Summary of Key Points

• Screening tools and checklists are used to help identify potential learning disabilities. Screening tools are not designed to provide a diagnosis.
• Potential learning disability characteristics should be observed over a number of times and under various circumstances.
• Screening is part of the assessment process - it involves gathering, observing, informally assessing and reviewing to identify, understand and plan for learning barriers. Both the practitioner and learner should work as a team through the process of discovery.
• Potential learning disabilities may only be one barrier to learning. Other factors such as affective, motivation and skills and knowledge provide the complete picture. Each one can influence the others and it may be difficult to determine the primary cause for the learning blocks.
• Regardless of the screening tools that are used or the time when the screening may take place, the following areas should be explored to get a full understanding of the learner's barriers and strengths:
  • Learner's work habits and learning strategies
  • Learner's writing, reading and math samples
  • Learner's short term visual and auditory memory
  • Learner's medical and family history (if relevant)
  • Learner's previous school history
• There are many variables that can affect what tools you choose to include in your screening toolbox. Each variable will be weighted differently depending on the learners you serve, your agency resources, the purpose for using the tool, the availability of formal assessment services and your experiences as a practitioner - just to name a few!
• Anything you know about or observe in the learner may offer clues