Psychoeducational Assessments for Teens and Young Adults in Oshawa and the GTA

Your Teen May Be Capable of More Than Their Current Performance Suggests.

Free 15-minute call. No commitment required.

For parents of students aged 16+ who are struggling despite strong potential, from high school through university and beyond.

If any of this feels familiar, you’re not alone:

  • Your teen may have strong abilities, but their grades don’t always show it

  • They avoid or shut down when things feel demanding

  • They start tasks but often don’t finish them

  • Teachers say “they have potential”, but there’s still a gap.

  • You’re worried about university readiness

  • You’re wondering whether there’s something else going on

What may look like avoidance or inconsistency is often part of a pattern that’s not about effort.

Common underlying factors may include:

These challenges are often missed in standard academic settings, but they can matter a lot once your teen reaches university‑level demands.

  • Executive functioning challenges

  • Attention and focus regulation

  • Processing speed or efficiency

  • Anxiety‑related avoidance

Without clarity, these patterns can become harder to manage over time.

  • Underperformance despite strong ability

  • Gradual loss of confidence

  • Ongoing anxiety, avoidance, or burnout

  • A more difficult transition into university or independent living

  • Missed opportunities to explore academic accommodations

What Happens Without the Right Support?

The longer these patterns continue, the more complex they can become.

Early clarity can help prevent these concerns from becoming more entrenched and reduce the emotional and practical “cost” of uncertainty over time.

A Strategic Evaluation for University Readiness

  • Comprehensive intake with a clinician

  • In‑depth cognitive and executive functioning assessment

  • A deeper look at the factors that may be affecting performance

  • Clear diagnostic insight, when appropriate

  • A structured plan for school, home, and future success

  • Documentation that can support academic accommodation requests

You leave with answers, and a direction.

This is more than testing, it’s a clear roadmap for next steps.

What the assessment includes:

Beyond the Diagnosis

This assessment goes beyond a diagnosis. It gives your teen a real map of how their mind works — where their strengths are, where things break down, and how to use that knowledge to study more effectively and navigate school with a lot less frustration.

If your teen or young adult is heading to university or college, or is already enrolled and struggling, a psychoeducational assessment provides the formal documentation required to access academic accommodations.

Ontario universities and colleges require a current psychoeducational or neuropsychological assessment report to support accommodation requests for extended time, reduced course loads, quiet testing environments, and other supports. Without this documentation, students who qualify may not receive the help they're entitled to.

Getting Academic Accommodations Starts Here

A report from Dr. Murray meets the documentation standards accepted by Ontario post-secondary institutions, including:

  • University of Toronto

  • Queen's University

  • Trent University

  • Ontario Tech University

  • Durham College

  • And other Ontario colleges and universities

Why can't a doctor or family physician provide this documentation?
A family doctor can refer for services and support a diagnosis in a medical context, but Ontario post-secondary institutions require documentation from a registered psychologist or psychological associate who has conducted a formal cognitive and academic assessment. A physician's letter or medical note alone does not meet this requirement.

Why can't we just tell the school what accommodations are needed?
Accessibility offices at universities and colleges are required to verify that accommodations are grounded in a formal assessment — not a self-reported need. Without the supporting documentation, most institutions cannot approve extended time, alternate format exams, or other academic supports, regardless of how clearly the need presents.

If you're unsure whether an assessment is the right next step, the consultation call is the place to start. We'll help you understand what's needed and whether this is the right fit for your family.

A Personal Message from Dr. Murray

Meet Dr. Nicole Murray

Specialist in Rehabilitation and Neuropsychology

With over 20 years of clinical experience, Dr. Murray works with teens and young adults whose abilities are not consistently reflected in their academic performance.

Her work focuses on complex presentations where executive functioning, attention, emotional regulation, and cognitive processing overlap and may be misunderstood or overlooked.

Dr. Murray serves as Adjunct Faculty at Mount Sinai in New York and is regularly invited to provide advanced training on differential diagnosis and cognitive assessment.

Most recently, she led a workshop at Trent University (June 2026) on distinguishing anxiety‑related patterns from ADHD‑related concerns in high‑performing students.

Neuropsychologist Specializing in Adolescent and Young Adult Cognitive Function

What to Expect

We’ll learn more about your concerns and discuss whether this type of assessment is a good fit.

Consultation Call

Assessment Process

A structured, in‑depth evaluation, conducted over multiple components.

Feedback & Plan

A clear explanation of findings, along with practical recommendations and next steps.

Private, Comprehensive Assessment

This is a privately delivered, in-depth neuropsychological evaluation. Families often pursue this type of assessment when they want a clearer understanding of their teen’s strengths and challenges.

Services are not covered under OHIP.
Many extended health benefit plans provide partial reimbursement, depending on your policy.

Cost per assessment: $5,250

If you’re noticing the gap between your teen’s ability and performance, getting clarity sooner can help

Limited monthly assessment capacity. We accept a small number of cases each month to ensure depth and quality.