Some students learn, process, remember, and express information differently. A learning disability is a neurologically based difference that may affect how a person acquires, processes, stores, or demonstrates knowledge and skills. These differences can impact areas such as reading, writing, mathematics, verbal expression, memory, attention, reasoning, or information processing.
Learning Disability testing may be available to MiraCosta College students who would like to better understand how they learn and explore whether they may be eligible for disability-related accommodations and support services through SAS. Testing can help identify individual strengths, areas of challenge, and strategies that support academic success.
Every student has unique strengths and learning experiences. For some students, learning differences may significantly affect academic participation and progress. Students who have questions about their learning experiences, believe they may have a learning disability, or have previously completed learning disability testing are encouraged to connect with SAS to discuss available services and next steps.
Students interested in Learning Disability Testing must first be registered with SAS and meet with a SAS counselor during their Welcome Meeting or schedule an appointment with a SAS counselor to discuss their concerns related to learning and academic performance.
Students with Prior Testing
If you have previously completed learning disability testing or evaluation:
- Submit the Online SAS Application and contact SAS to schedule an appointment with a SAS counselor.
- Submit current learning disability testing records to SAS using the online application or send to sas@miracosta.edu.
- Meet with a SAS counselor or Learning Disability Specialist to review your documentation and discuss potential accommodations.
- If you meet the California Community College Learning Disabilities eligibility criteria, you may be approved for academic accommodations and support services without additional testing.
Students Without Prior Testing
If you have not previously completed learning disability testing:
- Submit the Online SAS Application and contact SAS to schedule an appointment with a Learning Disability Specialist.
- Meet with a Learning Disability Specialist to discuss your academic experiences and determine whether an assessment is recommended.
- If recommended, complete the Learning Disability (LD) assessment process.
- After the assessment is completed, you will receive a review of your results and recommendations.
- If you meet the California Community College Learning Disabilities eligibility criteria, you may be approved for academic accommodations and support services.
Learning Disability Testing is designed to provide information about how a student learns and processes information. The testing process can help identify strengths, areas of challenge, and strategies that may support academic success.
What Might a Student Experience?
Students with learning disabilities may experience challenges such as:
- Difficulty with reading, writing, spelling, or mathematics.
- Difficulty summarizing or organizing information.
- Challenges with memory or information retrieval.
- Slower reading, processing, or task completion.
- Difficulty memorizing mathematical facts or procedures.
- Misreading information or instructions.
- Uneven academic performance, including strengths in some subjects and challenges in others.
- Avoidance of reading or writing activities due to increased effort or frustration.
Not all students experience learning disabilities in the same way, and individual experiences can vary significantly.
General Information
- Learning Disability Testing can provide valuable insight into a student's learning process and effective learning strategies.
- Participation in the assessment process is voluntary.
- Results are considered private educational and disability-related information that students control and may choose whether or how to share.
- Testing is available to MiraCosta College students at no cost.
- Results do not appear on academic transcripts.
Areas Assessed
Assessment tools may include a review of educational and medical history, questionnaires, interviews, and measures of aptitude and academic achievement.
Areas that may be evaluated include:
Cognitive Processing
- Problem solving
- Verbal abilities
- Memory
- Visual processing
- Auditory processing
Academic Skills
- Basic academic skills
- Reading and math fluency
- Reading comprehension
- Written expression and composition
Educational limitations are identified through a comprehensive review of patterns of strengths and challenges. Assessment services provided through California Community Colleges are used to determine eligibility for disability-related academic accommodations and support services. These assessments are not intended to provide a clinical diagnosis.
Some students may share concerns about difficulties with reading, writing, mathematics, memory, concentration, processing information, or other learning-related challenges. Learning Disability testing may provide students with an opportunity to better understand how they learn and determine whether they may be eligible for disability-related accommodations and support services through SAS.
Faculty are not expected to assess, diagnose, or determine whether a student has a learning disability. However, faculty are often in a position to notice when a student is experiencing persistent academic challenges and may benefit from additional support.
If a student who has not provided an accommodation form shares that they think they may have a learning disability, is curious about learning disability testing, or reports ongoing learning-related challenges, faculty are encouraged to refer the student to SAS to learn more about available services and support options.
A referral to SAS may be helpful when a student:
- Expresses concerns about possible learning or processing differences.
- Describes ongoing difficulties with reading, writing, mathematics, memory, or information processing.
- Continues to experience significant academic challenges despite consistent effort and engagement with other supports, like tutoring.
- Asks whether MiraCosta College offers learning disability testing or assessment services.
Learning Disability Testing is voluntary, confidential, and available at no cost to MiraCosta College students. Participation in the assessment process does not automatically result in accommodations. If a student is found eligible under California Community College Learning Disabilities criteria, they may be approved for disability-related accommodations and services through SAS.
If you have questions about Learning Disability Testing or would like to consult regarding a student concern, please contact SAS at (760) 795-6658 or sas@miracosta.edu.
