Sometimes we start to think about assessments when we as parents are feeling overwhelmed interacting with our children, wondering if something is wrong with ourselves or the child. Sometimes we recognize we have consistently struggled in our lives and just want an answer. And sometimes it’s because someone else said, “Hey, maybe something is going on here you want to get checked out.” Here are some other signs to look for if you are considering assessment:

• Not keeping up with peers
• Seeing delays
• Grades are slipping
• It’s harder to concentrate or stay on task
• Teachers or others are commenting about issues/observations

There is good news… once you know about something, then strategies can be used to cope. As with most things, the earlier you find out, the better. And something to keep in mind is you will typically get a more accurate result if you or the child is not super stressed while completing the testing. So, you will want to find an environment that promotes this response.

Why are Assessments helpful?

Assessments can be helpful for a variety of reasons including but not limited to:
• Greater access to funding for special needs in and outside of the school system
• To diagnose and increase our understanding of disorders
• Speed up the diagnosis process for those who need help right away and can’t afford to sit on a waitlist for up to a year or more
• Provide you with insight into your or your child’s needs and guide treatment

We understand that assessments cannot always be accessible due to the cost. However, psychological services such as assessments are typically covered by insurance under health benefits and through extended health coverage. In addition, coverage for assessment can also be accessed through government-sponsored agencies, including both Veterans Affairs and Children’s Services. If you have any questions about accessing funding, please contact your insurance agency, or reach out to us for guidance on potential avenues that you can pursue to access funding for psychological services.

What assessments do we offer?

At Dochas, we offer primarily Psychoeducational and Academic assessments including:
• Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children -V
• Wechsler Individual Achievement Test -III
• Behaviour Assessment System for Children -3
• Feifer Assessment for Writing
• Feifer Assessment for Reading
• Feifer Assessment for Mathematics
• Vineland
• Conners-3

Assessments can include assessment of EQ (Emotional Intelligence), IQ (Intelligence Quotient), attention difficulties, and elements of personality that are often of concern. These assessments provide us with the capacity to assess and diagnose disorders including but not limited to:

• Autism Spectrum Disorder
• Cognitive Delays
• Learning Disorders
• Attention-Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder
• Developmental Disorders
• Behavioural Disorders
• Communication/ Social Disorders