Learning Disability Services Clinic
The Learning Disability Services Clinic (LDSC) is a service that provides assessments for learning disabilities related to reading, writing, and math as well as attention related problems to University of Manitoba students. The LDSC is operated jointly by the Student Counselling Centre (SCC) and the Psychological Service Centre (PSC), University of Manitoba.
Due to the current waitlist for intake appointments, the LDSC is not accepting new requests for service at this time. If you have already completed a request for service form, you will be contacted once your name is at the top of the intake waitlist.
Please note assessment related services are available in the community. If you are seeking an assessment for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) with no other complicating factors, such as other learning concerns, it is recommended you connect with a physician first to explore the possibility of an ADHD diagnosis. If you are seeking an assessment for a learning disability, you can seek out a private assessment in the community. You can find a list of psychologists who conduct assessments using the Manitoba Psychological Society’s Find a Psychologist tool on their website (https://mps.ca/find-psychologist/). Please note that private psychological assessments typically cost between $2000 and $3500.
Assessments for a possible learning disability or attention problem
- What kind of assessments are offered?
- Psychoeducational assessments are conducted to assess for specific learning disorders related to reading, writing, and/or math as well as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
- Note: Given the high demand for our services, if you are seeking an assessment for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Diagnosis (ADHD) with no other complicating factors such as other learning concerns, it is recommended you connect with a physician first to explore the possibility of an ADHD diagnosis.
- What does an assessment involve?
- The assessments conducted through the LDSC involves a request for service, an intake interview, testing sessions, and a feedback session.
- Request for Service: Please note that no requests for service are being taken at this time due to the extent of the current waitlist for this service. We will update this website when requests for service are being accepted again.
- Intake Appointment: It is a 30-50 minute interview to explore your concerns, gather relevant background and contextual information, and decide on next steps. Next steps could include a recommendation for psychological testing through the LDSC and/or referral to other services on or off campus. If psychological testing is recommended, you will be added to the waitlist for an assessment. Due to the high demand for assessments, there is a long wait list for this service.
- Testing Sessions: Once your name is at the top of the wait list you will be contacted to schedule your testing sessions. Most assessments usually involve 6 to 9 hours of testing that is completed over two or more sessions. After the testing sessions are concluded, the tests are scored and analyzed, and a comprehensive report is written. The scoring and report writing process usually takes several weeks to complete.
- Feedback Session: After the report is completed you will be contacted to schedule a feedback session. This session is to discuss the results of the assessment along with any recommendations, provide a copy of the report to you, and answer any questions about the assessment, results, and recommendations you may have.
- The assessments conducted through the LDSC involves a request for service, an intake interview, testing sessions, and a feedback session.
- What are the benefits of an assessment?
- An assessment can provide information about your intellectual, cognitive, and academic abilities, along with other relevant factors that could influence your academic performance (such as mental health conditions). It provides information regarding whether you meet the criteria for a diagnosis of a learning disability, attention deficit disorder, or related condition. All of this information should give you greater insight into factors that affect your academic performance, including relative strengths and weaknesses, which may then be used by you and, if you choose to share the assessment results with them, student service providers (e.g., Academic Learning Centre, Student Accessibility Services, Student Counselling Centre) to improve your performance at university and identify additional resources.
- What are the risks of an assessment?
- The main risk of an assessment is that the results may not be what you expected. The assessment itself is also a risk as it explores areas in which you are struggling so testing sessions may prove to be challenging mentally and/or emotionally. Another risk is that an assessment cannot be undone. Once you know something about yourself you cannot un-know it. The results also become a part of your health record at the PSC (and SCC if any testing occurs there).
- Who is eligible for an assessment through the LDSC?
- To be eligible for an assessment you must be enrolled as a University of Manitoba student at the time of the intake meeting and at the time of testing. That is, you must be enrolled in classes, graduate studies or completing a degree required education placement.
- How much does an assessment cost?
- There is no cost for the assessment.
- How long is the wait for this service?
- There is a high demand for assessments. As such, there can be a long wait associated with this service. The wait for intake appointments varies from a couple weeks to several months depending on demand and availability. After intake, it often takes a year for the student to be seen for testing.
- Can I get an assessment elsewhere?
- Yes. You can seek out a private assessment in the community. You can find a list of psychologists who conduct assessment using the Manitoba Psychological Society’s Find a Psychologist tool on their website. Please note that private psychological assessments typically cost between $2000 and $3500.
If you're not sure what type of support you need
It is common for students to be unsure of what type of help they need.
If unsure, review our workshops and groups to see if there is a program of interest for you that is focused on the problem you are having.
You may also schedule an intake appointment to speak with us about your situation and to clarify your needs and what would be the best service for you.
You may also be interested in
Contact Us
Student Counselling Centre (SCC)
474 UMSU University Centre
65 Chancellors Circle
University of Manitoba (Fort Garry Campus)
Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2 Canada