POST SECONDARY AHDH ASSESSMENTS
Why The PsychoEd Clinic?
Here at The PsychoEd clinic, we provide gold standard ADHD assessments based on the guidelines provided by the Canadian ADHD Resource Alliance (CADDRA), as well as evidence based accommodation suggestions based on executive functioning deficits. Through our practicum placements, supervised practice, and residency consortium, we remain a leading provider of education and training for up and coming clinicians and practitioners. Through his supervising professorship at York University and adjunct professorship at the University of Western Ontario, our clinic director Dr. Saeid is involved in the latest research into the treatment and diagnosis of ADHD, continually updating our methods and practices to stay at the leading edge of evidence based science.
Do many post secondary students need ADHD assessments?
Post-secondary students often seek ADHD assessments as they are met with unique challenges that come with transitioning to post-secondary education such as changes in executive function demands, accountability, and independence. These problems might have never been addressed or they might have been assessed a long time ago in childhood. It is also possible that the executive functioning concerns were not posing impairment throughout the childhood due to the structured nature of grade school, less academic workload, parental oversight and support, and limited responsibilities outside school. However, the transition can bring the following challenges into students’ life:
· Neglecting self-care activities and failing to juggle personal and academic obligations effectively.
· Feeling overwhelmed by increased executive functioning demands impacting their mood.
· Difficulty managing workload independently due to planning and organizational challenges leading to missed deadlines.
How can an ADHD assessment help?
A high quality ADHD assessment can unlock a variety of resources that can help students reach their full potential in their academic, professional, and personal lives. This may include therapeutic options such as medication or psychotherapy, as well as accommodations from educational institutions and employers, like breaks or additional time in exams, that can help students work around their symptoms.
A better understanding of their strengths and weaknesses can also help them to build and maintain healthy relationships and achieve their life goals.
How can I manage the cost of an assessment?
The Ontario government offers a $2,000 bursary through OSAP that will cover the cost of the assessment, but only if the assessment finds an ADHD diagnosis. In order to eliminate the risk this creates for students, The PsychoEd Clinic will not bill for assessments that lead to no diagnosis when an assessment was recommended by The PsychoEd Clinic following a consultation call. Students who are not eligible for the OSAP bursary may have insurance through their student union that will cover part of the cost.
What kind of ADHD assessment do I need?
Most educational institutions will only provide accommodations to students who have had an ADHD assessment that meets certain specific guidelines, and is performed by clinicians with particular qualifications.
The reports provided but the PsychoEd Clinic's Post Secondary ADHD Assessment Centre meet the current guidelines for The University of Toronto, York University, Toronto Metropolitan University, McMaster University, Carleton University, and the University of Ottawa, McGill University, and many others.
Documentation requirements - Universities
Documentation requirements - Colleges
WHAT IS ADHD?
People with ADD and ADHD often share similar characteristics. They possess intelligence and have ambitions and aspirations. They are capable of focusing intensely on certain tasks for extended periods of time. However, they struggle with regulating their focus, leading to inconsistent attention. Despite these commonalities, their stories diverge.
For some individuals, their difficulties with attention impact their performance in school or work. They may struggle with meeting deadlines, initiating tasks, or completing them. On the other hand, there are individuals who excel academically or professionally but find themselves frustrated by the enormous effort required to achieve success. Unfortunately, those facing attention challenges are sometimes labeled as "unmotivated" or "lazy," which is both unfair and inaccurate. Others face doubt because their ability to hyperfocus for extended periods, their intelligence, and their commitment to work tasks are mistakenly seen as proof that they do not have an attention problem. In reality, they may experience inconsistent focus that necessitates treatment.
It is important to recognize that attention difficulties can manifest differently in each individual. If you identify with any of these experiences, seeking a comprehensive assessment can provide clarity and guide you towards appropriate treatment options. Remember, a diagnosis and proper support can help you manage your attention challenges effectively and work towards your goals.
ADHD is a neurocognitive disorder that involves a consistent pattern of difficulty (identifiable before the age of 12) regulating one’s attention, emotion, and behaviour. According to The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), ADHD is a complex psychiatric condition that often persists over a lifetime. Symptoms can vary amongst individuals and present differently for boys, girls, men, and women, but fall into three categories:
Predominantly Inattentive Presentation — the person has difficulty with organizing or finishing a task. They find it hard to pay attention to details and find it difficult to follow instructions or conversations.
Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive Presentation — the person finds it hard to keep still. They fidget or talk a lot. The person is restless, impulsive and could interrupt others at inappropriate times. They have difficulty waiting their turn and find it hard to listen to directions.
Combined Presentation — a person whose experiences symptoms equally in both presentations described above.
ADHD usually becomes problematic for an individual once the symptoms begin to interfere with the quality of social, academic or workplace functioning. The diagnosis of ADHD requires a careful age-appropriate assessment of attention, executive functioning, and behavioural impairment. You can learn more about ADHD and its diagnosis at
Assessment / Diagnosis – Centre for ADHD Awareness Canada (caddac.ca)
What is the process of an ADHD Assessment?
Before the first session, we will send you a background questionnaire to complete prior to your assessment. Other elements of the assessment include:
Interview to collect developmental history
Computerized Testing (could be done at our clinic or remotely)
Structured Clinical Interview conducted during a two-hour meeting that could be done in-person or remotely
Normed Questionnaires to be completed by you and an observer.
Review of collateral information such as grade school report cards and other assessment reports.
What is the outcome of an ADHD Assessment?
Following the assessment, the psychologist meets with you to review the results, recommendations, and next steps.
An understanding of your attention and behavioural functioning.
The diagnosis of ADHD if present.
A list of recommendations for improving performance at home, work, and school.
A report faxed to your family physician to provide pharmacological intervention options.
Note: If you do not have a family docotor, we have a nurse practitioner that could assist you with medication management (however Nurse Practitioner consults are not covered by OHIP but maybe covered by your extended health insurance)
Our fee for an Adult ADHD assessment is $2000.