Psychological Assessment Services
"An assessment is a deep dive into how a person learns, thinks, and processes information. It's not about labelling; it's about understanding and empowering our clients to thrive." |
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Get Clarity, Get Answers and Get Support
Here's how our Child Assessment process works at Healthy Minds:
1. Our office will set up a time for a brief intake call to better understand your needs and book your assessment appointments with one of our Registered Psychologists. You can also book an intake call using our online booking site.
2. We will ask you to provide copies of previous assessments, report cards and any other documents that may be helpful for the Psychologist to review. They will review these before your first appointment.
3. The parent(s) will attend a 1 to 2-hour intake appointment, (virtually or in-person) with the Psychologist to learn more about their concerns and assessment questions.
4. Where applicable, we will set up a time to observe your child at school or daycare to get a sense of their behaviour and interactions with others outside of a clinical setting. This will be discussed in more detail at the intake appointment if necessary.
5. You child will complete assessment sessions with the Psychologist. The amount of assessment time needed may vary, but we typically break this up into 3 sessions that are 2 hours each.
6. The parent(s) meet with the Psychologist (virtually or in-person) to talk about the results of the assessment as well as recommendations for next steps. If desired by the parents, the child/adolescent can also attend this meeting.
7. When requested by parents, the psychologist meets with the child/adolescent for a child-friendly meeting to discuss strengths, diagnosis (if applicable) and supports for the future.
8. The parent(s) will receive a comprehensive report with a summary of the test results, details about any diagnoses (if applicable), recommendations, and strategies specifically tailored to your child's needs.
Here's how our Child Assessment process works at Healthy Minds:
1. Our office will set up a time for a brief intake call to better understand your needs and book your assessment appointments with one of our Registered Psychologists. You can also book an intake call using our online booking site.
2. We will ask you to provide copies of previous assessments, report cards and any other documents that may be helpful for the Psychologist to review. They will review these before your first appointment.
3. The parent(s) will attend a 1 to 2-hour intake appointment, (virtually or in-person) with the Psychologist to learn more about their concerns and assessment questions.
4. Where applicable, we will set up a time to observe your child at school or daycare to get a sense of their behaviour and interactions with others outside of a clinical setting. This will be discussed in more detail at the intake appointment if necessary.
5. You child will complete assessment sessions with the Psychologist. The amount of assessment time needed may vary, but we typically break this up into 3 sessions that are 2 hours each.
6. The parent(s) meet with the Psychologist (virtually or in-person) to talk about the results of the assessment as well as recommendations for next steps. If desired by the parents, the child/adolescent can also attend this meeting.
7. When requested by parents, the psychologist meets with the child/adolescent for a child-friendly meeting to discuss strengths, diagnosis (if applicable) and supports for the future.
8. The parent(s) will receive a comprehensive report with a summary of the test results, details about any diagnoses (if applicable), recommendations, and strategies specifically tailored to your child's needs.
Here's how our Adult assessment process works at Healthy Minds
1. Our office will set up a time for a brief intake call to better understand your needs and book your assessment appointments with one of our Registered Psychologists. You can also book an intake call using our online booking site.
2. We will ask you to provide copies of previous assessments, and any other documents that may be helpful for the Psychologist to review. They will review these before your first appointment.
3. You attend a 2-hour intake appointment, (virtually or in-person) with the Psychologist to learn more about your concerns and assessment questions.
5. You complete assessment sessions with the Psychologist. The amount of assessment time needed may vary, but we typically break this up into 1-2 sessions that are 2 hours each.
6. You meet with the Psychologist (virtually or in-person) to talk about the results of the assessment as well as recommendations for next steps.
7. You receive a comprehensive report with a summary of the test results, details about any diagnoses (if applicable), recommendations, and strategies specifically tailored to your needs.
1. Our office will set up a time for a brief intake call to better understand your needs and book your assessment appointments with one of our Registered Psychologists. You can also book an intake call using our online booking site.
2. We will ask you to provide copies of previous assessments, and any other documents that may be helpful for the Psychologist to review. They will review these before your first appointment.
3. You attend a 2-hour intake appointment, (virtually or in-person) with the Psychologist to learn more about your concerns and assessment questions.
5. You complete assessment sessions with the Psychologist. The amount of assessment time needed may vary, but we typically break this up into 1-2 sessions that are 2 hours each.
6. You meet with the Psychologist (virtually or in-person) to talk about the results of the assessment as well as recommendations for next steps.
7. You receive a comprehensive report with a summary of the test results, details about any diagnoses (if applicable), recommendations, and strategies specifically tailored to your needs.
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Please note, online booking is not available for assessments.
If you are looking to book an assessment, please book a free virtual intake call with your chosen provider, and they can assist with appointment set up. Alternatively, you can send us an email or call our office and we will contact you as soon as possible to set up your appointment series. |
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Our Registered Psychologists assess for a number of mental health disorders and provide tailored recommendations to help your child thrive. Follow the links below for more details about different assessment areas.
Autism Spectrum Disorder is a neurodevelopmental disorder that includes social communication and social interaction challenges as well as restricted and repetitive patterns of behaviour, interests or activities. High-functioning autism is a term that has been used to describe individuals on the autism spectrum who have fewer or less intense symptoms of autism and may have strong intellectual abilities or higher language skills. Although high-functioning autism is not an official medical term, it can be used to describe people who, while still experiencing challenges related to autism, are able to function relatively well in day-to-day life. Those with autism may also have strengths including their attention to detail and problem-solving.
Key characteristics of autism can include:
Social Interaction Challenges:
Key characteristics of autism can include:
Social Interaction Challenges:
- People with high-functioning autism might struggle with social cues and understanding emotions. For example, they may have difficulty reading body language or facial expressions, which can make it hard to understand when someone is happy, sad, or upset.
- They may find it hard to make or maintain friendships, or prefer to spend time alone rather than in social groups.
- While individuals with high-functioning autism can often speak well and have strong vocabularies, they might still find certain aspects of communication challenging. This can include:
- Taking things too literally (e.g., not understanding sarcasm or jokes).
- Trouble with back-and-forth conversation, sometimes speaking at length about topics they’re interested in without noticing if the other person is engaged.
- Difficulty in understanding non-verbal communication, like tone of voice or gestures.
- People with high-functioning autism may have intense, focused interests in specific subjects, sometimes “special interests.” These might be areas like science, history, or technology, and they may spend a lot of time reading or talking about them.
- They might engage in repetitive behaviors or routines, like needing things to be in a certain order or following a set routine each day. Changes in these routines can sometimes lead to stress or anxiety.
- Many individuals with high-functioning autism have sensory sensitivities. This means they may be more sensitive to lights, sounds, textures, or smells. For example, they might find bright lights or loud noises overwhelming or distracting.
- Some individuals may seek out certain sensory experiences, like a preference for certain fabrics or repetitive movements.
ADHD stands for Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder that involves a persistent pattern of difficulties with inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity that interferes with an individual's daily functioning or development. It is a condition that affects how people think, focus, and behave. Individuals with ADHD may find it harder to pay attention, sit still, or control their impulses. In addition to these areas of difficulty, those with ADHD often have a number of strengths including creativity, energy, and resilience with persisting through challenges.
Key characteristics of ADHD can include:
Trouble Paying Attention:
Types of ADHD: There are three main types of ADHD, depending on which symptoms are most noticeable:
Key characteristics of ADHD can include:
Trouble Paying Attention:
- Individuals with ADHD often have difficulty focusing on one thing for a long time. They might get distracted easily by noises, thoughts, or things happening around them.
- It may be harder to follow through on tasks, like finishing homework, reading a book, or even completing everyday activities like cleaning or organizing.
- Impulsivity involves acting without thinking. For example, someone with ADHD might interrupt others in conversation, say things they didn’t mean, or make decisions quickly without considering the consequences.
- Hyperactivity involves the need to be in constant motion. Children with ADHD may be always on the go, fidgeting, or running around. Adults with ADHD may feel restless or have trouble relaxing.
Types of ADHD: There are three main types of ADHD, depending on which symptoms are most noticeable:
- Inattentive Type: The main issue involves marked difficulties focusing and paying attention.
- Hyperactive-Impulsive Type: The main challenges involve hyperactivity or impulsivity, without as many challenges with paying attention.
- Combined Type: This is when someone has both inattention challenges with hyperactivity or impulsivity.
Specific Learning Disorders (SLDs) are a group of neurodevelopmental disorders that affect one’s ability to learn and use academic skills, despite being provided with adequate instruction and cognitive abilities. People with a specific learning disorder have difficulty in certain areas, like reading, writing, or math, even though they may be capable in other areas.
Specific Learning Disorder with impairment in Reading / Dyslexia
Specific Learning Disorder with impairment in mathematics / Dyscalculia
Specific Learning Disorder with impairment in written expression / Dysgraphia
General Features of Specific Learning Disorders include:
Specific Learning Disorder with impairment in Reading / Dyslexia
- Individuals with a specific learning disorder in reading may have difficulty reading, even though they can understand spoken language and have normal intelligence. Their struggles are often with:
- Word reading accuracy
- Reading rate or fluency
- Reading comprehension
- Signs that a specific learning disorder in reading may be present:
- Difficulty recognizing words.
- Trouble understanding what they’ve read.
- Slow or effortful reading.
Specific Learning Disorder with impairment in mathematics / Dyscalculia
- Individuals with a specific learning disorder in mathematics may have dififculties with understanding and working with numbers. They may face challenges with basic math skills, like addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division, and may have trouble understanding math concepts overall.
- Signs that a specific learning disorder in math may be present:
- Difficulty with fluent or accurate math calculations
- Difficulties with accurate math reasoning
- Difficulty understanding basic math symbols (like +, –, =).
- Trouble remembering math facts (like multiplication tables).
- Struggling with number sense and concepts like time, money, or measuring.
Specific Learning Disorder with impairment in written expression / Dysgraphia
- Individuals with a specific learning disorder in written expression may have challenges with writing clearly or with organizing their thoughts on paper. The challenges that are faced are beyond poor handwriting and often invovle the entire process of writing, from thinking of ideas to putting them down on paper.
- Signs that a specific learning disorder in written expression may be present:
- Difficulties with spelling accuracy
- Challenges with clarity or organization of writing
- Difficulties with grammar and punctuation accuracy
General Features of Specific Learning Disorders include:
- Individuals with specific learning disorders usually have normal intelligence, and they often excel in other areas, like problem-solving or creative thinking. The problem is specific to certain types of learning (like reading, writing, or math).
- Persistent challenges: These difficulties are long-lasting and continue even with extra help or tutoring. They can affect a person’s success in school or in their career.
- Impact on daily life: Learning disorders can make everyday tasks harder, like reading instructions, managing money, or even writing emails. However, with the right support and accommodations, many people with specific learning disorders can succeed.
A gifted/talented child shows exceptional ability or talent in one or more areas, such as learning, problem-solving, creativity, or specific subjects like math, reading, or art. Gifted students often learn faster than their peers and may have a deep interest in certain topics, sometimes even at a young age. Signs of giftedness include:
Presenting with Advanced Thinking Skills
Presenting with Advanced Thinking Skills
- Gifted students often think in more complex ways than others their age. They may ask insightful questions or come up with creative solutions to problems that others might not think of.
- They can understand abstract concepts or ideas that are usually introduced later in school, like advanced math or scientific theories.
- These students can learn new information quickly and easily, often grasping ideas after hearing or seeing them only a few times.
- They might finish assignments or tasks faster than their peers, and may need more challenging work to stay engaged and motivated.
- Gifted students often have a strong interest or passion for specific subjects. They may dive deeply into topics like space, animals, technology, or history, and seek out books, videos, or experiences to learn more about them.
- Their curiosity drives them to explore and learn on their own, sometimes beyond what’s taught in school.
- Gifted students may think outside the box and come up with unique or innovative ideas, whether it’s in writing, art, science projects, or solving everyday problems.
- Their creativity can show up in many ways, such as designing something new, writing stories, or solving puzzles in unconventional ways.
- Intellectual Giftedness: Gifted students might show advanced reasoning skills, understand complex ideas early, and solve problems quickly.
- Creative Giftedness: They may excel in the arts, music, or creative writing, coming up with new ideas or unique ways to express themselves.
- Academic Giftedness: Some gifted students are especially talented in subjects like math, reading, science, or history and may quickly master concepts that typically take longer to learn.
