Because “average” does not always mean okay.
Learning disability evaluations for children and teens struggling with reading, writing, math, and learning efficiency.
Dr. Courtney Duhning, Psy.D., ABSNP, NCSP
Board-Certified Neuropsychologist
Learning Disability Evaluations for Long Island and Queens | Dyslexia | Dysgraphia | Dyscalculia
Serving families across Long Island & Queens.
When Your Child Is Struggling in School but No One Can Explain Why
You may have already:
Been told your child is “doing fine” academically
Heard that they will “grow out of it”
Tried tutoring or extra support without lasting improvement
But at home, the pattern looks different:
Many families on Long Island or Queens come in after months or years of uncertainty.
Many children with learning differences work incredibly hard to appear “fine” at school. Concerns are often missed because they are bright and compensating.
Learning difficulties do not always look the way people expect
Some students:
compensate well enough to maintain average grades
participate in class
appear social
work quietly and independently
But underneath the surface, learning feels more effortful than it should.
As academic demands increase, these hidden inefficiencies often become harder to compensate for.
This is especially common in:
high functioning students
upper elementary and middle school students
children who are working harder than peers just to keep up
Areas of learning difficulty Dr. Duhning commonly evaluates
Dyslexia (Reading Disorder)
Difficulty reading fluently
Slow or inaccurate decoding
Poor reading comprehension despite effort
Dysgraphia (Writing Disorder)
Illegible or inconsistent handwriting
Difficulty organizing writing
Fatigue or frustration with writing tasks
Dyscalculia (Math Disorder)
Poor number sense
Trouble memorizing math facts
Challenges with multi-step problem solving
Many children present with overlapping learning profiles, which is why comprehensive testing is essential.
Families often comes to Dr. Duhning after hearing
“Everything looks average.”
“They need to practice more at home.”
“It’s developmentally appropriate. They will catch up.”
Why Families Seek Private Learning Disability Evaluations
But parents are seeing
Excessive effort
Emotional exhaustion
Inconsistent academic performance
More frustration around school
A private neuropsychological evaluation provides:
A full cognitive and academic profile
More nuances and individualized assessment
Identification of subtle learning differences
Assessment of emotional and behavioral factors
Deeper clinical integration
Clearer recommendations for support and accommodations
Diagnostic clarity across multiple overlapping conditions
Most importantly, a private neuropsychological evaluation explains: Why your child is struggling & what specifically will help them succeed
Learning Differences Often Overlap with Other Concerns
Learning disabilities frequently occur alongside:
Executive functioning difficulties
Anxiety
Processing speed weaknesses
This is why comprehensive evaluation matters.
What You Receive After the Evaluation
Families receive a detailed, integrated report that includes:
Clear diagnostic findings (if applicable)
Explanation of your child’s learning profile
Specific, individualized recommendations
School-based support strategies (IEP/504 guidance)
Home strategies to reduce frustration and support learning
A visual summary of scores and parent feedback session are included to ensure results are fully understood and actionable.
After an evaluation, parents often describe a sense of relief.
Not because everything suddenly becomes easy but because things finally make sense.
The goal is not simply diagnosis. The goal is:
clarity
direction
reduced frustration
improved confidence
a better understanding of how your child learns
About Dr. Courtney Duhning
Dr. Courtney Duhning specializes in the evaluation of learning differences, executive functioning concerns, and complex academic profiles in children and adolescents.
Her approach is thoughtful, individualized, and focused on helping families gain meaningful clarity—not simply test results.
If something doesn’t fully add up, it’s worth understanding why.
Learning Disability Testing for Children on Long Island, NY
This practice provides comprehensive neuropsychological evaluations for families throughout:
Nassau & Suffolk County
Long Island, NY and Westchester, NY
Evaluations are conducted in a supportive, individualized office located in Manhasset, NY.