Assessment

Psychoeducational assessments are individualized and are used to better understand an individual’s intellectual and problem-solving abilities (e.g. IQ), executive functioning abilities (e.g. memory, attention, task approach), academic skills (e.g. reading, writing, spelling, math), and emotional functioning (e.g. anxiety, depression, acting out behaviour) for the purpose of providing recommendations to improve academic programing and performance. Psychoeducational assessments can identify learning disabilities, attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder, mental health difficulties, and intellectual disability.

Most psychoeducational assessments include an interview with parents, interview with the child/youth, approximately 9 hours of testing, questionnaires completed by multiple sources (e.g. parents, caregivers, and teachers), a feedback session with parents where we review the results of the assessment and recommendations, and a written report. A total of 3 to 5 sessions are required, depending on the age of the individual assessed, and the nature of the presenting concerns.

A psychoeducational assessment is often recommended when a child or young person is struggling in school. Common issues include children having difficulty meeting academic expectations in reading, writing, or mathematics, paying attention, being restless, not completing schoolwork, or having difficulties with organization. At home, children may refuse to do their homework, complain about not liking school, or may appear anxious or sad. Psychoeducational assessments are used to better understand why children and youth may be having these difficulties.

This assessment is specifically designed to meet the requirements of an assessment by the DSO if a psychoeducational assessment and/or developmental assessment has not been previously completed between the ages of 16 and 21 or is missing the required information. This assessment includes a measure of cognitive functioning and a measure of adaptive abilities and is available for individuals aged 16 through 21.

Our adult ADHD assessments are comprehensive, including a thorough psychosocial interview with a psychologist, a day of cognitive testing, and completion of psychometric questionnaires to facilitate an accurate diagnosis. Recommendations are provided at the feedback session and are included in the final report. A total of 3 appointments are required.

Diagnostic assessments are conducted in order to determine the presence of a mental health diagnosis and provide treatment recommendations. Most diagnostic assessments include a thorough psychosocial interview, the use of psychometric tests, review of medical records, consultation with other care providers (e.g. physician, occupational therapist), feedback, and a written report. Information collected during the interview typically includes the history of any mental health symptoms and personality attributes, relationship history (e.g. family of origin, social relationships), work history, and medical history. Psychodiagnostic assessments are typically conducted at the request of a physician/psychiatrist seeking a second opinion or an insurance provider.

Our accident / injury assessments are complex mental health or psychodiagnositic assessments (see above) with an emphasis on understanding how symptoms are connected to a given accident, injury or other life experience, the impact of symptoms on activities of daily living, and the creation of a treatment plan. Accident / injury assessments are typically conducted at the request of an insurance provider.