Psychoeducational Treatment

Assessments to determine a particular mental health or behavioural issue usually occur when: 

• There are multiple mental health issues to understand 
• Behaviour is negatively impacting all facets of daily life 
• Appropriate treatment recommendations are required for psychotherapy/counselling sessions
• A correct diagnosis is needed to help physicians determine the correct medication to prescribe for treatment

A psychoeducational assessment can be helpful for teens by identifying issues with cognition and learning. This assessment can help to:

• Identify where difficulties in learning are occurring
• Establish appropriate recommendations and accommodations to assist with learning in school
• Provide recommendations to utilize assistive technology, which can help to improve learning and academic performance
• Provide important information when considering what area to pursue in post-secondary education

An assessment for ADHD can be helpful for teenagers by identifying issues with attention, hyperactivity, impulsivity and other executive functioning difficulties (i.e., organization, regulation, etc.). This assessment can provide:

• Recommendations for treatment planning for psychotherapy/counselling
• Recommendations and accommodations to improve academic performance 
• Suggestions to improve attention, organization, etc., at home and in school
• Recommendations for assistive technology that can promote attention and facilitate learning at school

A definitive diagnosis if medication is being considered as a treatment option

Autism assessments for teens often involve assessing for a mild severity of Autism (previously known as Asperger’s Syndrome). Autism Spectrum Disorders that are moderate or severe are typically diagnosed in childhood due to the significant challenges in many areas of functioning. An assessment for Autism can be helpful by:

• Providing answers for why an adolescent is particularly awkward socially or has little desire to socialize at all
• Explaining peculiar behaviour, such as maintaining a primary area of interest that seems strange or engaging in restricted or repetitive behaviours
• Providing appropriate treatment planning recommendations for psychotherapy/counselling
• Identifying areas for improvement in social skills
• Identifying areas for improvement with emotional regulation skills
• Apply for funding to facilitate treatment and access appropriate community services

A neuropsychological assessment for teens can help identify difficulties in brain function, such as cognition, learning, executive functioning, language, and other cognitive abilities. This assessment can help to:

• Determine if there are deficits in learning and functioning related to neurological or birth conditions, such as a seizure disorder, epilepsy, premature birth, alcohol or substance use during pregnancy, brain tumour, acquired or congenital hydrocephalus, etc.
• Examine brain functioning after an impact to the head resulting in a concussion (e.g., motor vehicle accident, slip and fall, sports injury, etc.)
• Determine if there are cognitive difficulties in all areas of learning
• Identify learning difficulties in specific areas (e.g., math, spelling, reading, writing, etc.)
• Create recommendations for home and school functioning when there is difficulty in a specific area of brain function.
• Help establish appropriate recommendations and accommodations for an Individualized Education Plan (I.E.P.) at school.
• Provide recommendations for assistive technology (e.g., use of a laptop, etc.) to assist with learning at school.
• Offer important information when considering what area to pursue in post-secondary education or a future occupation.