We offer a wide range of psychological assessments to identify the following types of difficulties or diagnoses:
- ADHD
- Learning Disabilities, including reading disorders (dyslexia), writing disorders (dysgraphia) and mathematics disorders (dyscalculia)
- Autism (Autism Spectrum Disorder)
- Developmental delays / Intellectual disabilities
- Sensory Processing Difficulties
- Auditory Processing Disorders
- Behavioural disorders
- Anxiety, Selective Mutism, OCD
- Depression
Additional Assessments are conducted for the purpose of:
- kindergarten derogations (see derogation information below)
- gifted assessment
- IEP development and planning
What is an Assessment
The term “psychological assessment” can be confusing as it is often used to refer to different aspects of a psychologist’s work. During any work with a client, a psychologist would perform a basic initial assessment which would including the initial interview and collection of relevant history. Based on this information and any additional data from observation or questionnaire, some initial impression or diagnostic conclusions could be drawn and a treatment plan is created with the client/family.
In contrast, a comprehensive psychological assessment or a psychoeducational assessment is a much more detailed evaluation that is typically used to determine the presence of learning disabilities, ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorders, Intellectual Disorders, etc. Additionally, a comprehensive assessment is often requested when there are a range of difficulties in the home and school environment, such as low academic functioning, difficulty with peers, behavioural problems, attention/memory issues, and the cause of these difficulties is being sought. Assessments can be useful to determine eligibility for special education or early intervention services as well as any accommodations that may be helpful to the child in meeting the educational requirements.
A psychological evaluation is tailored to the needs of the individual but may include the following depending on parent wishes and consent: interviews with parents/children/teachers, observation of a child in a classroom setting, completion of questionnaires by parents, caregivers, educators, and the child/adolescent, standardized measures including assessment of cognitive functioning, academic functioning, memory, attention, executive functioning, language, or social reciprocity.
A detailed report is produced that outlines the relevant history, observations, and results of the assessment including the child’s strengths and needs. Diagnostic conclusions are included as appropriate. Recommendations for home and school are also found in the report. The report belongs to the client/parents and is not shared with any one else without written permission.
See more information about psychoeducational assessments here: http://www.naspcenter.org/principals/nassp_evaluation.html
Our Psychological and Psychoeducational Assessment Process
At The Secure Child, we take a thoughtful, comprehensive approach to psychological and psychoeducational assessments. Each step is designed to help us understand your child’s unique strengths, challenges, and needs—so we can provide meaningful, evidence-based recommendations for support at home and school.
Here’s what you can expect:
1. Parent Intake Meeting (1 hour)
We begin with a detailed conversation with parents or caregivers to understand your child’s history, current challenges, and goals for the assessment. This helps us tailor the process to your child’s specific needs. (This intake can also be done virtually if preferred)
2. Individual Testing Sessions (2–3 sessions, about 2 hours each)
Your child participates in a series of one-on-one testing sessions in a supportive, engaging environment. Depending on the referral question, this may include:
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- Cognitive assessment – measures how your child thinks, reasons, and processes different types of information.
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- Academic assessment – explores reading, writing, and math skills to understand how your child learns (if needed).
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- Additional testing – may include memory, language, executive functioning, attention, or social-emotional assessment.
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- Autism assessment – for autism evaluations, we include interactive activities that help us understand social communication, play, relationships, and interests.
Each assessment is customized to your child’s profile—so we only include the tests that are relevant to your concerns.
3. Questionnaires
Parents, and ideally teachers, complete standardized questionnaires to provide valuable insights into your child’s daily functioning across different settings.
4. Review of Background Information
We review school report cards, previous assessments, and any relevant reports from speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists, or other professionals to ensure a complete understanding of your child’s development.
5. Analysis and Interpretation
All data are carefully analyzed and interpreted by our clinicians and in collaboration with our clinic director, Dr. Tamara Soles, to create a comprehensive picture of your child’s learning and emotional profile.
6. Feedback Meeting
We meet with parents to review the results in clear, understandable language. Together, we discuss key findings and create an action plan for how to best support your child moving forward—at home, school, and beyond. We also offer to meet with your child to share the feedback in a strengths-based way that your child can understand.
7. Comprehensive Written Report
You receive a detailed, formal report summarizing the assessment results, diagnostic impressions (if applicable), and individualized recommendations and strategies. If your child is eligible for services from their school, parents should provide at a minimum, the summary and recommendations of the report to their school to initiate services such as an Individualized Education Plan (IEP.
School Derogations
In Quebec, children are typically eligible to begin kindergarten if they turn 5 years old before September 30th of the school year. Families with children born after this cutoff date may wish to consider a derogation assessment, which is a special evaluation to determine if early entry to kindergarten is appropriate.
What is a Derogation Assessment?
A derogation assessment is a comprehensive evaluation that examines whether a child is developmentally ready to start kindergarten one year earlier than the standard schedule. These assessments follow criteria established by the Ministry of Education and consider both cognitive ability and social-emotional readiness.
Is a Derogation Right for My Child?
While derogation may be appropriate for a small number of children, it is not recommended for most. Starting school early can place additional academic, social, and emotional demands on young children, and these demands persist throughout their school years. For some children, however, early entry may be a good fit when advanced learning needs are paired with strong emotional regulation, flexibility, and readiness to navigate a classroom with older peers. The goal of the assessment is to help families make a thoughtful, informed decision that considers both the present and the long term.
How Does the Assessment Work?
Derogation assessments are typically completed in March, as Ministry scoring criteria are based on children being evaluated at this time of year. The process includes several components:
Cognitive Evaluation
Children must meet a minimum IQ score and demonstrate consistent performance across cognitive domains, including a minimum verbal language score. Results are interpreted relative to the average age of children entering kindergarten. This means a child born shortly after the cutoff (for example, in October) must perform at the level of children approximately six months older, while children born later in the year face even higher comparative expectations.
School Readiness
In addition to cognitive skills, the assessment examines social-emotional development. Children should demonstrate age-appropriate emotional regulation, adaptability, and resilience, and should not be experiencing significant challenges with anxiety or managing strong emotions.
Long-Term Considerations
When children are assessed before age six, some may score very highly due to early-emerging strengths in areas such as language or reasoning. As children grow and receive more similar learning experiences, these early differences often narrow over time, a natural developmental pattern known as regression toward the mean. This does not mean a child loses ability or that the assessment is inaccurate; rather, early scores reflect current strengths rather than guaranteed long-term academic separation. Families should also consider the ongoing impact of being younger than classmates, including social development and later milestones such as puberty. These factors are not barriers but are important to weigh carefully when considering early entry.
What is the Process?
If, after considering all factors, you wish to proceed with a derogation assessment, our process includes:
- Intake Meeting: Consultation with parents to discuss goals and gather background information.
- Child Assessment Session: One-on-one evaluation with your child.
- Questionnaires: Completed by parents and, ideally, educators.
- Feedback & Report: Results are shared with families, and a comprehensive report is provided.
Fees
The fee for a derogation assessment is $1300.
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