Our Team
- eXL provides clients and their families with a team that is well-trained and experienced in assessment, programming and intervention. Supervising psychologists are available.
- Academic Assessments
- Standardized Academic Assessments
- Testing for Academics, Learning Skills & Strategies
- Subject-specific tutoring for students K to Grade 12
- i.e., Reading, Writing, Spelling, Mathematics
- Grade 9 Math Test Preparation
- Grade 10 Literacy Test Preparation
- Learning Skills and Strategies instruction and coaching
- i.e., Study Skills, Test Preparation, Organization, Time Management
- Educational Consulting
- i.e., Family support through the IPRC process, IEP/IPP writing and review
Psycho-Educational Services
(more info)
- Psycho-Educational Assessments
Speech & Language Services
(more info)
- Standardized Speech-Language Assessments
- Early Intervention
- Auditory Processing
- Speech Development
- Articulation
- Phonology
- Oral-Motor Skills
- Language Development
- Total/Augmentative Communication
- Social-Conversational Skills
- Classroom Support
- Parent Consultation
- Caregiver Training
Educational Services
Standardized Academic Assessments – Using standardized testing tools (which provide families with age, grade and percentile rankings of their child’s academic performance in each subject area), an individual student profile is developed. The Academic Assessment process sets baselines for the student’s level of academic performance, learning style and personality dynamics. Knowing individual student strengths and area(s) of weakness better ensures their success. Students are re-assessed regularly to ensure progress and achievement. Results of all testing are reported to parents verbally and in writing.
Subject-specific Tutoring – We specialize in reading, writing, spelling, and math tutoring.
Grade 9 Math Test Preparation and Grade 10 Literacy Test Preparation – Along with the subject-specific skills that require development, students also learn the study skills and test preparation skills needed for test success. Students are presented with the practice testing materials that they will encounter in these required High School tests. Working and re-working test examples will allow the student to not only progress and learn, but also become familiar with the actual test format and structure, thereby alleviating tension and fear of the unknown.
Learning Skills and Strategies – eXL offers explicit instruction in study skills, test preparation, organization, time management, memory strategies, etc. A must for the student who shows a greater potential for learning than their report cards would indicate. Students with low personal motivation would also benefit from explicit instruction in this area.
Educational Consulting – Often, families need help through the sometimes overwhelming process of getting their children effective support in the public or separate school system. A knowledgeable and experienced member of the eXL team will attend an IPRC meeting, IEP/IPP review meeting or team meeting to re-evaluate or modify a student’s current curriculum. We also develop IEP/IPPs and provide programming support for students who are challenged in areas of academic development.
NOTE – If required, eXL Educators have access to in-house Speech & Language Pathologists and Behaviour Therapists to consult on and take part in Academic Assessments and tutoring sessions to better ensure the comprehensive care of each student.
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Psycho-Educational & Academic Assessments
Assessment, intervention, and treatment services are provided to children and adolescents who exhibit symptoms of inattention, concentration difficulty, memory impairment, hyperactivity, poor academic performance, and learning disabilities.
We utilize a comprehensive evaluation process to help identify and rule out the presence of attention deficits and hyperactivity, learning disabilities, cognitive impairment, mental retardation, pervasive developmental disorders, attachment disruptions, emotional factors, and behavioural problems including:
Intellectual and cognitive testing
Academic and achievement testing
Personality, emotional, behavioural testing
Once specific problems are identified and/or an accurate diagnosis is attained, a variety of proven effective interventions are available to help clients reach their potential. Evaluation reports also offer specific recommendations for schools and parents to assist with their child’s special learning needs, which may include:
- Tutoring
- Individualized Educational Plans (IEP)
- Specific, hands-on suggestions (i.e., instructional activities in school & home)
- Specialized treatment
When Should Parents be Concerned about their Child’s School Performance?
When children struggle with learning, it poses a challenge for both parents and teachers. Often parents and school personnel get confused when children present with learning differences or difficulties. A child may struggle in one particular subject or demonstrate general challenges around learning or behaviour.
Just because a child may struggle in one area of learning doesn’t mean that the child has a learning disability. Equally, just because a child has difficulty in attending or concentrating or is somewhat hyper, doesn’t mean the child has ADHD. Sometimes poor school performance and social anxieties can present themselves as a learning disorder when they may be caused by other psychological factors. Knowing the difference can make a difference in the types of services offered to help a child.
A psychoeducational assessment can provide families and teachers with a very clear and objective understanding of a child’s skills, abilities, and needs. Testing can provide a diagnosis or rule out suspicions.
The first step is to identify the types of problems that need to be targeted for intervention strategies to be successful. This is accomplished through a thorough psychoeducational assessment.
When is it Appropriate to Seek an Assessment for your Child?
- School performance is not-aligned with other acquired skills or talents
- Language skills are behind motor and perceptual skills
- Test anxiety interferes with classroom performance
- Shyness or social anxiety interferes with learning
- Inability to pay attention in school
- Inability to listen or follow instructions
- Inability to complete homework
- Extreme deficits in one subject area (e.g., Math, Reading)
- Inability to achieve average grades
- Child can watch TV or play video games for hours but can’t concentrate in the classroom
- Daydreams excessively or lives in a fantasy world
- Skipping or refusal to go to classes
A psychoeducational assessment report will provide functional recommendations for both home and school. Each report is tailored to the unique needs of each child where specific learning strengths and deficits are identified and thoroughly addressed. The report will present parents and teachers with an evidence-based plan of action that can help them provide the best support for a child.
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Speech & Language Services
Formal Speech-Language Assessments – Prior to beginning therapy, each client receives a comprehensive speech and language assessment administered by an experienced and CASLPO-regulated Speech and Language Pathologist. Based on the results of the testing, an individual therapy program is developed.
Early Intervention – One in ten children has speech and language difficulties. Without early identification and treatment, these children are at risk for lifelong learning, emotional and behavioural difficulties. Be pro-active and consider speech and language stimulation in the early years to reduce these risks! (Early language development groups are also available, see “Groups”)
Auditory Processing – Providing therapy in Auditory Reception, Phonological Awareness, Following Directions, Comprehension, etc.
Speech Development – Providing therapy in Articulation, Phonology and Oral-Motor Skills
Language Development – Providing therapy in Language Concepts, Sequencing, Cause & Effect, Summarizing, Syntax, Semantics, etc.
Total/Augmentative Communication – Establishing and practicing augmentative forms of communication
Social-Conversational Skills – Providing age- and ability-appropriate skills and problem solving strategies (Social skills groups are also available, see “Groups)
Classroom Support – Consultation to teachers and Educational Assistants around the support required for learning
Parent Consultation – Providing parents with support around the development of their child’s Speech, Language and Social Communication skills and abilities
Caregiver Training – Providing caregivers in related fields with strategies to assist children with Speech, Language and Social Communication. Please contact the Office to book training, 905.686.4800
NOTE - If required, eXL Speech & Language Pathologists have access to in-house Education Specialists and Behaviour Therapists for consultation when developing a comprehensive client program.
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