Discovery Center FAQs

The following are questions frequently asked about learning disabilities and the Discovery Center’s educational therapy program:

1. What is a learning disability? Students with average to superior intelligence who have specific deficits in perception and/or cognition are said to be learning disabled. They typically do not learn by traditional classroom instructional methods.

2. How are learning disabilities diagnosed? An educational battery of formal and informal tests is used to determine areas of strengths and weaknesses and to identify the presence of specific learning difficulties. This battery includes a psychological test (WISC-IV), which is administered by a licensed psychologist and used to determine student potential.

3. What is an educational therapy program? Students in educational therapy at the elementary level receive two 80-minute sessions of intensive one-on-one therapy per week. Students at the junior high and high school level take educational therapy as an elective. Educational therapy includes a variety of techniques designed to stimulate and strengthen areas of weakness in perception and cognition. Compensatory techniques are avoided. The end goal of educational therapy is to help students develop independence and responsibility in the classroom and in life.

4. Who is a candidate for this program? Potential students for this program are those experiencing obvious frustration in areas related to school performance. Poor spelling, illegible handwriting, inability to express thoughts verbally or in writing and difficulty with reading or math are common indicators of a learning disability.

5. How can we know the program works? Several research studies are available on educational therapy. A dissertation has been completed with statistical data describing program effectiveness. However, success stories of students having completed the program speak for themselves. Many of these students are achieving honor roll status and are pursuing undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees.