THE ASSESSMENT
What is a learning disability assessment?
A learning disability assessment is a type of psychoeducational assessment. It looks at the thinking skills that underlie learning alongside a detailed look at academic skills, to show whether a specific learning disability is present and how it affects learning.
A learning disability is not a reflection of intelligence. Many students with learning disabilities have average or above average reasoning abilities and simply learn differently.
Thinking and learning skills
Reasoning, memory, language, phonological processing, and processing speed.
Academic skills
Reading, writing, spelling, and mathematics, to pinpoint where skills break down.
The whole student
Attention, emotional wellbeing, and confidence as a learner.
WHEN TO CONSIDER
When an assessment may help
These are some of the reasons families reach out to us.
01
Slow to learn letters or numbers
Early skills are not coming together, despite good teaching.
02
Effort does not match results
Your child works hard, but grades do not reflect what they understand.
03
Tutoring has not been enough
Progress is slow despite extra help at school or at home.
04
Avoiding reading or writing
Frustration or anxiety around schoolwork is growing.
05
A gap between speaking and writing
Ideas come out well aloud but not on paper.
06
Accommodations are needed
A teen or young adult needs documentation for high school or post-secondary.
OUR APPROACH
What makes our approach different
A score alone does not explain a learning difficulty. We look at the processes behind it, so recommendations are specific and practical.
Processes, not just scores: we identify which thinking skills are affected and why.
Other explanations considered: attention, language, vision and hearing, and learning in a new language.
School-ready recommendations: written to support an IEP, accommodations, and an IPRC.
Paced to prevent fatigue: testing is split across sessions so results reflect true ability.
Understanding why learning is hard is the key to choosing the right intervention and accommodations.
The right conditions for accurate results
We pace sessions to your child, offer breaks, and create a calm, predictable setting, so that standardized testing reflects what your child can truly do.
THE PROCESS
The assessment, step by step
The full process usually takes 4 to 6 weeks from intake to feedback, typically including 2 to 3 assessment sessions.
Step
What happens
Why it matters
Free consultation
A 15-minute call to talk through your concerns
Helps decide which assessment is the right fit
Background interview
Development, language, school history, and supports already tried
Context for understanding the results
Cognitive assessment
Standardized measures of reasoning, memory, processing speed, and phonological processing
Shows how your child thinks and learns
Academic assessment
Standardized testing in reading, writing, and mathematics
Pinpoints exactly where skills break down
Report and feedback
A written report, reviewed with you in a feedback meeting
Clear answers and practical next steps
AFTER THE ASSESSMENT
What you receive
01
A clear explanation
Whether a learning disability is present and how it affects learning.
02
A detailed written report
Signed by a registered psychologist, and usable for an IEP, IPRC, and post-secondary accommodations.
03
Specific recommendations
Evidence-based interventions, accommodations, and strategies for home.
04
A feedback meeting
Time to ask questions and plan next steps together.
Meet the assessment team
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between this and a psychoeducational assessment?
A learning disability assessment is a type of psychoeducational assessment focused on academic learning. If there are also concerns about attention, emotions, or behaviour, a comprehensive psychoeducational assessment may be the better fit.
How early can a learning disability be identified?
Early signs can appear in kindergarten, and we can identify risk and recommend support for young children. A formal diagnosis is usually made once a child has had some formal reading, writing, or math instruction.
Can the results be used at school?
Yes. The report can be used to support an IEP, request accommodations, or initiate an IPRC meeting within the Ontario school system.
How much does it cost, and is it covered by insurance?
Fees depend on the components needed. We will give you a clear quote during your free consultation. Many extended health plans cover psychological assessments, and we can submit a predetermination to confirm your coverage before you begin.
How long does the process take?
Usually 4 to 6 weeks from intake to the feedback meeting.
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Dyslexia, written expression, dyscalculia, and signs at every age.