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Student Portrait studies in the arts and sciences of communication

Frequently Asked Questions for Parents and Prospective Students



Frequently Asked Questions for Parents

What is a learning disability?
A learning disability is a disorder in one or more of the basic psychological processes which manifests itself as a significant discrepancy between achievement and intellectual ability in one or more of the following areas:

  • Oral expression
  • Listening comprehension
  • Written expression
  • Basic reading skill
  • Reading comprehension
  • Mathematics calculation
  • Mathematics reasoning
  • Nonverbal functioning
A child may not be identified as having a specific learning disability if the severe discrepancy between ability and achievement is primarily the result of:
  • A visual, hearing, or motor impairment
  • Mental retardation
  • Emotional disturbance
  • Environmental, cultural or economic disadvantage

How do I have my child assessed at the Northwestern Learning Clinic?
Contact the Learning Clinic at (847) 467-1198 to discuss your concerns and receive more detailed information regarding our clinic procedures and the current diagnostic timetable.

Can my child receive remediation services at Northwestern if he/she has not been tested by Northwestern's diagnostic clinic?
In order to begin remediation services at Northwestern, a child must have been assessed at the Diagnostic Clinic.

Where is the Learning Clinic located?

Where can I get additional information on learning disabilities and related disorders?

  1. LDOnline
  2. ABC's of LD and ADHD (LDOnline website)
  3. Children and Adults with ADHD (CHADD) website
  4. State of Illinois Board of Education Special Education Website
  5. Downloadable parent handbook from the State of Illinois - Website
  6. Special Education Information

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