Dyslexia & Learning Disability Testing in Portland, Maine
Comprehensive learning evaluations for children, teens and young adults, ages 5 to 21
Clear answers when learning is harder than it should be
If your child is working hard but still struggling with reading, writing or math, you may be wondering whether a learning disability like dyslexia is the reason. A comprehensive learning evaluation at Beacon Light explains why learning is hard, identifies your child's strengths, and shows exactly what kind of support will help.
Learning struggles can have more than one cause, and they often overlap with attention, language or emotional concerns. Our evaluations look at all of these, then give you a clear diagnosis (if appropriate) and practical recommendations for school and home.
Signs it may be time for a learning evaluation
Every child learns at their own pace. An evaluation may help when struggles continue despite good teaching and extra help, or when effort doesn't match results.
Reading and spelling
- Trouble connecting letters and sounds
- Slow, effortful or inaccurate reading
- Avoiding reading aloud
- Spelling the same word differently each time
Writing
- Handwriting that's hard to read or tiring
- Ideas that don't make it onto paper
- Frequent spelling, grammar or punctuation errors
- Written work that takes much longer than expected
Math
- Trouble learning and remembering math facts
- Difficulty understanding numbers and quantities
- Relying on fingers long after peers have stopped
- Struggling with word problems or multi-step math
Why a comprehensive evaluation matters
Learning struggles are a symptom, not a diagnosis. To find the right support, it's important to understand why learning is hard, which means ruling out other factors and finding everything that's contributing.
Decides eligibility for services
- Focuses on whether a student qualifies for special education
- Usually doesn't diagnose dyslexia or other learning disorders
- May not look closely at attention, language or emotions
- Recommendations focus mainly on school
Explains why, and what will help
- Can diagnose specific learning disorders, like dyslexia
- Rules out other factors that affect learning
- Identifies co-occurring concerns like ADHD or anxiety
- Recommendations for school, home and treatment
Other factors that can affect learning
What a comprehensive learning evaluation looks at
To get a complete picture, we use standardized testing, interviews and input from home and school across these areas:
What you'll walk away with
How the evaluation works
Free 15-minute call
Talk with Dr. DiGiovanni about your concerns and whether an evaluation makes sense.
Paperwork from home
Consent and background forms, completed online.
Intake interview · 1–1.5 hours
By Zoom, with parents, or with you if you're a young adult.
Testing · 3–5 hours
At our downtown Portland office, with breaks as needed.
Feedback · 1–2 hours
Usually in person. We go over results, any diagnoses and recommendations.
Your written report
Within a few days of feedback, ready to share with a school, college or doctor.
Every evaluation at Beacon Light follows this same comprehensive process and price. Learn about our evaluations →
- Includes the intake, all testing, scoring and interpretation, feedback and a full written report
- $400 at intake and the rest at testing
- HSA and FSA funds welcome, and CareCredit financing is available
- Superbill provided for possible out-of-network reimbursement
Common questions about learning evaluations
My child's school already tested them. Do they need another evaluation?
School evaluations decide whether a student qualifies for special education services. They usually don't diagnose specific learning disorders like dyslexia, and they may not look at attention, language or emotional factors. Our evaluations go deeper and include recommendations for home and treatment as well as school.
Do you diagnose dyslexia?
Yes. When the results support it, we diagnose specific learning disorders, including dyslexia (reading), dysgraphia (written expression) and dyscalculia (math), and explain clearly what that means for your child.
Can the evaluation help with accommodations for college or standardized tests?
Yes. For teens and young adults, our report can document the need for accommodations such as extended time, in high school, in college and on standardized tests. Each school or testing agency has its own requirements, so it helps to check them before you begin.
Will you recommend specific tutoring or reading programs?
Our recommendations describe the kinds of instruction and support that fit your child's profile, such as structured, evidence-based reading instruction, so you and the school know what to look for.
What ages do you evaluate?
We evaluate children, teens and young adults ages 5 to 21.
Is a learning evaluation covered by insurance?
We're a private-pay practice and don't bill insurance directly. We provide a superbill you can submit for possible out-of-network reimbursement. HSA and FSA funds and CareCredit financing are also options. See our rates and reimbursement guide.
Wondering why learning is so hard?
Book a free 15-minute call with Dr. DiGiovanni to talk through your concerns and whether an evaluation makes sense.