ASSESSMENTS

AVAILABLE JANUARY 2025

WHAT IS A PSYCHOEDUCATIONAL ASSESSMENT?

An assessment uses multiple standardized measures to create an in-depth profile of your child and how they are doing across a range of domains, including their cognitive, emotional, and academic functioning, in order to help clarify specifically where they are struggling. We do in-person testing with the child, as well as gather data from the parents and teachers. Our assessments are tailored to the child’s presenting challenges and concerns. 

Thrive’s approach to assessments is that they should not be cold, medical-oriented documents - we are painting a holistic picture of a child or teen, and we are doing a deep dive into the individual’s strengths, abilities, and resources; we are looking to pinpoint specific areas of need and provide responsive and personalized strategies and interventions for home and school. An assessment can provide answers and guidance for families and school staff related to:

  • Intellectual and cognitive functioning

  • Contributing behavioural or emotional issues

  • Learning needs or learning disabilities 

  • Individualized program planning (IPP/IEP support)

WHEN MIGHT A CHILD NEED AN ASSESSMENT?

Any child or teen can benefit from having an assessment done, however there are times when our kids experience major challenges or disruptions in different areas, such as:

  • Struggling with academic concepts and material, especially when they were previously doing well

  • Displaying atypical or maladaptive behaviour at school, home, and/or in the community

  • Issues with emotional regulation or social-emotional learning

WHO BENEFITS FROM AN ASSESSMENT?

In short - everyone! While an assessment is primarily about the individual and their abilities, the people on the person’s support team also benefit from assessments. Parents, teachers, and community members all benefit from having a clearer understanding of the child or youth’s strengths and weaknesses. Psychological assessments help identify areas of strength and weakness; they can also provide strategies and ideas for supporting the child in the school, home, and community.

WHAT IS INVOLVED IN THE ASSESSMENT PROCESS?

  • A 1 hour parent meeting/consultation with a psychologist to gather background information to identify the appropriate assessment tools. We ask that parents complete an intake form before the meeting. School staff can complete the school form after the consultation. 

  • 2-6 hours for in-person testing with the child/teen at our office.

  • We gather data from the parents and school report questionnaires along with the testing results to create a comprehensive report that provides detailed, specific, and relevant recommendations and strategies for both home and school.

  • Final meeting to debrief the assessment results, you will also have the opportunity to ask questions. Debriefs are focused on teaching you more about your child’s strengths and areas of need, and provides individualized strategies. School staff/administration are also welcome to attend the debrief as well. The report can also be submitted to the school to be kept with the child’s cumulative record.

  • The entire process can take between 4-6 weeks.