Is the diagnosis of a learning disability an art or a science?  In 1997, recently confirmed Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor ruled in a U.S. District Court case that a learning disability cannot be solely diagnosed by metric testing. She ruled that clinical judgment must be used to identify whether a deviation in a particular case reflects the existence of a learning disability.  Diagnosis varies depending upon the type of professional, their level of experience, and the diagnostic instruments used.  This presentation will address the strengths and weaknesses associated with the diagnosis of NLD, which is a diagnosis rooted in the field of neuropsychology.  Comorbid diagnoses and diagnosis of conditions with overlapping areas of strength and weakness will be discussed.

Diane Kosters worked for 17 years in Mental Health Services at Kaiser Permanente, Walnut Creek.  Since 1999, she has had a private practice in Walnut Creek, CA, which focuses on the neuropsychological assessment of children, adolescents, and adults.

Elea Bernou worked as a clinical neuropsychologist in hospital settings for 6 years (McAuley Neuropsychiatric Institute; St. Mary’s Medical Center, S.F.).  She has had a private practice for the past 12 years specializing in the neuropsychological and psychological evaluations of adults, elders, adolescents, and children (age 6 and above.)