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Learning Disability Assessments for Adults
The term Learning disability is often misunderstood, especially in adults. Having a learning disability is not the same as a learning difficulty. Someone with a learning disability has to have a significantly reduced IQ (defined as less than 70), with a need for support in various areas of daily life.
There must also be evidence of this during childhood. This is different to learning difficulty which can be something specific like Dyslexia and also can sometimes mean a milder impairment.
A private learning disability assessment for adults can help people to finally understand why things have felt more difficult and what can be done to support a person moving forward. I offer confidential, comprehensive assessments in-person at my Manchester clinic.
What Is a Learning Disability in Adults?
A learning disability is a long-term developmental condition that affects how a person understands, processes or communicates information. It can impact upon memory, verbal ability. Reasoning skills, problem solving, and processing time, all of which cause difficulties with coping with everyday life and a need for support from others.
Learning disabilities are not only about intelligence. It is also about how this translates to everyday life and the support someone needs.
Signs of a Learning Disability in Adulthood
Someone may benefit from an adult learning disability assessment if they have any of the following:
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Difficulty reading fluently or understanding written information
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Problems with reading and writing
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Poor memory for instructions, names, numbers or dates
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Problems with organising and planning
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Struggles with numeracy and managing finances
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Needing more time to learn or complete tasks,
The benefits of a
learning disability assessment
It is not always easy to get a comprehensive learning disability assessment via the NHS. However, a learning disability diagnosis can be life-changing. It can help to:
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Understand a person's cognitive profile-their strengths and challenges, and what this means for a person's life
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Access reasonable adjustments at work or in education
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Move forward with practical strategies tailored to how someone's brain works
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Get access to the appropriate services
A private learning disability assessment offers not only answers but a way to move forward with clarity and support.
Getting Started
To begin, simply email me at pathnorthwest@protonmail.com with any questions or to ask for further information.If you wish to have a telephone or video call discussion, this can also be arranged.
How I Assess for Learning Disabilities
I carry out in-depth, evidence-based assessments tailored specifically for adults. My process is designed to be respectful, supportive and thorough:
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Initial Consultation
We begin with a conversation about a person's day-to-day experiences, challenges and background. I’ll listen carefully to understand what’s led someone to see me here and what the person and their supporters hope to gain. This appointment would almost always involve the person with a suspected learning disability and their supporter e.g. family member. The person themselves must consent to the assessment.
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Standardised Assessments
The person will complete a series of tasks that assess core learning-related skills that are part of an IQ assessment. These include:
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Memory
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Vocabulary
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Visual problem solving
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Arithmetic
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Feedback and Report
I also ensure that your difficulties are explored in context. I also consider other possible explanations such as lack of educational opportunity, language barriers or co-occurring conditions like anxiety or trauma that may mimic learning challenges.
Once your assessment is complete, I’ll provide:
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A detailed, accessible diagnostic report
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A 1:1 feedback session to talk through through the findings
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Recommendations that are practical, achievable and tailored to the person's goals
The aim is not just to diagnose but to help someone understand how their profile affects them in everyday life and how to move forward with the right tools and adaptations.
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Clinical Interview
I take a detailed history of the person's educational, developmental and professional experiences, including school performance, coping strategies and how they managed certain tasks over time. This helps build a full picture of a person's profile. I will ask about early life including developmental milestones and school experiences
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Adaptive skills
A standardised questionnaire will be completed with the person or their supporter to assess abilities in various different areas of daily life.
This is important, because IQ alone doesn’t mean having a learning disability. It is sometimes possible to have a lower IQ but function well enough in everyday life. It is also possible to have a high IQ and struggle with everyday life for other reasons e.g. autism, mental health.
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Private Learning Assessments In Manchester
​​​ I offer learning disability assessments for adults In-person in Chorlton, Manchester UK. The process is thorough, confidential and delivered with the same care and clinical standards. I am HCPC-registered and recognised by Aviva, AXA Health, BUPA and Vitality Health for private psychological services.
Who Might This Be Right For?
This assessment is ideal for:
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Adults who struggled in school eg did not pass by exams, needed extra support
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Adults who have a history of struggling to cope with everyday life
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Adults who have always relied on others to cope with tasks
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Adults who may need the support of local NHS services eg learning disability services
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What Happens After Diagnosis?
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Understanding someone has a learning disability can be incredibly validating. It can also open doors to support that may never have been available before. Here’s what happens next:
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1. A Diagnostic Report You Can Use
The report will outline someone’s learning and daily functioning profile in detail and can be used for making sure someone is on the learning disability register with their GP. Amongst other things this entitles someone to a regular annual health check, as we know that people with learning disabilities tend to have poorer health and worse experiences in accessing healthcare.
Getting access to local learning disability health or social care services. I have worked in such services for 22 years, and am experienced in using the assessments that are required in such services.
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It is very likely that if an assessment I complete suggests presence of a learning disability, that this would result in you having access to such services providing you have needs that can be met by those services.
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Everyone involved has a better understanding of how to make adaptations and give the right support.
2. Post-Assessment Guidance
I won’t just provide a report and leave someone to interpret it. I’ll talk through the results, explain how they relate to experiences and discuss the most useful next steps.
3. Therapeutic Support (if helpful)
Sometimes a diagnosis comes with a flood of emotions, including relief, grief or frustration. I offer adapted therapy options including ACT and EMDR if appropriate to help someone process and integrate the diagnosis into identity and self-understanding.
4. Signposting
If someone would benefit from additional support, I can direct them to relevant services . My goal is to make sure someone leaves the process not only with answers but with direction and support that is genuinely helpful.
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Is this the same as a dyslexia or dyspraxia test?
Not exactly. A full learning disability assessment may identify possible dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia or related difficulties, but it also explores the broader impact on daily functioning and learning capacity.
Can someone access help afterwards?
Yes. Subject to availability I can provide ongoing therapeutic support and can guide someone to other services or resources depending on need
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Is the assessment valid for workplace support?
Yes. The diagnostic report meets the standard for most UK institutions and can be used to access reasonable adjustments at work.
What happens after my assessment?
​You’ll receive a feedback session and a full written report. If needed and subject to availability I offer follow-up therapeutic support. I will also signpost you to relevant support and reading material, and give you sufficient time to ask any questions .You are not left on your own after diagnosis.
Do I need to tell my employer or GP?
Only if someone chooses to. The process is confidential, and the person decides who sees their report. However it is highly recommended.
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Why choose PATH North West?
The main benefit is my level of experience. I have specialised in this area for many years, including working for the NHS. I have substantial training and expertise.
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Why Choose PATH North West?
HCPC-Registered Clinical Psychologist:
You’ll be assessed by a qualified professional with 18+ years of specialist experience in working with neurodiverse adults, including in the NHS.
Private ADHD and Autism Assessments:
No long NHS wait times. We offer timely, confidential and comprehensive assessments tailored to adults.
In-Person or Online:
Insurance registered Health Provider:
Face-to-face sessions available in Chorlton, Manchester (Mondays), or online appointments available (Fridays).
​Psychology services that are registered with Aviva, AXA Health, BUPA, and Vitality Health.
Specialist in ADHD & Autism:
Extensive experience working with adults with Autism and ADHD, including late-diagnosis individuals, females and LGBTQ+ clients.
Evidence-Based Therapy Available:
I am experienced in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), which may be available post-diagnosis