What is the best place/institute that provides learning disability evaluation and diagnosis in the states ?

Question

I think my little brother has some kind of learning disability and I want to take him to a reliable place to get diagnosed. My father thinks that he's just dum but I know he's not. please help me prove my dad wrong n give my brother a chance to achieve something in life.

Answer 1

You or your parents should talk to your brother's pediatrician and ask for a referral to a psychiatrist who can give him an evaluation to determine if he has a learning disability. Or you can also ask the special education department at your brother's school to set him up for an evaluation with the school psychologist. The results of this evaluation (sometimes referred to as a core evaluation) will determine what his disability is and will make recommendations for his education and what services he will need.

Answer 2

I don't advise you go to another country for an evaluation.  You really need to find someone who can evaluate a child in your area.  Psychological testing is influenced by cultural background.  

For example, you need to have a psychologist who understands how people from your area pronounce words as they read.  You also need a psychologist who will understand why you answer the way you answer.  For example, there's a word on an IQ test that is also the name of a hair style.  If I didn't know to ask the students "tell me what else it means" I'd score them inappropriately.  I also once asked a refugee child to draw a picture of a house.  She drew something I'd never seen before, but a person from her country was able to explain it to me.  

You also need someone who is familiar with the special education rules for where you live.  Just because you get a diagnosis in the US, doesn't mean it will qualify the student for special education services at home.  There is also the issue that tests are standardized on certain populations, and the results may not even be valid for where you live.

The best advice I can give is to take your brother to a university that has a teacher's college.  If there are students who are studying to work with special education, they may be able to do assessments there, with the latest material.

EDIT:  I mean he can get evaluated at a university.  In order to get diagnosed with an LD he has to go through several tests, one of which is an IQ test.  Those tests are culturally based, that's why I'm saying you need to be evaluated where you live, not in the US.  If you do it here, you run the risk of getting incorrect results.  Check the private schools you are interested in, and ask THEM for referrals.  Then you'll know you'll get an evaluation they respect and will honor.  You can't guarantee that if you come to the States.