Assessment
Psychological assessments examine an individual’s cognitive development, academic skills, and psychological functioning in order to better understand a client’s strengths and needs. Psychological assessments also uncover any diagnostic or learning style reasons for the difficulty an individual may be experiencing, as well as guide them towards appropriate evidence-based interventions.
Assessments identify such concerns as learning disabilities (LDs), giftedness, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), behavioural or disruptive disorders, and language disorders. Assessments can also determine mental health concerns such as anxiety and mood disorders.
Assessments are tailored to a client’s questions and goals. The assessment process includes an initial interview with the psychologist to better understand their specific concerns. A second session is scheduled that involves standardized testing and, in many cases, the completion of questionnaires. A detailed report is written by the psychologist that explains the information that has been gathered. The psychologist provides a copy of the report at a feedback meeting where results and recommendations are shared. The feedback session also provides an opportunity for the psychologist to answer any questions a client may have.
Assessment Types
We offer two types of psychological assessments: psychoeducational assessment and psychodiagnostic/mental health assessment.
Psychoeducational Assessments:
A psychoeducational assessment, sometimes referred to as a comprehensive psychological assessment, provides an overall picture of an individual’s strengths and areas of need related to school or work functioning. A psychoeducational assessment is also designed to make conclusions about any diagnoses that may be impacting an individual’s psychosocial functioning.
In our practice, a psychoeducational assessment includes aspects of learning and mental health that contribute to problems with learning, mood, emotional and behavioural functioning, as well as social skills and relationships. We routinely include mental health concerns and diagnoses related to learning challenges because they often interact with one another and can be difficult to tell apart. Furthermore, optimal recommendations can be made when all aspects of an individual’s functioning can be considered.
Psychodiagnostic/Mental Health Assessments:
A psychodiagnostic assessment or a mental health assessment is completed to better understand an individual’s current functioning from a social, emotional, developmental, personality, and mental health perspective. In most cases, a psychodiagnostic assessment is recommended for individuals who present with psychological concerns (e.g., anxiety, depression, behavioural or disruptive disorders, and attentional difficulties) in the absence of academic concerns.
However, the psychologist will discuss your specific concerns to ensure that cognitive and/or academic difficulties are not part of the clinical picture. In certain cases, a psychoeducational assessment may be more appropriate.