FAQs

Q. Does my child need an assessment?

Your child's teacher may recommend an assessment because your child is struggling at school. Perhaps they are having difficulty learning to read or grasp math concepts. Some children who are strong verbally may have difficulty putting their ideas onto paper. Some children are underperforming because they have difficulty sustaining their attention and focus. Other children have memory weaknesses, difficulty connecting concepts, and issues with organization and social interactions.

Sometimes parents notice a problem before the teacher. They may see the difficulties their child experiences while doing homework or staying focused on tasks that are not of high interest. Parents often notice that a child cannot retain a series of instructions or becomes overwhelmed when too much information or material is presented.

Identifying your children's learning strengths and weaknesses early will ensure they get access to services and tools to prevent falling behind in school.  

At times, an assessment may be performed to determine eligibility for a "gifted" program. This type of assessment is not a comprehensive psychoeducational assessment and is not diagnostic in nature.

Q. How can I prepare my child for the assessment?

Your child should be informed about the assessment at least a few days before the actual date. The assessment should be framed as a positive experience where they will be asked to do activities such as solving puzzles or trivia-like questions or drawing.  We get to learn about their unique learning style, find out all about their strengths and figure out ways to help them do better at school at things they might find more difficult.

The child may be told that they might be asked to answer different types of questions, solve different types of problems, and do some pencil and paper tasks. Avoid using the word 'test' as it often elicits unnecessary anxiety; conversely, do not mislead the child by telling them they will spend a day doing only games and puzzles, as this can result in an abrupt loss of rapport with the assessor when they are presented with some of the more academically-oriented tasks.

Also please ensure that your child has received an appropriate amount of sleep the night before the assessment and that he/she has eaten breakfast that morning, both of these can increase alertness and have a positive impact on test performance. 

Q. What if I need to cancel my appointment?

Please let our office assistant know via phone or email if you need to cancel your assessment. If you cancel within 48 hours of the assessment, your $100 deposit will be used as a cancellation fee.  The next available appointment date will be offered to you.

Q. What if I need to cancel my appointment on the weekend?

You will not be able to reach the receptionist on the weekend, so you can call or text Dr. Syb Pongracic's extension to cancel or reschedule your appointment:

Dr. Syb Pongracic: 905-858-4400

 

Q. Should I have a copy of the assessment report sent to my family doctor?

Your family doctor will benefit from receiving a copy of this report, as well as any other reports that are prepared by other healthcare providers. This will allow your physician to have a complete picture of your child's profile. If you are claiming this assessment as a medical expense, it is helpful if our records show that we have sent a copy to your physician.

Q. How and when do I pay?

Our staff will provide you with an invoice before the assessment.  Payment is due on the day of the assessment. Payment may be made through e-transfer or credit card. We will send you an e-receipt once the invoice is paid, which you can use for any insurance claims.

Although the services of a psychologist are not covered by OHIP, most employers have major medical insurance plans covering the services of a registered psychologist and, therefore, all or part of the assessment cost may be covered. The services of a psychologist may also be claimed as an income tax deduction.

Q. Will my medical insurance cover any portion of the cost of this assessment?

Clients with prescription or dental plans may also have benefits that include the services of a registered psychologist, such as psychotherapy or psychological assessment. Each insurance carrier has benefits that vary from approximately $500 per person per year to significantly higher coverage.

Q. What if I have questions after I receive the report?

Dr. Pongracic will provide feedback on the results of the evaluation and address any questions you have. Parents are often surprised by the volume of information they learn about their child, and it can sometimes be hard to take it all in at once. Do not worry if you find some of the information confusing or overwhelming - we will do our best to help you understand the information you have been provided.