SPECIALIZED ASSESSMENT
What is an assessment?
A specialized assessment identifies an individual’s specific pattern of strengths and weaknesses by conducting standardized tests and gathering background information from a variety of sources. The results of the assessment provide a deeper understanding of the client’s abilities and allow for recommendations to be made according to their specific profile.
Who would benefit from an assessment?
Psychoeducational assessments are ideal for students or individuals struggling to succeed academically or in the workplace despite their effort and motivation. Frequent presenting concerns include struggles with time management, focus, memory, anxiety, behaviour, social functioning, specific academic skills, and/or achievement that is not commensurate with the degree of effort expended.
Developmental assessments are valuable for individuals applying for AISH (Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped) and PDD (Persons with Developmental Disabilities) funding and supports. These assessments focus on documenting an individual’s cognitive abilities (IQ) and adaptive skills and supplying the diagnostic identification required by these programs.
Assessment services are available for clients aged 5 to 99.
What can I expect?
- Assessment occurs one-on-one with a psychologist or provisional psychologist.
- We gather information regarding the client’s developmental, academic, occupational and health histories and administer and interpret norm-referenced tests of cognitive functioning, academic achievement, attention/behavioural functioning, and social/emotional functioning to understand the client’s strengths and weaknesses.
- The assessment may result in a diagnosis of a learning disability, ADHD (Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder), giftedness, intellectual disability or a variety of mental health disorders.
- All assessments will provide recommendations for strategies based on the client’s strengths and functional limitations and will help individuals access academic and workplace accommodations to help ensure academic, social and occupational success. Accommodations are applicable to IPPs (Individualized Program Plans), diploma exams, apprenticeship programs and entrance/vocational licensing exams.
- Assessment appointments vary in length, but often take 6-8 hours to complete. Also included is a 1.5 hour feedback meeting with parents, clients and/or stakeholders to explain the findings of the assessment, relay strategies/suggestions and ways to implement them, and to provide the client with the written report. Adult clients can choose to complete the assessment in one full-day or two half-day appointments. It is recommended that child clients complete the assessment in two to three half-day testing sessions to minimize fatigue and inattention. Eligible clients will be contacted to book the following appointments:
Adult Client
- Intake and Assessment Session: 6-8 hours or two 3-4 hour appointments
- Case Conference Appointment: 1.5 hours
Minor Client
- Intake Appointment (parents only) - 1.5 hours
- Two to Three Assessment Sessions - 3 hours for each appointment
- School Observations or school consultation may be arranged at a later date for an additional fee
- Feedback Appointment (parents only) - 1.5 hours
- From start to finish, the assessment process usually takes between 2 to 3 weeks to complete.
- Child Client: during this appointment, parents will be provided detailed information about the assessment process, authorize informed consent and complete the background interview for the clinician to begin learning about the child’s strengths and weaknesses.
- Adult Client: during this appointment you will be provided detailed information about the assessment process, give informed consent, complete the background interview and begin the assessment process.