Is an Assessment Right for You or Your Child?
Does your child struggle in school despite their best efforts? Do you feel like their challenges go beyond the usual ups and downs of learning? Maybe you’ve been wondering whether something deeper is at play, like ADHD, dyslexia, or autism. If so, you’re not alone.
At North Shore Psychological Services, we’ve worked with countless families who were searching for answers. Our psychological and learning assessments help children, teens, and adults in Nova Scotia understand their unique strengths and challenges. More importantly, they provide the first step toward real solutions—ones that build confidence, resilience, and success.
If you’ve been asking, “Could this be ADHD?” “Is my child just struggling with math, or could it be dyscalculia?”—then this guide is for you.
Why Psychological & Learning Assessments Matter
If you’ve been feeling lost, wondering why school feels like an uphill battle for your child, you’re not alone. Many parents tell us they’ve watched their child struggle, second-guess themselves, and feel frustrated because no matter how hard they try, something isn’t clicking.
Some have been through endless trial and error—tutors, extra practice, long nights of homework—but nothing seems to help. Others have been told their child just needs to “try harder” or “pay attention,” but deep down, they know the issue runs deeper. Maybe teachers have raised concerns, or perhaps you’re the one noticing the signs at home—unfinished work, meltdowns over school, or a quiet sadness when they compare themselves to their peers.
An assessment isn’t about labeling your child. It’s about understanding them. It’s about helping them see that their challenges aren’t a reflection of their effort or intelligence, but rather how their brain works. It’s about replacing frustration with clarity and struggle with the right kind of support.
We’ve seen children go from believing they’re “not smart enough” to realizing they just need different tools to learn effectively. That shift is life-changing.
Assessments We Offer
At North Shore Psychological Services, we offer comprehensive evaluations to identify learning and developmental challenges. Here’s how we help:
1. ADHD Evaluations: More Than Just Being Distracted
If your child constantly loses focus, gets frustrated with tasks, or struggles to sit still, you might be wondering, Is this ADHD? We get it—parents often feel torn between wanting to support their child and wondering if they’re overthinking things.
- Many children with ADHD struggle with staying organized, managing schoolwork, and keeping track of their belongings—and it’s not just forgetfulness.
- Research shows that ADHD is closely linked to difficulties with task planning, organization, and working memory. This means children may lose homework, forget instructions, or have trouble breaking tasks into manageable steps [PMC].
- Working memory, which helps with holding and using information, plays a huge role in learning, and when it’s impaired, simple daily tasks can feel overwhelming [Healthline].
- With ADHD affecting about 8.4% of children, these challenges are more common than many realize, but the right support can make a difference [NIMH].
Common frustrations we hear from parents:
- “They’re smart, but they just can’t stay focused long enough to show it.”
- “Homework takes hours because they keep forgetting what they’re supposed to be doing.”
- “I don’t know if they’re ignoring me or if they genuinely didn’t hear me.”
ADHD isn’t just about attention—it affects impulse control, organization, and memory. Our evaluations help untangle whether your child’s struggles are ADHD-related and what strategies will help.
Read More: What are the benefits of a learning, ADHD, or behaviour evaluation for my child?
2. Autism Assessments: Understanding Social & Sensory Differences
Maybe your child has always been a little unique—super passionate about their favorite topics, struggling with loud noises, or finding social interactions exhausting. You may have wondered if autism is a possibility, but the conflicting advice and information online can feel overwhelming.
Autism assessments offer a comprehensive understanding of an individual’s strengths and challenges, making it possible to develop personalized support strategies that truly fit their needs.
Early identification is key, as research shows that timely intervention significantly improves long-term outcomes for individuals with autism [Apex ABA].
A formal diagnosis also serves as a gateway to specialized services, therapies, and resources that can enhance overall well-being for both individuals and families [cmha.ca].
Common concerns we hear:
- “They don’t connect with other kids the same way.”
- “School is overwhelming for them, and I don’t know how to help.”
- “They’re amazing at certain things but struggle with everyday tasks.”
An autism assessment helps clear the confusion and provides actionable insights to better support your child’s unique needs.
Deeper Reading: Autism Assessments 101: A Parent’s Guide to Understanding the Basics
3. Dyscalculia Assessment: When Numbers Just Don’t Click
If your child dreads math, gets stuck on simple calculations, or avoids numbers altogether, dyscalculia could be the reason. We often hear parents say:
- “They try so hard, but numbers never seem to make sense.”
- “They can memorize things for a test, but they forget it right after.”
- “Even counting money or reading a clock is frustrating for them.”
Math struggles can chip away at confidence, and research shows that children with dyscalculia often experience significant emotional distress, including frustration and feelings of being stuck.
The cycle of avoidance that comes with repeated math failures can make learning even harder [Klarity Health].
Difficulties with basic math functions can lead to low self-esteem and academic frustration, further impacting motivation [Child Mind Institute].
Our assessments uncover whether your child has dyscalculia and how we can make math more accessible and less stressful. With the right strategies, we help children move from fear to confidence in their math abilities.
4. Dyslexia Assessment: When Reading Feels Impossible
If your child struggles to read, confuses letters, or avoids books altogether, dyslexia may be a factor. Reading should be an opportunity for growth, not frustration.
Common signs of dyslexia include:
- Difficulty recognizing or remembering common words
- Trouble sounding out words
- Mixing up letters or skipping lines when reading
A dyslexia assessment helps pinpoint specific reading challenges and provides strategies to improve literacy skills.
Read More: Understanding Dyslexia for Parents: What It Is and How to Support Your Child
5. Dysgraphia Assessment: When Writing Becomes a Struggle
Writing should be a way to express ideas, not a daily struggle. For children with dysgraphia, writing can feel like running a marathon with no finish line—physically exhausting, mentally draining, and endlessly frustrating. Difficulties with motor skills, letter formation, and sentence structuring make even the simplest assignments overwhelming [Voyager Sopris Learning].
- Beyond just messy handwriting, dysgraphia slows writing speed, causes hand fatigue, and leads to difficulty organizing thoughts on paper.
- These challenges don’t just make schoolwork harder—they can trigger frustration, avoidance, and anxiety, further impacting academic performance [Helping Children to Read].
- Many children with dysgraphia feel discouraged when they can’t get their ideas onto the page the way they intend, which can erode self-confidence over time.
Signs of Dysgraphia:
- Illegible handwriting
- Slow, labored writing process
- Trouble structuring sentences or organizing thoughts on paper
A dysgraphia assessment can pinpoint the specific challenges and provide solutions—whether it’s assistive technology, alternative writing tools, or personalized strategies. With the right support, children can move past frustration and gain confidence in their ability to communicate through writing.
Read More: How Learning Disorder Assessment and Diagnosis Can Help Your Child
6. Advanced Learner Assessment: Identifying Giftedness
Gifted students often need unique support. Some may be bored in class, while others struggle socially or emotionally. If your child seems to learn quickly but feels disengaged or misunderstood, an advanced learner assessment can help.
Why an assessment can help:
- Identifies strengths and potential areas of challenge
- Provides insight into appropriate academic placements
- Helps parents and teachers support gifted learners effectively
Knowing a child’s learning profile allows for better educational planning and personal growth.
Assessments Offer More Than You Know
These assessments don’t just give you a report; they give you a deeper understanding of your child. They provide answers to the questions that have been keeping you up at night. They equip you with a roadmap so you can stop guessing and start helping.
Every child deserves to feel capable, confident, and supported. With the right insights, tools and support, you can empower them to fully live.
FAQ: Your Questions Answered
1. How early can my child be assessed for learning difficulties?
Children as young as four years old can be assessed for learning challenges. Early testing can identify potential concerns before they impact school performance, allowing for early intervention.
2. Will an assessment help my child get school accommodations?
Yes. A formal diagnosis can help with individual accommodations like extra time on tests, specialized learning plans, and Individualized Program Plans (IPPs).
3. What happens after the assessment is complete?
After testing, we provide a detailed report explaining the findings, along with personalized recommendations for school, home, and therapy. We also offer follow-up support to help implement the results effectively.
4. What if my child isn’t young?
That’s perfectly fine, we work with adolescents and young adults in post secondary studies as well.
Get A Consultation & Take the First Step Toward Answers
If your child is struggling, you don’t have to navigate this alone. The right assessment can open doors to the understanding, support, and strategies that change lives.
📍 Locations: Stellarton & Truro, Nova Scotia on Online.
