Psychoeducational and ADHD Assessments
If your child is struggling with reading, writing, math, or staying focused in school, a psychoeducational assessment can help clarify the underlying factors and identify the supports that will be most effective. It provides a detailed understanding of how your child learns, where their strengths lie, and what may be affecting progress.
What the Assessment Involves
An initial consultation is required to determine whether a psychoeducational assessment is the appropriate next step. When recommended, the assessment helps build a clear understanding of how your child learns and where support is needed. Testing is completed in a structured, supportive environment and is tailored to your child’s age and needs.
A review of your child’s developmental, academic, and learning history
One-on-one standardized cognitive and academic testing
Input from parents, and when appropriate, teachers or school reports
A feedback session to review results, diagnoses, and recommendations
When a Psychoeducational Assessment Is Helpful
A psychoeducational assessment may be helpful when a child is experiencing any of these concerns, or when families and schools need greater diagnostic clarity to guide appropriate academic supports.
- Persistent school difficulties despite effort
- Unexpected underperformance compared to ability
- Concerns about attention, focus, or organization
- Frustration with reading, writing, or academic tasks
- A mismatch between effort and results
- Ongoing questions from parents or teachers about learning needs
- Anxiety while at school
- School refusal
Assessment and Support
ADHD Assessment
When indicated, based on the initial consultation, Dr. Barnsley conducts ADHD assessments to clarify attentional, behavioural, and executive functioning concerns, including organization, working memory, task initiation, emotional regulation, and sustained focus. Understanding whether ADHD is part of the picture allows families and schools to respond more effectively.
Learning Differences Such as Dyslexia, Dysgraphia, and Giftedness
Dr. Barnsley’s work in learning differences allows her to identify specific challenges such as dyslexia, dysgraphia, and giftedness, as well as other learning profiles that may affect reading, writing, academic fluency, and confidence in the classroom.
Feedback Session
During the feedback session, Dr. Barnsley reviews the assessment findings with the family, explains any diagnoses or learning patterns identified, and discusses recommended supports and next steps. Families have an opportunity to ask questions and provide additional context before the written report is finalized.
Comprehensive Report
Once the feedback process is complete, families receive a detailed written report incorporating the assessment findings and relevant information discussed during the feedback appointment. The report outlines any diagnoses, learning profile, and personalized recommendations, and can be shared with schools, healthcare providers, or other professionals involved in the child’s care.
School Accommodations and IEP Support
This documentation can be used by schools to support Individualized Education Program (IEP) planning, classroom accommodations, testing support, and other school-based interventions that help students succeed.
Follow-Up Support After Diagnosis
Assessment is only the first step. Ongoing follow-up consultations are available to help families understand recommendations, communicate with schools, and adjust supports as academic demands change over time.