title: Learning disabilities: the need for neuropsychological evaluation.
abstract: A learning disability (LD) is a neurobiological disorder that presents as a serious difficulty with reading, arithmetic, and/or written expression that is unexpected, given the individual's intellectual ability. A learning disability is not an emotional disorder nor is it caused by an emotional disorder. If inadequately or improperly evaluated, a learning disability has the potential to impact an individual's functioning adversely and produce functional impairment in multiple life domains. When a learning disability is suspected, an evaluation of neuropsychological abilities is necessary to determine the source of the difficulty as well as the areas of neurocognitive strength that can serve as a foundation for compensatory strategies and treatment options.
authors.affiliation: Department of Rehabilitation Counseling, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Boulevard, Dallas, TX 75390-9088, USA. cheryl.silver@utsouthwestern.edu
authors.forename: Cheryl H
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Silver
authors.forename: Ronald M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Ruff
authors.forename: Grant L
authors.initials: GL
authors.lastname: Iverson
authors.forename: Jeffrey T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Barth
authors.forename: Donna K
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Broshek
authors.forename: Shane S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Bush
authors.forename: Sandra P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Koffler
authors.forename: Cecil R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Reynolds
mesh_terms: D001076:Aptitude; D006801:Humans; D007859:Learning Disabilities / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology*; D020380:Needs Assessment; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests