Neuropsychological Assessment for Children and Teens in Toronto

What is a neuropsychological assessment?

A neuropsychological assessment is a comprehensive evaluation conducted by a neuropsychologist that looks at how your child’s brain processes may be affecting their thinking, learning, emotions, and behaviour. It helps identify specific strengths and challenges across areas like memory, attention, problem-solving, language, and motor skills.

Because it’s grounded in how the brain functions, a neuropsychological assessment can offer deeper insight into complex learning, developmental, or medical concerns, and leads to more targeted, individualized recommendations for support at home, at school, and in therapy.

Neuropsychological assessment vs psycho-educational assessment

Where a psycho-educational assessment helps to understand a child or teen’s learning profile, a neuropsychological assessment helps to determine WHY they may be experiencing learning difficulties. A neuropsychological assessment includes all aspects of a psycho-educational assessment, plus additional testing in areas that may underlie learning problems, such as attention, memory, executive functioning, language, and visual processing.

A neuropsychological assessment can provide clarity, knowledge and helpful recommendations.

Book a neuropsychological assessment:

Child (under 18)

Young Adults (18+)

When should I consider a neuropsychological assessment for my child?

A neuropsychological assessment is recommended in more complex situations, such as when your child has:

An education plan that isn’t working, and a deeper understanding of their learning profile is needed
A history of brain injury or a medical condition that may affect their thinking skills
Ongoing learning difficulties since early development
A complex profile where it is unclear whether challenges stem from cognitive factors, mood (e.g., anxiety, depression), or other influences

Neuropsychological assessments at Red Oak

At Red Oak, our neuropsychological assessments are conducted by our neuropsychologists and are tailored to your specific needs and concerns. Our neuropsychologists bring clinical expertise and a thoughtful, compassionate approach to every evaluation.

We approach all assessments using frameworks that are strengths-based, developmentally informed, evidence-based, and culturally responsive.

Our neuropsychological assessment process

Our neuropsychological assessments include all components of a psychoeducational assessment, with in-depth and additional testing in areas such as memory, executive functioning, and language.

1. Parent intake session – A clinical interview to understand presenting concerns, developmental history, and family background. Parents also complete questionnaires about cognitive skills, socio-emotional functioning, and behaviour.

2. Assessment sessions – A neuropsychologist administers in-depth standardized tests of cognition (e.g., attention, memory, executive functioning, language). Testing often takes up to eight hours and is typically split into two sessions on different days. Breaks are provided to ensure the experience is positive and manageable for your child.

3. Report and feedback sessions – Results are interpreted through a neuropsychological lens, highlighting your child’s strengths, challenges, and specific recommendations for school, vocational planning, and daily life. Findings are shared in a feedback session with you, and with your child when appropriate. You will also receive a detailed written report.