Learning Disabilities

A learning disability (also known as a specific learning disorder) is marked by the following criteria:

1. Difficulties learning and using academic skills despite provision of interventions that target those difficulties. One of the following symptoms has persisted in the last six months:

• Inaccurate or slow and effortful word reading
• Difficulty understanding the meaning of what is read
• Difficulties with spelling
• Difficulties with written expression
• Difficulties mastering number sense, number facts, or calculation
• Difficulties with mathematical reasoning
  

2. These skills are lower than what would be expected for the person’s chronological age and significantly interfere with academic/occupational performance or activities of daily living.

3. Learning difficulties begin during school-age years but may not become fully manifest until the demands for those affected academic skills exceed the individual’s capacity.

4. Learning difficulties are not better accounted for by intellectual difficulties, auditory/vision problems, psychosocial adversity, lack of proficiency in the language of academic instruction, inadequate educational instruction, or other mental/neurological disorders.

Here are the three major domains of a Specific Learning Disorder:

1. Specific Learning Disorder with Impairment in Reading (sometimes referred to as “dyslexia,” although the terms are not completely interchangeable) – Could include impairment in the following subskills:

• Word reading accuracy
• Reading rate or fluency
• Reading comprehension
  

2. Specific Learning Disorder with Impairment in Written Expression – Could include impairment in the following subskills:

• Spelling accuracy
• Grammar and punctuation accuracy
• Accurate math reasoning
  

3. Specific Learning Disorder with Impairment in Mathematics – Could include impairment in the following subskills:

• Number sense
• Memorization of arithmetic facts
• Accurate or fluent calculation
• Accurate math reasoning

There are many situations in which learning may be negatively affected that do NOT qualify as a learning disorder. Here are some examples:

1. If you have trouble in classes due to English being your second language, this would not qualify as a disability and would not entitle you to accommodations.

2. If your learning disturbance appears to be related to emotional factors, it is unlikely that a learning disability exists, although you may qualify for accommodations for emotional disorders instead.

3. Generally, learning disorders are first diagnosed in elementary school or early in middle school/junior high. Thus, if you have had academic success throughout high school with relatively average effort, then chances are that you would not be diagnosed with a learning disability in college.

If you have already been diagnosed with a learning disability, there are a few steps necessary to receive help from the Accessibility Center:

1. Complete the initial meeting form here.

2. Contact the UAC front desk (801-422-2767) and schedule an intake appointment with one of our learning disorder coordinators. This appointment will take about 60 minutes and will review your history and symptoms.

3. Bring a copy of your documentation supporting your diagnosis to the Intake Appointment. If you do not have written documentation of your learning disorder, please have your medical professional complete the Documentation of Disability Form and return it to the University Accessibility Center in person or via fax (801-422-0174).

4. During your Initial Appointment your coordinator will review your information and determine what accommodations and/or required further evaluation is applicable.

If your evaluation was completed when you were at least 16 years old, you will be considered eligible for accommodations for your entire term at the university. If your evaluation was completed when you were under the age of 16, your documentation will be considered valid for seven years from the date of the evaluation report. If your documentation has expired, updated documentation will be necessary.

If you suspect that you may have a Learning Disability please make an appointment with a coordinator to discuss options and resources that may be available to you. You can start the process by following these steps:

1. Complete the initial meeting form here.

2. Contact the UAC front desk (801-422-2767) and schedule an intake appointment with one of our learning disability coordinators. This appointment will take about 60 minutes and will review your history and symptoms.

3. At your intake appointment, your coordinator will talk to you about resources for obtaining learning disorder testing.

4. If you are tested for a learning disorder and are diagnosed with a disability, have the medical provider complete a Documentation of Disability Form and return it to the UAC in person or via fax (801-422-0174).

While the general convention is to have documentation of a disability before meeting with us, if you experience any problems obtaining documentation, please feel free to schedule an appointment with a coordinator, who will talk with you about your options. These options may possibly include receiving provisional accommodations or connecting you with resources outside of our office.

When selecting a Learning Disorder evaluator, it is recommended that the evaluation you receive encompasses the following aspects:

• Intellectual Abilities: tested via the WAIS-IV, the Woodcock-Johnson Tests of Cognitive Abilities – Third or Fourth Edition, or the Stanford-Binet V (other tests may qualify as well)
  
• Academic Achievement: tested via the Woodcock-Johnson Tests of Achievement – Third or Fourth Edition, or the WIAT-II (other tests may qualify as well)
  
• A thorough evaluation is also likely to assess emotional factors (via the MMPI-2, PAI, MCMI-III, etc.) and attention (through ADHD questionnaires and/or a continuous performance test).
  

NOTE: This Evaluation Resources list indicates possible local resources for obtaining a psychoeducational/learning disorder, ADHD, psychological/emotional, neuropsychological, traumatic brain injury, and/or autism evaluation. The list provides general information and was compiled in June 2023. Please contact the provider for more specific and/or updated information. It is recommended that you check with your health insurance company, as some health insurance plans may pay for at least part of an evaluation, although many do not.

Alliance Psychology 
958 N. 200 E.
Spanish Fork, UT 84660
801-224-2313
https://alliancepsychologyut.com/

• Evaluations available: Psychoeducational/learning disorder, ADHD, general psychological
• Cost: Psychoeducational/learning disorder: $1410; ADHD: $640; General psychological: $910
• Payment plan: None available
• Insurance accepted: Almost all major insurance plans, including: SelectHealth, DMBA, BCBS, University of Utah Health Care, Aetna, EMI, Medicare, PEHP
• Estimated wait time: 1 week or less

BYU Comprehensive Clinic
1190 N. 900 E.
Provo, UT 84604
801-422-7759
https://comprehensiveclinic.byu.edu/assessments

• Evaluations available (grouped according to three options): 

o Option 1: ADHD, learning disorders, psychiatric, psychological, personality disorders

o Option 2: Neuropsychological, neuropsychiatric, neurocognitive (assesses traumatic brain injury, stroke, dementia, concussion, etc.)

o Option 3: Options 1 and 2 combined

• Cost: Option 1: $80; Options 2 and 3: $500
• Payment plan: None available
• Insurance accepted: None
• Estimated wait time: Option 1: 2-3 years; Option 2: 6-9 months; Option 3: approximately 2 months

Milestone Neurodevelopment Center
383 E. 60 S.
American Fork, UT 84003
385-336-7366
Email address: gmiles@milestoneneuro.com

• Evaluations available: Psychoeducational, neuropsychological, ADHD, autism
• Cost: Self-pay cost is dependent on the number of hours it takes to complete, so usually $1500-$1800.
• Payment plan: None available
• Insurance accepted: DMBA, EMI, PEHP, SelectHealth, University of Utah Health Care
• Estimated wait time: 1-2 weeks for intake appointment; testing sessions are scheduled within the following two weeks.

Preferred Family Clinic
1355 N. University Ave. #200
Provo, UT 84604
801-221-0223
https://preferredfamilyclinic.net/

• Evaluations available: Psychoeducational/learning disorder, ADHD, autism
• Cost: For specific pricing, call Preferred Family Clinic. Payment is due at time of service.
• Payment plan: None available
• Insurance accepted: Some insurance is accepted. Insurance covers initial session and follow-up session; testing sessions are self-pay.
• Estimated wait time: Virtual (1-3 weeks, ADHD only); in-person (4 months, psychoeducational/autism)

Sandstone Psychology
95 S. 100 E. #300
Payson, UT 84651 (Additional locations in Salem, Nephi)
801-382-9338
https://www.sandstonepsychology.org/

• Evaluations available: Psychoeducational/learning disorder, ADHD, psychiatric, autism
• Cost: Autism evaluations average $1500-$1800; psychoeducational evaluations range from $900-$1150; other evaluations average $650.
• Payment plan: Half is due during the first session, half is due at the final session.
• Insurance accepted: SelectHealth, UnitedHealthcare, University of Utah Health Care for evaluations; a superbill is provided for other insurance plans.
• Estimated wait time: 4 weeks

University of Utah Autism Clinic (part of Huntsman Mental Health Institute)
240 E. Morris Ave. #400
Salt Lake City, UT 84115
801-587-8020
https://healthcare.utah.edu/hmhi/treatments/autism-clinic

• Evaluations available: Autism
• Cost: $1866 evaluation fee plus $309 consultation fee; discount if pay at time of consultation 
• Payment plan: 12, 24, or 36 months interest free
• Insurance accepted: Includes Aetna, BCBS, Cigna, DMBA, Humana, PEHP, SelectHealth, UnitedHealthcare, University of Utah Health Care, Utah Medicaid (For additional insurance plans accepted, see https://healthcare.utah.edu/bill/insurance-information.)
• Estimated wait time: 6-12 months

Utah Excel Psychology (A Partner of Bristol Health)
1125 W. Center Street
Orem, UT 84057
801-903-5903
https://utexcel.com/

• Evaluations available: Psychoeducational/learning disorder, ADHD, psychological/emotional, autism
• Cost: $770 and up
• Payment plan: Yes
• Insurance accepted: SelectHealth, EMI. Detailed receipts are provided that can be submitted to other insurance companies for reimbursement. 
• Estimated wait time: 2-4 weeks

Vocational Rehabilitation
150 E. Center St. #3300
Provo, UT 84606
801-806-0950
https://jobs.utah.gov/usor/

• Contact Vocational Rehabilitation for information regarding application and eligibility for services (e.g., funding for psychoeducational evaluations). Applications may take up to 90 days to process.

Wasatch Behavioral Health
750 N. Freedom Blvd.
Provo, UT 84601
801-852-1422 (Psychological Testing)
https://www.wasatch.org/

• Evaluations available: ADHD, psychiatric, neuropsychological, autism, traumatic brain injury
• Cost: $2500 at time of first visit if self-pay
• Payment plan: None available
• Insurance accepted: Medicaid or dual coverage (i.e., Medicaid + a private insurance)
• Estimated wait time: 4.5 months