How it Works

Firstly, what brings you here?

Below are some common reasons for testing and assessment and details about the assessment process

  • This type of assessment is used to identify specific learning disorders in reading, writing, or mathematics.

    These were previously called dyslexia, dysgraphia, and discalculia, respectively.

    The assessment is tailored to the referral question, but typically involves:

    • Parent interview (in person or online)

    • School teacher interview (via phone or written feedback)

    • Cognitive assessment (WISC-V)

    • Achievement assessment (WIAT-III, as required to assess areas of strength and difficulty)

    • Comprehensive report

    • Feedback session with parent (in person or online)

  • This type of assessment is used to identify intellectual disability (or global developmental delay for children under 5).

    This diagnosis applies to children who have deficits in both intellectual functioning (e.g., learning and problem solving) as well as adaptive functioning (e.g., communication, activities of daily living).

    The assessment is tailored to the referral question, but typically involves:

    • Parent interview (in person or online)

    • School teacher interview (via phone or written feedback)

    • Cognitive assessment (WISC-V)

    • Achievement assessment (WIAT-III, as required to rule out specific learning disorder)

    • Adaptive functioning assessment (Vineland-3)

    • Comprehensive report

    • Feedback session with parent (in person or online)

  • This type of assessment is used to identify or rule out ADHD, as well as screen for other issues that might contribute to the issue (e.g., oppositional defiant disorder, conduct disorder, learning difficulties, depression, anxiety)

    The assessment is tailored to the referral question, but typically involves:

    • Parent interview (in person or online)

    • School teacher interview (via phone or written feedback)

    • Cognitive assessment (WISC-V)

    • Behavioural assessment (Connors-4, Child Behaviour Checklist, Vineland-3)

    • Comprehensive report

    • Feedback session with parent (in person or online)

  • This type of assessment is used to identify giftedness. Whether or not a child is technically “gifted”, this assessment may help a school decide whether a child should skip a grade or be given other accommodations to improve their school experience and foster their abilities.

    The assessment is tailored to the referral question, but typically involves:

    • Parent interview (in person or online)

    • School teacher interview (via phone or written feedback)

    • Cognitive assessment (WISC-V)

    • Achievement assessment (WIAT-III, as required)

    • Comprehensive report

    • Feedback session with parent (in person or online)

How does the process work?

1) Get in touch

Click on Enquire Now and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible. You’ll get an intake form to fill out some more details to help prepare David for your initial assessment. We’ll also ask you to provide information such as previous psychology/speech/OT reports, school reports, and anything else you think might be useful.

2) Attend an initial assessment

You’ll be invited in for a 60-90 minute initial assessment where you can explain your concerns in detail and answer some questions too. At the conclusion of this we’ll provide a quote, and if you’re happy, schedule in the required tests.

3) A little bit of homework

Part of the assessment process for children is having the parent and a teacher complete some norm-referenced surveys. These help us compare the child’s behaviour and functioning to the average child of their age or grade. These will usually be online and can be done in your own time.

4) Attend a feedback appointment

Once the testing process is complete, David will write a report and invite you in for a feedback session to explain the results and recommendations. This will usually last about 60 minutes to give you a chance to ask questions. You’ll be given a copy of the report in digital and/or paper form.

What to expect (and what to tell your child)

At the start of a testing appointment, David will explain what's going to happen and give you a chance to ask any questions.

Children (and adults!) will be relieved to hear that there is nothing they can do to study or prepare for each test - just turn up and do your best.

You can tell your child that we’ll be doing some fun things like playing with blocks and answering questions. Also, many of the tests involve using an iPad.

We can take breaks for food and drink too!