07/31/2026
If your child is struggling in school or you're finding it harder than expected to keep up with work or studies, you might be wondering what comes next. A psychoeducational assessment can help figure out what's going on and what supports might make things easier. Here's how the process works in Ontario, step by step. Step 1: Recognize the Signs and Define Your Goals The process starts when you notice something isn't quite working. For children, this might look like trouble with reading, staying focused, or keeping up with classmates. Teachers or your family doctor might bring up concerns, or you might notice challenges at home with homework, organization, or emotional regulation. For adults, it often shows up as lower-than-expected grades in post-secondary programs, difficulty managing workplace demands, or ongoing struggles with deadlines and organization. Many adults seek assessments to understand whether learning disabilities or ADHD might be contributing to these challenges, or to access accommodations for standardized tests like the GRE or LSAT. Step 2: Explore School or Workplace Supports In Ontario, school boards sometimes provide assessments through a school psychologist. You can request support through your child's school or the school board's office. However, waitlists can be long and resources are limited, meaning it can take several months to years to access testing and support. Adults may have access to supports through their workplace, university, or college. You can contact disability services, human resources departments, or student support services to explore available accommodations. Some post-secondary institutions require a psychoeducational assessment to approve exam supports, such as extra time. Step 3: Consider a Private Assessment If waiting isn't an option, a private assessment conducted by a licensed psychologist or psychological associate with specialized training in psychoeducational testing can be a faster path. Private assessments are generally more detailed and holistic, and many providers offer virtual options for greater flexibility. Assessment costs typically range from $2,500 to $5,500, depending on the provider and type of assessment. Some insurance plans cover part of the cost, and many families are able to claim it on their income tax return. Edcommodate offers in-person assessments in Cambridge, Sarnia, St. Catharines, Mississauga, and Windsor, as well as virtual services available across Ontario and Atlantic Canada. Step 4: Intake and Background Information The assessment process begins with an intake form and clinical interview to gather background information. This includes medical history, developmental history, previous assessment reports if any, report cards for students or workplace records for adults, and input from family members or teachers. This step helps the clinician understand the context of the learning challenges and informs their approach to the assessment. For adults, the focus may be on confirming lifelong learning disabilities such as ADHD, dyslexia, dysgraphia, or dyscalculia. Step 5: Testing Sessions The heart of the process involves structured psychometric testing sessions using standardized tests. For adults, these are often a full day. For children and teens, testing sessions are spread across several shorter appointments. Sessions may include: - Intelligence tests, like the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children or Adults, to evaluate cognitive functioning and identify processing disorders or intellectual disabilities - Achievement tests, like the Woodcock-Johnson V or the Kaufman Test of Educational Achievement, to measure academic achievement in areas like reading, writing, spelling, and math - Assessments of executive functioning and behavioural and social-emotional functioning - Questionnaires or interviews for related concerns, such as Autism Spectrum Disorder or mental health issues It's important to note that autism diagnostics are not commonly part of psychoeducational assessments. If a concern for autism is presented, more specialized testing such as the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS) or Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised (ADI-R) may be needed. Make sure that your psychoeducational assessment provider is versed in autism diagnostics in case additional testing is required. When mental health concerns are present, a psychoeducational + psychiatry assessment may be recommended. Step 6: Review Results in a Feedback Session After testing, the licensed psychologist prepares a comprehensive report, including any diagnoses and identification of strengths and areas of need. During the feedback session, the clinician explains the results, answers questions, and outlines next steps. The written report becomes a roadmap for support. It can be shared with schools, universities, or employers to access accommodations. For students, this typically involves school supports such as an individualized education plan (IEP). For adults, the assessment report may