It’s not uncommon for kids to have an off day—or even an off week—when it comes to school. But if you’ve started noticing consistent signs your child is falling behind or showing signs of frustration, you may be wondering if something more is going on.
Whether your child is struggling with reading, completing assignments, staying organized, or getting along with peers, trust your instincts. As a parent, you know when something feels off. And recognizing those challenges early can make a significant difference in your child’s academic and emotional growth.
At Southeast Psych Nashville, we help families in Brentwood, Forest Hills, Green Hills, and Belle Meade understand their child’s unique learning needs through comprehensive educational evaluations that identify both strengths and weaknesses—and lead to meaningful support.
Common Signs Your Child May Need a Learning Assessment
Not all learning differences are obvious. Some students quietly struggle, while others act out due to mounting frustration. Here are some common signs that may indicate your child is struggling in school:
- Consistent difficulty with reading or writing
- Trouble managing time or keeping track of assignments
- Avoidance of schoolwork or frequent “I hate school” comments
- Falling behind grade level expectations despite effort
- Difficulty organizing tasks or materials
- Frequent daydreaming or difficulty paying attention
- Problems with social interactions or peer relationships
- A significant drop in academic performance
While any of these signs may happen from time to time, persistent patterns are worth exploring further.
Why Early Intervention Matters
When a learning disability or processing difficulty is identified early, it opens the door to effective support and accommodations that can dramatically shift your child’s school experience. Left unaddressed, these challenges can affect not only grades but self-esteem, motivation, and mental health.
Early intervention can:
- Prevent long-term academic struggles
- Reduce anxiety related to school
- Build confidence and independence
- Improve communication between school and home
We’ve seen firsthand how an accurate, strength-based educational evaluation can transform a student’s trajectory. That’s why we support families throughout Green Hills, Belle Meade, Brentwood, and Forest Hills with timely, compassionate assessments.
What Is a Learning Assessment?
Also known as a psychoeducational evaluation, a learning assessment is a comprehensive process that evaluates your child’s learning profile across multiple domains. It’s not about labeling—it’s about understanding.
Assessments typically explore:
- Academic skills in reading, writing, and math
- Cognitive abilities like memory, attention, and reasoning
- Language processing
- Visual and auditory processing
- Executive functioning skills (like planning, organizing, and problem-solving)
- Social-emotional functioning and classroom behaviors
The result is a detailed picture of your child’s strengths and weaknesses, and how those affect classroom performance.
How an Evaluation Can Support Your Child
Once we understand the root of your child’s challenges, we can provide:
- A clear diagnosis (if appropriate), such as a learning disability or ADHD
- Recommendations for special education services or school accommodations (e.g., IEP or 504 Plan)
- Strategies for supporting your child at home and in the classroom
- Suggestions for tutoring, therapy, or coaching
Every child learns differently. An evaluation doesn’t just identify areas of skills difficulty—it also highlights strengths that can be built upon, helping your child feel seen and supported.
What to Expect from the Process
At Southeast Psych Nashville, we make the assessment process approachable and family-centered:
- Parent and Student Interviews – We start by learning about your concerns, your child’s history, and what day-to-day life looks like at home and school.
- Testing Sessions – Your child completes a series of age-appropriate tasks that explore academic performance, thinking skills, attention, memory, and more.
- Feedback and Recommendations – We meet to share the results and create a personalized roadmap, complete with action steps tailored to your child’s needs.
Whether you’re in Brentwood, Forest Hills, Green Hills, or Belle Meade, we offer a supportive, expert approach to help you navigate your child’s school challenges with clarity and confidence.
Supporting Your Child Beyond the Classroom
A learning assessment is more than an academic tool—it’s a gateway to understanding your child’s experience and unlocking their potential. When students feel understood and supported, their whole outlook can change.
If you’ve been feeling unsure, stuck, or overwhelmed, know this: you don’t have to figure it out alone.
Our Clinical Neuropsychologist: Dr. Ryan Bennett
Dr. Ryan Bennett is a Clinical Neuropsychologist at Southeast Psych Nashville, specializing in educational and neurodevelopmental assessments for children and adolescents. Board Certified in Assessment Psychology, Dr. Bennett works closely with families to uncover learning differences, ADHD, and emotional factors that may be impacting school performance. He also serves as a professor and mentor, and is the author of numerous publications focused on performance psychology and mental wellness. Dr. Bennett is passionate about helping each child reach their full potential by providing clear answers and actionable guidance.
Let’s Take the First Step Together
If you suspect your child is struggling in school, don’t wait to get support. A learning assessment can offer answers, validation, and a plan that helps your child succeed—not just this year, but for the long term.
Contact Southeast Psych Nashville today to learn more about our assessment services for families in Brentwood, Forest Hills, Green Hills, and Belle Meade. We’re here to help you understand your child’s learning needs—and take meaningful steps toward success.
