Psychoeducational Assessments

If you are concerned about your child’s learning, behaviour, or emotional well-being, a Psychoeducational Assessment may help find you some answers, recommendations, resources, and some peace of mind. 

A Psychoeducational Assessment seeks to find out how your child learns and processes information, which can often be implicated in how a child behaves and feels.  We learn as much as we can about a child  by conducting a variety of tests which measure things like intelligence, language, phonological/sound processing, memory, speed, fine-motor skills, and academic skills; interviews, observations, standardized and informal questionnaires and measures are also completed. Please note: the selection of Assessment tools is tailored to meet your child’s individual needs, based on your child’s age, reported concerns, preliminary findings, and reason for referral.   

Assessments are typically completed in a comfortable home or office setting which includes fun break times and activities for children of all ages.  Assessments are completed in English. 

With the required clinical supervision in place as required by the Ontario College of Psychologists*, we Assess and may diagnose* things such as learning and intellectual disabilities, ADHD, and anxiety. We also conduct intellectual testing in order to determine if a student meets criteria for gifted programming, as well as Assessments to determine eligibility for various government or helpful funding initiatives (e.g., Disability Tax Credit, DSO, OSAP funding etc.).  Psychoeducational Assessments are Psychological in nature, and are therefore a professional health-regulated, comprehensive service which examines numerous areas of one’s functioning through conducting a variety of standardized and qualitative measures.

*Please note: All diagnoses are communicated to parents directly by the supervising Registered Psychologist involved in the Assessment process. Scott Gosse, M.A., C.Psych., among others, work directly with Shawna to oversee all aspects of the Assessment process from start to finish. Shawna will also discuss outcomes with parents and those involved in great detail.  

2 to 3 student sessions with students are required for the Assessment, and each session is typically 3-4 hours or so in length. Prior to the Assessment, parents or guardians will meet or speak with Shawna directly about their concerns and the child's history. Informed consent will also be reviewed and obtained prior to the Assessment with parents/guardians, which includes reviewing things like the risks and benefits, alternative ways you may be able to receive help, cost, health privacy, confidentiality, and the role and contact information of the supervising Psychologist involved. 

Once the Assessment is done, all materials will be scored and a comprehensive report will be written.  A feedback meeting will then be scheduled with you to help you understand the findings and recommendations, and you will be asked to book a time to meet or speak with Scott Gosse, supervising Psychologist, who will communicate the given diagnosis with you and provide you with an opportunity for you to share about the Assessment process.   Please note: As the feedback meeting is often very helpful for school staff and for creating an appropriate IEP, we welcome the opportunity to host this meeting in your child’s school. However, our findings are never shared with school staff or anyone without your permission. From start to finish, our current timeline is approximately 4 weeks, assuming all questionnaires are promptly returned by teachers and parents.   

Psychoeducational Assessments typically involve approximately 17 hours or so of Psychological services from start to finish; this includes in person testing appointments, parent interviews, emails and phone calls, scoring of test protocols and forms, report writing, feedback meetings, and the required supervisory and diagnostic consulting time.  Assessments are not covered by OHIP, and range from $3725 - $4000.   Should an augmented or partial Assessment be required, please contact Shawna directly to discuss your needs so an estimate can be provided to you.  

As all Assessments are conducted in consultation with & under the supervision of a registered Psychologist, you will make payment to the Psychologist involved in your child's case, and a signed receipt will be provided for you to submit to your insurance provider(s). If you have private insurance, you are encouraged to inquire about the specifics of your plan, and how much coverage you have for a Registered Psychologist, as you may be eligible for reimbursement. In anticipation of possible reimbursement, you may wish to contact your insurance provider to inquire about when your policy renews each year (which may be important to consider if your annual coverage is limited), if time spent with parents is covered, if there are any restrictions related to Psychological services or testing, and/or if there is a daily, session, or hourly maximum you are entitled to.   We are also happy to provide you with an estimate/sample receipt to submit to your provider, should you be unsure as to some of your policy details. Any out of pocket expenses for Psychological Services can be claimed on your taxes as a health expense.  OSAP funding also provides reimbursement for Psychoeducational Assessments, provided that the Assessment is completed no more than 6 months prior to when a student begins their program.  Given the cost of Assessments, we are happy to work with you to arrange a payment plan that is comfortable for you; we also accept credit cards and e-transfer payments, or a combination thereof. We do not accept personal checks or cash.