Psychological assessment evaluates various aspects of an individual's psychological functioning, such as their cognitive abilities, personality traits, emotional well-being, and behavioral patterns. It involves a clinical interview, the use of standardized tests, and observations to gather information about a person. A psychological assessment at Wavelengths Psychology can be beneficial for several reasons:
- Diagnosis and Treatment: If you or your loved one are experiencing difficulties with attention, mood, learning, or behaviors, a psychological assessment can help in identifying and diagnosing any underlying mental health conditions. This may include diagnoses of anxiety, depression, adhd, learning disabilities, and more. Assessment can help you understand what is happening and can guide the appropriate treatment approach to address your specific needs
- Educational Planning: Psychological assessments can be valuable tools for educational planning and the development of 504 plans, Individual Education Plans (IEP's), college or university accommodations, and entrance into programs for gifted/talented students. They can identify you or your child's learning style, intellectual abilities, and areas of strengths or weakness, which can guide decisions about academic programs, resources, and support.
- Legal or Forensic Purposes: In some cases, psychological assessments may be required for legal or forensic purposes. We provide assessments related to disability claims and assessments required for international adoption. These assessments provide an objective evaluation of your psychological functioning, which are shared with the courts or agencies at your request to inform legal decisions.
- Self-Understanding: Psychological assessments provide valuable insights into your personality traits, cognitive abilities, emotional functioning, interpersonal style, and coping strategies. This self-understanding can help you gain clarity about your areas of strengths and areas for personal growth. It can also shed light on patterns of thinking or behavior that may be hindering your progress or causing distress, and what types of intervention might be most helpful for you to feel more supported, develop healthier relationships, enhance communication skills, advocate for yourself, and improve your overall emotional well-being. It can also help you identify areas where you may benefit from support or therapy.
a comprehensive evaluation conducted by our skilled and empathetic team of psychologists. Our state-of-the-art assessments provide invaluable insights into your mental well-being, helping you uncover hidden strengths, identify areas for growth, and gain a deeper understanding of yourself. Whether you're seeking personal development, career guidance, or mental health support, our tailored assessments offer a roadmap to your inner world, enabling you to make informed decisions and embark on a transformative journey of self-discovery. Invest in yourself today and unleash your true potential with our unrivaled psychological assessment services.
Psychological (Diagnostic) AssessmentPsychological assessments are completed for a variety of reasons, but the goal is to examine a person’s presenting physical, emotional, and behavioural symptoms in order to identify and, if warranted, diagnose a psychological disorder. Diagnosing a psychological disorder (e.g., mood disorders, anxiety disorders, trauma-related disorders, etc.) is a controlled act in Ontario, restricted to Psychologists, Psychological Associates, and Physicians.
During a psychological assessment, your psychologist will examine your mental health functioning in a clinical interview and may also ask you to complete some self-report questionnaires. The duration of the interview can vary in length, but a typical psychological assessment will last 1 to 2 hours and may be split into more than one session if necessary. On occasion, and with your permission, your psychologist may wish to include a family member or friend in the process to provide additional information from another person’s perspective.
When your assessment is complete, your psychologist will complete a comprehensive report that contains information about your background, presenting problems, diagnoses, prognosis for recovery and recommendations for treatment. This information will then be shared with you in a follow up “feedback” session that will include ample time to address any questions that you may have.
Is ADHD impacting your ability to reach your full potential? Do you struggle with focus, organization, and time management? Our ADHD assessment services can help you understand your unique challenges and develop effective strategies to overcome them. Our experienced team of psychologists and mental health professionals use the latest diagnostic tools and techniques to provide a comprehensive evaluation of your ADHD symptoms, including inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. We work with you to understand your needs and develop a personalized treatment plan that may include therapy, medication, or lifestyle changes to help you manage your symptoms and improve your overall quality of life. Don't let ADHD hold you back any longer. Take control of your life today with our expert ADHD assessment services.
Empower your child's academic success with our specialized psychological assessments for school accommodations. We understand that every student is unique and may face diverse learning challenges. Our team of skilled psychologists specializes in conducting comprehensive assessments to identify your child's specific needs and create tailored accommodations that will optimize their learning experience. Through a combination of interviews, tests, and observations, we gain valuable insights into your child's cognitive abilities, learning style, and emotional well-being. Armed with this knowledge, we collaborate closely with parents, educators, and school administrators to develop individualized accommodation plans that support your child's learning, such as extended time on exams, preferential seating, or personalized instruction. Invest in your child's educational journey today and ensure they have the tools and support they need to thrive in the classroom. Trust our expertise to unlock their full potential and pave the way for academic achievement.
- Psychoeducational AssessmentA psychoeducational assessment may include a comprehensive evaluation of a person’s intellectual, developmental, social, and/or emotional development. Common goals of such assessments include identifying and diagnosing the following:
- Learning Disorders
- Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
- Mood and Anxiety
- Our assessments are completed according to the region’s standards to ensure our diagnostic procedures, presentation of results, and language used in our recommendations are accepted by local school boards, colleges, and universities. These assessments are instrumental in ensuring that you or your child receive appropriate classroom and/or academic accommodations to allow them to thrive in their learning environment. If you suspect that you or your child may be failing to meet their learning potential, our assessment team can assist with developing a treatment and education plan.
We know that each person develops and learns differently. Our goal is to identify each client’s cognitive profile in order to maximize strengths and improve (or limit the impact of) any learning weaknesses.
- A profile of strengths and weaknesses to help guide rehabilitation and other therapies.
- An assessment of readiness to return to work or other important life activities.
- An assessment of readiness to return to school or other training.
- Are you a student, parent or educator searching to better understand your educational needs or the educational needs of your child or student? Do you feel like you/this child could succeed if given the right insight, resources, and opportunities? We offer ADHD testing and general psychological testing in achievement and learning! Click here for more information on how we can help!
- Are you a psychiatrist or a therapist? Do you have a patient who could benefit from diagnostic clarification to help inform treatment planning and medication regimen? We help mental health professionals like you by providing psychological assessment batteries! Click here for more information on how we can help!
- General Overview of Assessment ServicesMany people think that undergoing a psychological assessment is an intimidating or stressful process. At Waterloo Psychology Group (WPG), we go the extra mile to ensure that our clients and their families feel heard and supported. Our assessment team is highly trained and will take time to explain the assessment process, results, and recommendations. We offer assessments for children, adolescents, and adults who are experiencing a variety of issues, which are briefly described below; however, we encourage you to reach out to us if you are interested in our assessment services or have questions about the process.
At WPG, we offer comprehensive assessments in the areas of:
• Psychological (Diagnostic) Assessment
• Psychoeducational and Developmental Assessment
• Neuropsychological Assessment -
Types of gifted tests The two main categories for gifted identification are achievement tests and abilities tests.
Achievement TestsAchievement tests look for a child’s knowledge in a subject area. They may be group-administered, like the SAT and ACT, or they might be administered individually by a trained professional, like the Woodcock Johnson Tests of Achievement. Group-administered achievement tests are often standardized and the results provide a numerical score. Individually administered achievement tests done by a professional are often part of a larger gifted assessment whose results cover the child’s learning profile in more depth. Achievement tests can be used as gifted testing to screen students for particular areas of academic strength.
Abilities TestsAbilities tests evaluate a child’s cognitive abilities or intelligence quotient (IQ). These are delivered individually by a trained professional, often someone with an advanced degree in education, psychology, or social work. The results are numerical and descriptive since it often includes the professional’s observations of the child, interpretation of the results, and recommendations. Abilities tests can be used for gifted assessment, which provides a more in-depth learning profile of the child. Commonly used abilities tests include:
Individual Tests:
Achievement TestsAchievement tests look for a child’s knowledge in a subject area. They may be group-administered, like the SAT and ACT, or they might be administered individually by a trained professional, like the Woodcock Johnson Tests of Achievement. Group-administered achievement tests are often standardized and the results provide a numerical score. Individually administered achievement tests done by a professional are often part of a larger gifted assessment whose results cover the child’s learning profile in more depth. Achievement tests can be used as gifted testing to screen students for particular areas of academic strength.
Abilities TestsAbilities tests evaluate a child’s cognitive abilities or intelligence quotient (IQ). These are delivered individually by a trained professional, often someone with an advanced degree in education, psychology, or social work. The results are numerical and descriptive since it often includes the professional’s observations of the child, interpretation of the results, and recommendations. Abilities tests can be used for gifted assessment, which provides a more in-depth learning profile of the child. Commonly used abilities tests include:
Individual Tests:
- Comprehensive Test of Nonverbal Intelligence (CTONI-2)
- Universal Nonverbal Intelligence Scale (UNIT-2)
- Stanford-Binet 5th edition (SB-5)
- Wechsler Preschool Primary Scale of Intelligence (WPPSI-IV)
- Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC-V)
- Woodcock-Johnson Tests of Cognitive Abilities (WJ-IV Cog)
- Naglieri Nonverbal Ability Test (NNAT-3)
- Comprehensive Test of Nonverbal Intelligence (CTONI-2)
- Universal Nonverbal Intelligence Scale (UNIT-2)
- Otis-Lennon School Ability Test (OLSAT 8)
We evaluate people of all ages for learning disabilities in reading, writing, and mathematics. We are experts in dyslexia evaluations that are designed to inform remedial approaches. We target specific thinking skills that may be contributing to difficulties in reading, writing, or mathematics so that specific interventions can be developed to improve those areas. A comprehensive learning disability evaluation may include:
- A clinical interview, where we learn about your child’s academic history and current difficulties
- A comprehensive examination of underlying cognitive processes (i.e., an “IQ” test)
- An assessment of academic skills
- An assessment of behavior, based on rating scales completed by parents and teachers
- Follow-up assessment of any identified weaknesses, which may include an extended memory battery of or tests of executive function
- Gifted and Talented Evaluations
- We evaluate children, teens, and young adults for intellectual giftedness
- We use child-friendly measures to maximize engagement in a fun environment
- We offer this service in a cost-effective manner to reduce your costs!
Learning Disability Evaluations- We conduct expert evaluations for dyslexia, dysgraphia, and dyscalculia using the most current methods
- Our evaluations are individualized to the unique needs of each client. This is not a one-size fits all approach.
- Our goal is to inform the instructional approaches used in order to maximize the outcomes for each student.
