Child / Youth Assessments

Understanding Youth Psychological & Learning Assessments

When a young person is struggling—with learning at school, regulating their emotions, maintaining attention, or navigating daily challenges—it can be difficult to know what’s behind the difficulties or where to turn for help. A psychological and learning assessment can provide valuable clarity, helping to uncover the root of the problem and guide a path forward.

At OICBT, our child / youth assessments are designed to understand the whole person. We offer comprehensive evaluations that explore cognitive, academic, emotional, behavioural, and executive functioning. Whether concerns have been raised by a parent, teacher, or other professional, we’re here to support families in gaining insight and making informed decisions.

What Do Child / Youth Assessments Involve?

Each assessment begins with a clinical intake to understand the child or youth’s developmental history, current concerns, and context—at home, in school, and in other settings. We work collaboratively with caregivers to gather background information and identify key areas for exploration.

During Your Appointments (In-Person Sessions)

• Clinical Intake Interview: We begin with a one-on-one conversation with parents or caregivers to understand your child’s developmental history, current concerns, and daily functioning across settings.

• Diagnostic Interview (if applicable): In some cases, we may include a one-hour diagnostic session with your child or teen to explore symptoms more deeply and help clarify mental health concerns.

• Cognitive Testing: Your child will complete one-on-one tasks measuring reasoning, memory, verbal and non-verbal abilities, processing speed, and visual-motor coordination.

• Academic Achievement Testing: We assess reading, writing, and math skills to better understand your child’s learning strengths and areas of difficulty.

• Self-Report Questionnaires: If appropriate, your child or teen will complete questionnaires to help us better understand their internal experiences and emotional well-being.

• One-Hour Feedback Session: Once the assessment is complete, we meet with parents or caregivers to review the results, answer questions, and offer clear next steps.

Outside of Appointments (Completed Behind the Scenes)

• Parent/Caregiver Questionnaires: We ask you to complete detailed forms to help us understand your child’s behaviours, emotional patterns, and functioning at home.

• Review of School Records: We review any available report cards or academic documentation to gain insight into long-term learning patterns and school performance.

• Social-Emotional and Behavioural Screening: We score and interpret the results of questionnaires to assess mood, anxiety, behaviour concerns, and attention-related difficulties.

• Executive Functioning Assessment: We evaluate how your child manages focus, planning, and organization using a combination of observed and reported data.

• Optional Teacher/School Input: With your consent, we may reach out to your child’s school for teacher feedback or questionnaires to better understand the classroom experience.

• Detailed Written Report: After compiling and analyzing all the data, we prepare a clear, comprehensive report that outlines results, interpretations, and tailored recommendations for home, school, and any additional support.

Where Does The Assessment Take Place?

All sessions involved in the assessment process typically take place in-person at our clinic. Assessments are completed in a private, welcoming office environment designed to help children and youth feel comfortable and supported. Our team is committed to creating a positive experience for every family, making sure the process feels clear, supportive, and tailored to your child’s needs.

Who Might Benefit from an Assessment?

Psychological and learning assessments can be valuable at many key points during a child or youth’s development. They are often most helpful when concerns about school performance or emotional well-being arise, or during important transitions such as entering a new grade level or planning for post-secondary education.

Assessments can be especially beneficial for children and youth aged 12 to 18* who are:

• Struggling with academic performance despite strong effort

• Showing signs of ADHD, difficulty concentrating, or disorganization

• Managing anxiety, low mood, intense emotions, or frequent outbursts

• Having trouble with peer relationships, social skills, or self-esteem

• Displaying behaviours that seem out of step with their developmental stage

• Seeking a better understanding of their learning style, cognitive strengths, and support needs

• Demonstrating advanced abilities and may benefit from giftedness testing to inform enrichment or academic planning

Assessments are also recommended when a child / youth already has a diagnosis but updated information is needed for school planning, treatment decisions, or tracking developmental progress. Early identification and intervention can make a significant difference in a young person’s confidence, resilience, and long-term success.

What Happens After the Assessment?

Once testing is complete, families receive:

• A Comprehensive Report: This includes results, interpretation, and clear, jargon-free explanations of what the findings mean. If applicable, it includes diagnoses in line with DSM-5-TR criteria.

• Recommendations: Practical, tailored suggestions for support at home, at school, and in treatment (if needed). This may include accommodations for learning, referrals to additional services, or strategies for managing emotions and behaviour.

• A Feedback Session: We meet with the family to review the report, explain results, and answer questions. For older youth, we often include them in the feedback process in an age-appropriate way.

Our goal is to ensure families feel informed, supported, and empowered with a clear direction for next steps.

Why Choose OICBT for Youth Assessments?

• Expert Clinicians: Our assessments are conducted by registered psychologists and clinicians with specialized training in youth development, psychology and/or cognitive testing, and education.

• Evidence-Based Approach: We use gold-standard assessment tools and stay current with the latest research to provide accurate, reliable results.

• Personalized and Compassionate Care: We understand that every child is unique. Our assessments are thoughtful, sensitive, and focused on the whole person—not just the challenges.

• Collaborative Process: We work closely with families, educators, and other professionals (when appropriate) to ensure a full understanding of the youth’s needs and how to best support them.

*Please note: if you are looking for services for children ages 4-11, please contact Dr. Jennifer Karp directly. Services for children under the age of 4 are not currently available through our practice.