Why is school so hard for me?

Getting an Educational Assessment Prior to Post Secondary Education

Did you have an Educational Assessment (also known as a Psychoeducational Assessment) when you were a child? Possibly you or your parents suspected that you had some learning difficulties or a learning disability as a child but you never had an Educational Assessment when you were young.

Now is your opportunity to gain a better understanding of how you learn as a young/older adult. If you are confident that you did experience learning difficulties in the past an updated or first-time Psychoeducational Assessment would allow you to advocate for yourself at post-secondary schools. An updated assessment provides you with this essential information and ensures that you receive all the academic support you may need.

If you have struggled at school, I can help provide you with the answer to your unasked question, “Why is school so hard for me?” An Educational Assessment will allow you to learn how you learn. Not everyone learns the same way. I have experience working with young and older adults as well as the knowledge to assist you with this process.

Re-assessment

In Ontario, if you received an Educational Assessment (or Psychoeducational Assessment) during elementary school, you will need a reassessment prior to attending post secondary education.  School boards do not provide what is known as an “exit assessment”.  An exit assessment is an assessment that is completed just prior to finishing high school. Colleges and universities will request an updated assessment, one that was completed within two years of graduating from high school.  Without this assessment the college or university will not provide the support that you need for continued success in school.

The purpose of this assessment is to provide updated information about how you are currently functioning academically. Post-secondary institutions are looking for a confirmation of a prior diagnosis or diagnoses or to see if there is a new diagnosis. The assessment also provides updated information about cognitive functioning (intelligence), memory functioning, phonological processing, language abilities, fine motor abilities and academic functioning.  It may also include an assessment of attention and self-esteem, particularly if either has been an issue in the past. The updated assessment will also provide new recommendations that will assist the post secondary institution in providing you with the appropriate support that you need in order to ensure continued academic success.

If you have never had an Educational Assessment

• Are you close to finishing high school but have found that school has always been a struggle for you?
• Are you the type of student who has always thought you could do better but something was holding you back? No matter how much effort you put into your school work, you always receive a “so-so” mark.
• Have you been out of school for a few years, would like to go back to school to enhance your career but are worried as you struggled at school in the past?
• Comments on past report cards or at teacher interviews may have included that the student was ‘unmotivated’ or ‘disinterested’.

If any of these statements apply to you then you might wish to consider having a first-time Educational Assessment if you are considering college or university. It is possible that you may have a learning disability that you knew nothing about. There is also the possibility that you may have an attention disorder like Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.

An Educational Assessment could provide you with information about how you learn right now.  The results of the assessment could lead to the provision of school-based academic support for you through your last year/s of high school or application to college/university as a mature student.

A Private Educational Assessment at Toronto Psychological Services

At Toronto Psychological Services, I routinely assess young/older adults aged 17+ years as well as children and younger adolescents. Your Educational Assessment will look at all the factors that impact your learning. These factors will include intellectual and memory abilities, fine motor abilities, language abilities, phonological processing abilities, and academic skills.  I may also evaluate your self-esteem and attention.

Once the assessment is completed I will explain the results to you during a feedback interview at our west Toronto clinic. You will receive a comprehensive written report that you can take with you to high school, college or university.  If you are between 16-18 years of age then I will share the results with you and your parents.

If you are 18+ years, you are my client and I can share results of the assessment with you alone if that is your preference. However, if you are still quite young, I encourage you to bring your parent(s) with you for support.

If you are still attending high school then you and your parents are encouraged to share the report with your present high school in order to facilitate school-based academic support for yourself during the last year of school. If you have already graduated or are about to graduate or contemplating attending College or University after working for a few years, you are encouraged to share the report with the school that you choose to attend.

I have had more than 10 years working in schools completing Psychoeducational/Educational Assessments. Now, I am enjoying the opportunity to provide private psychological services directly to the GTA community. The recommendations that I make will be tailored to your exact needs based on results of my assessment. I have an in-depth understanding of the type of recommendations that are needed to support identification at college or university.

Learn more about Educational Assessments in Toronto

Psychological services are covered by most workplace or employee benefits.  To consult with an Educational Consultant please contact Toronto Psychological Services