What Is an Adult Assessment?
An adult assessment is a comprehensive psychological evaluation for adults who suspect they may have ADHD, autism, a learning disability, or giftedness that was not identified in childhood. Many adults have spent years developing coping strategies that mask underlying neurodevelopmental differences, leading to burnout, anxiety, or a persistent sense that life is harder than it should be.
Our assessments are designed for adults and account for the ways neurodevelopmental differences present differently in adulthood compared to childhood.
Adults seek assessment for many different reasons. Some have experienced chronic burnout, anxiety, or depression that has not responded well to standard treatment, and they suspect something else is going on. Others have relationship difficulties related to communication differences, emotional regulation, or executive function challenges that they cannot fully explain. Many adults come to us after a child or family member is diagnosed, and they recognize similar traits in themselves.
Some adults seek assessment at a specific life transition: starting a new job, returning to school, going through a separation, or facing increased demands that overwhelm their existing coping strategies. Whatever your reason, seeking assessment is an act of self-understanding that can change the way you relate to your own experiences.
Signs You May Need Assessment
- Lifelong difficulty with organization, time management, or follow-through despite effort
- Feeling socially different or exhausted by social interaction
- Chronic underachievement relative to your obvious intelligence
- History of anxiety, depression, or burnout that has not responded well to treatment
- Difficulty in relationships due to communication differences or emotional regulation
- Sensory sensitivities that affect daily comfort and functioning
- A child or family member recently diagnosed, prompting recognition of similar traits
- Persistent feeling of being different without understanding why
Ready to understand yourself better?
Book a free phone consultation to discuss your experiences and learn how an assessment can provide the clarity you have been looking for.
Disability Tax Credit (DTC) and ODSP
A comprehensive adult assessment provides documentation that can support applications for government programs designed to reduce the financial impact of disability.
Disability Tax Credit (DTC). The DTC is a non-refundable tax credit available to individuals with a severe and prolonged impairment in mental functions necessary for everyday life. ADHD, autism, and learning disabilities can qualify when they significantly restrict daily functioning. Our assessment reports include the clinical information needed for the T2201 form, which your doctor uses to apply on your behalf. The DTC can provide significant annual tax savings and opens eligibility for the Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP).
Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP). ODSP provides income and employment support to people with disabilities who are in financial need. Our reports document the nature and severity of the condition in the way ODSP requires. While eligibility depends on financial criteria as well as disability, our reports address the clinical documentation component.
OSAP disability grants. If you are a post-secondary student, a psychological assessment documenting ADHD, a learning disability, or autism can support applications for OSAP disability-related grants, which do not need to be repaid. These grants can cover the cost of assistive technology, educational supports, and other accommodations.
Workplace accommodations. Under the Ontario Human Rights Code, employers have a duty to accommodate disabilities to the point of undue hardship. Our reports provide the documentation needed to request workplace accommodations such as flexible scheduling, modified workload, noise-cancelling headphones, written instructions, or remote work options.
Virtual Assessment Options
We offer virtual assessment options for adult clients who are Ontario residents. Virtual assessment can be especially helpful if you live outside the Greater Toronto Area, have mobility or transportation challenges, or prefer to complete the assessment from the comfort of your own home.
Our virtual assessments use secure, encrypted video conferencing that meets Ontario privacy standards. Standardized testing, clinical interviews, and questionnaires can be administered virtually. Some measures may require a brief in-person visit depending on the nature of the assessment.
Virtual assessment is available for ADHD evaluations, many autism assessment components, and learning disability assessments. During your initial consultation, we discuss which parts of the assessment are suitable for virtual delivery and which, if any, require in-person attendance.
Mental Health Screening
Our adult assessments include screening for common mental health concerns such as anxiety, depression, and emotional regulation difficulties. These conditions frequently co-occur with ADHD, autism, and learning disabilities, and can significantly affect daily functioning and quality of life.
What screening includes. We use validated screening measures to assess symptoms of anxiety, depression, and other mental health concerns as part of the comprehensive assessment process. This helps us understand the full clinical picture and provide appropriate recommendations.
Referral for comprehensive mental health assessment. Our practice specializes in neurodevelopmental assessment, not comprehensive mental health treatment. If our screening identifies significant mental health concerns that require further evaluation or treatment, we provide referrals to trusted mental health professionals, including psychotherapists, psychiatrists, and counsellors who specialize in working with neurodivergent adults.
Post-concussion and medical conditions. If you are experiencing cognitive changes following a concussion, TBI, stroke, or other medical event, our [neuropsychological assessment](/assessments/neuropsychological) may be more appropriate. This specialized assessment focuses on cognitive functioning in the context of medical conditions and includes return-to-work or return-to-school planning.
Our 3-Step Process
Initial Consultation
Free phone call to discuss your concerns, life history, and what you hope to learn from assessment. We create a safe, non-judgmental space for exploration.
Assessment Sessions
Comprehensive evaluation over 2-4 visits, tailored to your specific questions. May include cognitive testing, attention and executive function measures, autism-specific assessments, academic achievement testing, and personality and emotional functioning measures.
Feedback and Report
Detailed report with diagnostic conclusions, a narrative that helps you understand your life story through a new lens, and practical recommendations for work, relationships, and self-care.
Ready to take the next step?
Our assessment process starts with a free 15-minute phone call. No referral needed.
What You Will Learn
- Whether ADHD, autism, a learning disability, or giftedness is present
- How neurodevelopmental differences have shaped your life experiences and coping strategies
- Why previous mental health treatment may not have fully addressed your needs
- Specific recommendations for workplace accommodations, relationship strategies, and self-advocacy
- Referral pathways for medication, coaching, therapy, or peer support groups
- A framework for understanding yourself that reduces self-blame and increases self-compassion
After Your Assessment
Late-Diagnosis Identity Support
Resources for processing a late diagnosis and referrals to therapists experienced with late-identified neurodivergent adults.
Peer Support Groups
Information about local and online peer support groups for adults with ADHD, autistic adults, and adults with learning disabilities in Ontario.
Workplace Accommodations
Specific accommodation recommendations and guidance on your rights under the Ontario Human Rights Code, including how to navigate disclosure and the accommodation process.
Medical Referrals
Referrals to physicians experienced with neurodevelopmental conditions in adults, including medication consultation for ADHD.
Relationship and communication strategies. Understanding your neurodevelopmental profile can transform your relationships. Our report includes strategies for communication, emotional regulation, and daily functioning that are tailored to your specific strengths and challenges. We can refer you to therapists and coaches who specialize in working with neurodivergent adults.
