PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT

All children develop at different rates. Every brain is unique and not all children learn the same way. A psychological assessment is used to understand more about an individual's functioning, behaviour, learning, strengths, and needs. Areas assessed include intelligence, memory, academic abilities, attention, concentration, executive functions, behaviours, functional life skills, visual-motor skills, and social-emotional functioning. 

Understanding your child’s strengths and needs through a psychological assessment is an important step to determining which accommodations and supports will help them be successful at any age.

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In school-aged children and adolescents, teachers may recommend a psychological assessment, which they often refer to as a psychoeducational assessment, for students who are struggling at school. Young people with an undiagnosed condition that is negatively impacting their success often display the following:

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• ​Have trouble recognizing letter names, letter sounds, and numbers.

• Have difficulty spelling, reading, or transferring thoughts to written form.

• Struggle to stay on task, get organized, or manage their time effectively.

• Are disruptive in class and have difficulty self-regulating their behaviour.

• Become hyper-focused on one thing and are unable to focus on anything else.

• Have difficulty learning basic intellectual, social, or behavioural skills.

• Become frustrated when trying to learn basic new skills.

• Have difficulty following instructions or directions.

• Are anxious about school, tests, speaking up in class, and social settings.

• Struggle with self esteem and engage in negative self-talk.