Assessments

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Assessment Services

Kinark offers a range of psychological assessments for children, adolescents and transitional age youth. These assessments are available for children and youth with (or suspected of having) Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) or another neurodevelopmental disorder (e.g., ADHD, learning disorder, intellectual disability, etc.).

A psychological assessment is used to better understand a child or youth’s development, thinking, learning, emotions, behaviour and/or day-to-day functioning.

Our assessments include a combination of caregiver interviews and questionnaires, observation of your child, one-to-one testing activities with your child and an interview (if applicable). Some portions of an assessment require in-person testing while other portions can be done virtually. Following the assessment, our psychologist will discuss the results with you and a written report will be provided.

The information gathered through assessments helps to support you in making informed decisions about your child’s health care and educational needs and helps you access the right community resources.

The following assessments are available:

1. Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Assessment

This comprehensive diagnostic assessment will evaluate your child’s social communication skills and restrictive, repetitive behaviours utilizing a gold standard measure to assess symptoms of ASD (i.e., ADOS-2). A diagnosis can help you and your child or youth understand why they are having difficulties and feel less alone and confused. A diagnosis also helps you and professionals working with your child or youth know how to best support them and which services, supports and accommodations can be accessed.

  • Assessment time and how the assessment will occur (i.e., in-person or via telehealth) will vary based on your child’s age, strengths and challenges
  • For children six and under, the assessment typically lasts three to four hours and ranges from $2,300 – $2,600
  • For children and youth above the age of six, the assessment cost ranges from $3,400 – $4,200. These assessments take longer and may involve other testing components to assess academic achievement, learning style and/or emotional needs depending on your child.

Please note that costs vary depending on the amount of time needed to complete each assessment.

2. Psychoeducational Assessments

These assessments identify areas of strength and weakness in a child or youth’s learning profile and provide an understanding of their current educational abilities. These assessments can also identify learning disabilities, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or an intellectual disability that can interfere with learning.

Understanding your child or youth’s learning profile also helps you better advocate for appropriate educational/classroom placements, learning accommodations and services needed to help your child succeed in school and beyond.

Cost: $3,200 – $3,600. Costs vary depending on the amount of time needed to complete each assessment and additional testing components that may be needed (i.e., emotional and mental health needs). Hourly rate is $200.

3. Developmental Services Ontario Assessment

Developmental Services Ontario (DSO) is a central access point for services for adults who are 18 years and older, live in Ontario, and have developmental disability confirmed by a psychologist. To qualify for DSO, you must receive a psychological assessment through your school, a hospital, or another organization. If you already have an assessment, DSO will review it to confirm your eligibility.

A DSO assessment is needed if:

  • An updated assessment is required by DSO
  • A cognitive or adaptive component was missing or a change in a child profile/needs as they develop
  • An assessment has never been completed

This assessment includes two key components: cognitive functioning (i.e., ability to reason, organize, plan, make judgments, and identify consequences) and adaptive skills/abilities (i.e., capacity to gain independence and apply skills in everyday life). It is available for youth between the ages of 16 to 21.

Cost: $2,100 – $2,300. Costs vary depending on the amount of time needed to complete each assessment. This assessment is completed in a hybrid format with both virtual and in-person components.

If you require assistance navigating our Psychological Assessment services or would like more information, please contact us at 1-800-283-3377 or email autisminfo@kinark.on.ca. Psychological services costs may be eligible for reimbursement through some private insurance providers. Please contact us for more information.

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