However, when a child’s difficulty with attention, distractibility, impulsivity and need for movement gets in the way of school, friends, and day-to-day activities, then an attention assessment may be appropriate.

Attention, impulsivity and hyperactivity can result in:

• Defiant/acting out behaviour
• Daydreaming
• Too much focus on areas of interest
• Difficulty staying seated
• Anxiety/mood issues
• Dips in grades
• Difficulty with friends
• Forgetting belongings
• Putting off/avoiding homework/chores

What is involved?

• Interview with Caregivers
  • Overview of the assessment process
  • Psychologist listens to your family’s story
• Records Review
  • You will be asked to bring all available report cards, previous assessments and other related documentation for the psychologist to look at
• Testing
  • The psychologist will want to get to know your child one-on-one
  • Short academic tests are given to see how your child reacts to challenging or boring activities
  • Generally 1-2 sessions
• School Involvement
  • The psychologist will gather information from your child’s teacher through:
    •  Questionnaires
    • Interview
    • Possible school observation
• Diagnostic Decision
  • The psychologist and pediatrician work with caregivers to determine the presence of attention diagnosis
• Report Writing
  • The psychologist will look at all of the information and write a comprehensive report telling about your child’s strengths and needs. It will list and explain any diagnoses.
  • Recommendations and suggestions will be given to support your child at home and school
• Meet with Parents
  • The psychologist will talk with you about the results
  • Suggestions for supporting your child at home and school will be discussed
  • Caregivers have opportunities to ask questions