Psychoeducational assessment is the primary part of Dr. Reynolds’ practice. He has completed several hundred assessments in the past few years alone. He plans to continue doing assessments until he is no longer amazed by the students and families he gets to meet!
Why Do an Assessment?
A comprehensive psychoeducational assessment provides a full understanding of a student’s needs. When students have challenges in school, there are a number of potential reasons to be investigated. These include cognitive challenges, specific learning disabilities (such as dyslexia), behavioural challenges, emotional difficulty like mood or anxiety problems, and a range of other challenges like attendance or inappropriate expectations. To fully understand the student’s needs, these are assessed using a combination of parent/teacher interviews, school/medical reports over the years, cognitive (IQ) testing, assessment of academic fundamentals, and questionnaires to compare the student’s functioning against those typical for that age. This can result in a formal diagnosis, which can be shared with a school and/or physician to help parents and everyone working with the student develop a range of strategies that will help the student become successful.
I complete about 50 psychoeducational assessments each year. I love working with students, families, and teachers to get to the root of the student’s challenges. I always do testing myself, as that gives me the best understanding of how the student manages different challenges. Each student has their own story, and I continue to enjoy the detective work necessary to help students meet their potential. Parents always receive a thorough report at the end of the process, as well as a debriefing to talk about practical ways to implement strategies at home and in school which will help.
Dr. Shawn Reynolds, Registered Psychologist 