At Tournesol, we understand how challenging it can be for parents and educators to see children struggle to reach their full potential. We have worked with many different students facing learning difficulties, and with a thorough assessment, we strive to determine how each child learns best and how to support them effectively.

The assessment gives us a clear picture of a child's strengths and weaknesses, which is helpful for both teachers and parents. It explains why a child might be having challenges and provides personalized recommendations that can make learning more attainable.

If a child receives a diagnosis, it may allow the school to provide additional support and resources. This could include the development of an individualized program plan (such as an IPP) which outlines individualized goals for your child, as well as the strategies and accommodations that are recommended to support them

At Tournesol, we believe that every child can blossom and succeed with the right support. The assessment is an important step in understanding a child's needs to help them  thrive in school and beyond.

When considering assessments for your child attending a French Immersion or Francophone school, the choice between French or English evaluations depends on the situation.

When possible, cognitive assessments should be conducted in the child's dominant language. For instance, for francophone children, these cognitive evaluations would be carried out in French. This approach guarantees that the assessment accurately captures their cognitive capacities.

For assessing skills such as reading, writing and spelling, a comprehensive approach typically involves testing in French for francophone children, and in both English and French for children who attend a French Immersion program, depending on the child's age. There are several factors to consider such as the child's age and exposure to instruction in English. When academics are assessed in English, the assessor will determine if errors may be due to the language of instruction rather than the child's ability. This strategy provides a well-rounded perspective of your child's abilities in these academic domains.

At Tournesol, we are attuned to the needs of bilingual learners. Our services are meticulously designed to offer assessments in both English and French, ensuring  alignment with your child's bilingual educational experience. Although testing, interviews, and sharing of the results at the debrief meeting are all offered in French, at this time, psychoeducational assessment reports are only provided in English.

Talking to Kids about Testing
When your child asks about the testing sessions, stay calm and positive, keeping explanations simple and easy to understand. The psychologists will start the sessions by explaining that they'll be doing activities to learn more about how your child learns and their strengths and challenges. These may include answering questions, puzzles, working with blocks and academic tasks. After the assessment, we'll use the information to create a plan that makes learning at school easier for them.

No Need to Study
Studying for testing sessions is not necessary and discouraged. It can make kids anxious and affect their performance.

Previous Assessments and Important Documents
If your child has had previous assessments, please bring the reports with you. It is also helpful to bring or email a copy of their last report card and current Individualized Program Plan (IPP), if they have one.

Glasses and Medication
If your child wears prescription glasses, they should wear them during the sessions. If your child takes regular medications, follow your usual routine, and give the same dosage you normally would.

A Good Night's Sleep
Getting enough rest is essential. The night before testing, make sure your child gets a solid night's sleep so they are alert and can perform at their best. This ensures accurate and valid results.


Food and Breaks
Having a nutritious meal before the assessment is beneficial. You can also bring a drink (water bottles are encouraged), snack and lunch. We will take short breaks as needed during the testing.

Addressing Anxiety
Our team is trained to handle anxious feelings and help children feel at ease.