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University Accessibility Center

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 Accessibility Center 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 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 Accessibility Center 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 Accessibility Center 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 or WAIS-5, the Woodcock-Johnson Tests of Cognitive Abilities – Fourth or Fifth Edition, or the Stanford-Binet V (other tests may qualify as well)
    • Academic Achievement: tested via the Woodcock-Johnson Tests of Achievement – Fourth or Fifth Edition, or the WIAT-4 (other tests may qualify as well)
    • A thorough evaluation is also likely to assess emotional factors (via the most current edition of the MMPI, PAI, MCMI, etc.) and attention (through ADHD questionnaires and/or a continuous performance test).
    Evaluation Resources

    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 last updated in August 2024. 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
    Orem: 363 E. 1200 S., #201, Orem, UT 84058
    Spanish Fork: 958 N. 200 E., Spanish Fork, UT 84660
    801-224-2313
    alliancepsychologyut.com 
    • Evaluations available: Psychoeducational/learning disorder, ADHD, general psychological 
    • Cost: Psychoeducational/learning disorder: $1410; ADHD: $710; general psychological: $590. Discounts to uninsured and underinsured students (contact the director, Dr. Ryan Balagna). 
    • Payment plan: Contact the director, Dr. Ryan Balagna. 
    • Insurance accepted: Almost all major insurance plans, including SelectHealth, DMBA, BCBS, University of Utah Health Plan, Aetna, EMI, Medicare, PEHP, United, Tricare 
    • Estimated wait time: 2-3 weeks 
    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): 
    • Option 1: ADHD, learning disorders, psychiatric, psychological, personality disorders 
    • Option 2: Neuropsychological, neuropsychiatric, neurocognitive (assesses traumatic brain injury, stroke, dementia, concussion, etc.) 
    • Option 3: Options 1 and 2 combined 
    • Cost: Option 1: $80-$500 (depending on chosen service); Options 2 and 3: $500-$800 
    • Payment plan: None available 
    • Insurance accepted: None 
    • Estimated wait time: Option 1: can be up to 2-3 years; Option 2: 6-9 months; Option 3: 6-9 months (dependent on Option 2 being available) 
    Milestone Neurodevelopment Center
    383 E. 60 S.
    American Fork, UT 84003
    385-336-7366
    Email address: gmiles@milestoneneuro.com
    • Evaluations available: Psychoeducational/learning disorder, 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 Plan 
    • Estimated wait time: 1-2 weeks for intake appointment; testing sessions are held approximately four months after the intake.
       
    Preferred Family Clinic
    1355 N. University Ave. #200
    Provo, UT 84604
    801-221-0223
    https://preferredfamilyclinic.net/
    • Evaluations available: Psychoeducational/learning disorder, ADHD, autism, psychiatric 
    • Cost: For specific pricing, call Preferred Family Clinic. Payment is due at time of service. 
    • Payment plan: Available 
    • Insurance accepted: Most insurance plans are accepted for testing with the exception of United, UMR, Medicaid/Medicare, and Optum. Insurance covers initial session and follow-up session; testing sessions are self-pay. 
    • Estimated wait time: Virtual (1-3 weeks, ADHD only); in-person (2-4 months, psychoeducational; 1 year, autism)
       
    Sandstone Psychology
    95 S. 100 E. #300
    Payson, UT 84651 (Additional locations in Salem and 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-$1200; other evaluations average $750. 
    • Payment plan: Half is due during the first session, half is due at the final session. 
    • Insurance accepted: SelectHealth, Aetna, BCBS, University of Utah Health Plan for evaluations; a superbill is provided for other insurance plans. 
    • Estimated wait time: 4 weeks
       
    University of Utah Autism Spectrum Disorder Clinic (part of Huntsman Mental Health Institute)
    240 E. Morris Ave. #400
    South Salt Lake, UT 84115
    801-587-8020
    https://healthcare.utah.edu/hmhi/treatments/autism-clinic
    • Evaluations available: Autism 
    • Cost: $900-$2000 evaluation fee plus $300-$400 consultation fee; discount if pay at time of consultation; $100 deposit required at time of service. 
    • Payment plan: 12, 24, or 36 months interest free 
    • Insurance accepted: Includes Aetna, BCBS, Cigna, DMBA, Humana, PEHP, United Healthcare, University of Utah Health Plan, Utah Medicaid (For additional insurance plans accepted, see https://healthcare.utah.edu/bill/insurance-information.) 
    • Estimated wait time: 12-13 months
       
    Utah Excel Psychology (A Partner of Bristol Health)
    3305 N. University Ave. #250
    Provo, UT 84604
    435-222-4883
    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/learning disorder evaluations). The application process may take 60-90 days. 
    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: 3 months. No wait for self-pay clients.