Assessments

Psychoeducational Assessment

What is a Psychoeducational Assessment?

A psychoeducational assessment is a comprehensive evaluation that helps to understand how a child learns, thinks, and processes information. It’s often recommended when a child is struggling in school, showing signs of learning difficulties, or when parents and/or teachers want a clearer picture of a child’s strengths and challenges.

What Does It Involve?
The assessment includes a variety of activities and tests designed to understand how your child learns and processes information. It looks at areas such as:

Cognitive abilities (thinking and reasoning skills): How your child solves problems, remembers information, and focuses attention.
Academic skills: Reading, writing, spelling, and math.
Processing skills: How your child takes in and uses information—for example, listening, visual learning, and working speed.
Social and emotional factors: Feelings such as anxiety, frustration, or low confidence can affect learning, so these may be explored as well.

The process usually involves meeting with parents and sometimes teachers, doing one-on-one testing with the child, and reviewing background information like school reports.

Why is it Helpful?
The results give a clear picture of your child’s unique learning profile—where they shine and where they may need extra support. With this information, we can:

Identify learning disorders (such as dyslexia, ADHD, or other challenges).
Provide recommendations for school supports, accommodations, or strategies.
Guide parents and teachers in helping the child succeed both academically and emotionally.

What You Can Expect
Once the assessment is complete, you’ll receive a detailed written report and we'll have a feedback meeting to discuss the results. This gives you practical strategies to support your child’s learning and wellbeing.

ADHD Assessment

What is an ADHD Assessment?

An ADHD assessment is a comprehensive evaluation that helps us understand your child’s attention, activity level, and self-regulation. It’s often recommended when a child has ongoing difficulties with focus, organization, impulsivity, or restlessness, and when parents or teachers want clarity about whether ADHD may be playing a role.

What Does It Involve?
The assessment combines different tools and sources of information to build a complete picture of your child’s strengths and challenges. It may include:

Interviews with parents (and sometimes teachers): To understand how your child manages daily life at home and at school.
Standardized questionnaires: Completed by parents and teachers to measure attention, impulsivity, and activity level.
Review of background information: Such as school reports, previous assessments, or medical history.

Why is it Helpful?
The results of an ADHD assessment provide clarity and direction. With this information, we can:

Determine whether ADHD is contributing to the difficulties your child is experiencing.
Identify other factors that may be involved.
Provide recommendations for supports and accommodations at school and at home.
Suggest practical strategies to help with focus, organization, and emotional wellbeing.

What You Can Expect
Once the assessment is complete, you’ll receive a detailed written report and we'll have a feedback meeting to discuss the results. This gives you a clear understanding of the results and practical steps for moving forward—whether that’s classroom accommodations, parenting strategies, or referrals for additional support if needed.

Assessment Process

Free 15-Minute Phone Consultation
A brief call to discuss your concerns, answer questions, and determine whether an assessment is the right next step.
Parent Interview
A meeting to gather background information about your child’s development, learning, and areas of concern.
Assessment Sessions with Your Child
One-on-one sessions where your child completes a variety of activities and tasks designed to understand their learning and thinking profile.
Parent and Teacher Questionnaires
Parents and teachers complete short forms to share their observations and insights about your child’s behaviour and learning.
Report Writing
The assessment results are carefully reviewed and summarized in a detailed report outlining findings, diagnoses (if applicable), and recommendations for support.
Parent Feedback Meeting
A final meeting to review the results, discuss recommendations, and answer any questions.

Assessment Questions

How do I know if a psychoeducational assessment is right for my child?

A psychoeducational assessment can be helpful when you have questions about how your child learns, thinks, or performs at school. You may notice that your child is working hard but not making the progress you would expect, or that certain areas of learning seem much more difficult than others. You may also be considering an assessment because of concerns about a possible learning disability, questions about your child's strengths and learning profile, or a need for recommendations to support your child's learning at school.

You may want to consider an assessment if your child is experiencing:

Ongoing difficulties with reading, writing, or math
Trouble understanding or remembering information
Difficulty paying attention or staying focused
Challenges with organization, planning, or completing schoolwork
A significant difference between their abilities and their academic performance
Frustration, anxiety, or low confidence related to school

A child does not need to be failing school for an assessment to be useful. Some children work very hard to compensate for their difficulties, while others may have subtle challenges that aren't immediately obvious.

A psychoeducational assessment can provide a clearer picture of your child's strengths and areas of difficulty, help explain why they may be experiencing challenges, and provide practical recommendations to support their learning.

If you're unsure whether an assessment is appropriate, you don't need to figure that out on your own. I can help you determine whether a psychoeducational assessment is the right next step for your child based on your concerns and your child's individual needs.

How do I know if a ADHD assessment is right for my child?

An ADHD assessment may be helpful if you have ongoing concerns about your child's attention, activity level, impulsivity, or ability to manage everyday tasks at home or school. You may notice that these difficulties are affecting your child's learning, relationships, confidence, or day-to-day functioning. You may also be considering an assessment because of concerns about ADHD raised by a parent, teacher, physician, or other professional.

You may want to consider an ADHD assessment if your child is experiencing:

Difficulty paying attention or staying focused
Frequently forgetting instructions or responsibilities
Trouble starting or finishing tasks
Difficulty staying organized or managing schoolwork
Frequently losing or misplacing things
Excessive restlessness or difficulty sitting still
Impulsive behaviour or difficulty waiting their turn
Interrupting or acting before thinking
Difficulty managing emotions or frustration

It's also important to know that attention difficulties don't necessarily mean that a child has ADHD. Similar challenges can sometimes be related to learning difficulties, anxiety, stress, sleep, or other factors. An assessment looks at the bigger picture to better understand what may be contributing to your child's difficulties.

An ADHD assessment can help clarify whether your child's difficulties are consistent with ADHD and provide a better understanding of their strengths, challenges, and support needs.

If you're unsure whether an ADHD assessment is appropriate, you don't need to figure that out on your own. An initial conversation can help determine whether an assessment is the right next step for your child.

What shoud I bring to my child's assessment?

To help make the assessment as useful as possible, it can be helpful to bring any information that may provide context about your child's development, learning, or current concerns. You don't need to have everything listed below. Bring what you have available and what is relevant to your child's situation.

Depending on the assessment, this may include:

Previous psychological or psychoeducational assessment reports
School report cards
Individualized education or learning support plans
Information about previous or current interventions or supports
Relevant medical or developmental information
A list of current medications
Contact information for your child's teacher or school

For an ADHD assessment, information from both home and school can be particularly helpful in understanding how your child is functioning across different settings.

You don't need to worry about gathering everything before your appointment. If there is specific information we need, I will let you know. The most important thing is to come prepared to share your concerns and your observations about your child's strengths and challenges.

Will you explain the results to me?

Yes. We will review the assessment results together, and I will explain the findings in clear, easy-to-understand language. We will discuss your child's strengths, areas of difficulty, and any diagnoses or learning concerns identified through the assessment.

Will recommendations be provided?

Yes. Recommendations will be provided based on your child's individual strengths, needs, and assessment results. Recommendations may include strategies and supports for home and school, as well as suggestions for further resources or services when appropriate.

Can I send my assessment report with a school, doctor, or another professional?

Yes. You can choose to share your assessment report with your child's school, doctor, or another professional involved in their care or support.

Do I need a referral?

No, you do not need a referral to book a psychological assessment. You can contact me directly to discuss your child's needs and determine whether an assessment is appropriate.

Are psychological assessments covered by insurnace?

Coverage for psychological assessments varies depending on your insurance plan. Some extended health benefit plans may provide coverage for psychological assessment services. I recommend checking with your insurance provider before booking to confirm your coverage and any requirements for reimbursement.

I can provide a detailed receipt for you to submit to your insurance provider.

Do I need to pay the full assessment fee upfront?

No. The full assessment fee does not need to be paid upfront. I offer flexible payment options, and we can discuss a payment schedule that works for you at the time of booking.

What should I expect when I first contact you?

When you first contact me, we will discuss your concerns and what you are hoping to learn from an assessment. I will ask a few questions about your child and their current needs to help determine whether a psychoeducational or ADHD assessment may be appropriate.

I will also explain the assessment process, answer any questions you may have, and discuss next steps if we decide an assessment is a good fit.

How do I book an assessment?

To get started, you can book a consultation through Jane by pressing the link below or email me at denelle@oreillypsychology.com.

To learn more book a complimentary 15-minute telephone consultation below

Book a Consultation

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