Bright children shouldn’t struggle this much in school
A neuropsychological evaluation identifies why your child is struggling and provides a clear roadmap for how to help them succeed in reading, writing, and math.
Dr. Courtney Duhning, Psy.D., ABSNP, NCSP
Board-Certified Neuropsychologist
Learning Disability Evaluations for Long Island and Queens
When Your Child Is Struggling in School but No One Can Explain Why
Many families on Long Island come in after months—or years—of uncertainty.
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:
Your child seems capable, but their grades do not reflect it.
At this point, many parents begin asking:
Is this a learning disability or something else?
Learning Disabilities We Evaluate
(Dyslexia, Dysgraphia, Dyscalculia)
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.
Neuropsychological Evaluation vs School Testing on Long Island
School evaluations are helpful, but they are often limited in scope, time, and diagnostic depth.
A private neuropsychological evaluation provides:
A full cognitive and academic profile
Analysis of attention, memory, and processing speed
Evaluation of executive functioning skills
Assessment of emotional and behavioral factors
Diagnostic clarity across multiple overlapping conditions
Most importantly, it explains: Why your child is struggling & what specifically will help them succeed
Signs Your Child May Need Learning Disability Testing
Consider an evaluation if your child:
Is bright but underperforming academically
Avoids reading, writing, or math tasks
Struggles despite tutoring or intervention
Has inconsistent performance across subjects
Becomes frustrated, anxious, or shut down with schoolwork
These challenges are common in children across Long Island who ultimately are found to have dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, or related learning differences.
What a Learning Disability Evaluation Includes
A comprehensive neuropsychological evaluation includes assessment of:
Intellectual functioning (cognitive abilities)
Reading, writing, and math skills
Attention and executive functioning
Memory and learning efficiency
Language processing
Emotional and behavioral functioning
The goal is to develop a complete learning profile, not just a label.
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 parent feedback session is included to ensure results are fully understood and actionable.
Why Early Identification Matters
Without clear identification, learning difficulties often lead to:
Increasing academic gaps over time
Declining confidence and motivation
Misunderstanding of effort or behavior
Emotional frustration around school
With the right diagnosis and support:
Instruction becomes targeted
Accommodations can be implemented
Learning becomes more accessible
Confidence can rebuild over time
Schedule a Learning Disability Evaluation
If you are concerned that your child may have a learning disability or you are still searching for clear answers, a neuropsychological evaluation is the next step.
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.