done on your own and pay for it, but in order for the school to help child thru special ed, THEY will HAVE to do their OWN testing in order to see if child qualifies for special ed help.

And since teacher already requested this testing, the SCHOOL will have to pay for it as part of their special ed testing they do to see if child qualifies for special ed testing.

The school will have to do testing to see if he has trouble in ANY area, and NOT just math. He could have problems in other areas that you don't know about.

Now, just because teacher said to get this testing does not mean the school will automatically get the ball rolling on this. They will NOT because the school has not followed the legal process in which to get it started.

What needs to happen (according to the legal process in IDEA law ) is that YOU need to write a letter to your DISTRICT special ed director requesting 'an initial full educational evaluation testing in all areas of suspected disabilities to determine if my child qualifies for special education services as specified by IDEA law'.

You HAVE to use those words in order to make it legal so they won't ignore your request. And you have to request this eval IN WRITING. If you do it verbally or on the phone, they will NOT do the eval.

Sorry to say schools are very bad when it comes to special ed and parents have to FIGHT to get the schools to help their child with special ed services.

In your letter also mention everything the teacher told you about your childs problems and that she wants you to get testing. This way, there will be written proof that the SCHOOL is admitting your child has  a problem and they wont' be able to come back and say 'we won't do testing, we don't see a problem'.

Yes you can get testing done on your own and pay for it, BUT it will do no good in getting your child help thru special ed in schools. They HAVE to do their own testing to see if he qualifies for special ed.

And the school can not MAKE you pay for testing to be done for your child.

Answer 3

I had speech pathology for around 3 years when i was 8. It doesnt mean he has a learning disability, he may just have alot of pressure being put on him. Im quite smart getting top marks in all my classes, except english, but trendymo pointed that out.

But if you want him to learn then dont just have a pen and paper, make it enjoyable for both of you. The best way to learn something is to have fun.

Answer 4

Your son's difficulty could be due to language disorder.  Sometimes schools want to rule out a language disorder prior to requesting further psychological testing for things like learning disabilities.  Language testing may be able to identify what is causing him to have difficulty in class or it may help show a need to do further testing with the psychologist.

Answer 5

Speech and Language Therapists can also test for auditory processing disabilities.  The teacher may suspect he does not understand what is being said to him and therefor having trouble.  Speech&L therapists do not just do articulation errors having to with Speech.  They also work with Language, expressive and receptive.  Receptive is the language being spoken to him and expressive is the language he uses.  I would also ask for a full Child Study Team Evaluation including an educational and psychological (gives IQ score) assessment.

Answer 6

SLP primarily detect speech problems typically not learning disabilities. Although, most SLPs have enough experience with those who are LD (Learning Disability). SLPs have tests that they can give but the tests mostly focus on speech problems, not learning problems.

I suggest that you talk to your child's school and see if their psychologist can test him for a LD. They have more ranged tested that aren't focused mainly on speech impediments.

Finding a way for your child to learn is a journey you and him need to take together. No one professional can tell you exactly how to learn certain material. Try researching as much as you can online or at the library about LDs and how to teach through a teachers prospective.

Good luck