ASSESSMENT SERVICES

Psychological Assessments are designed to collect and review relevant information about the client’s present psychological, emotional, and mental health as well as a review of all medical documentation and extensive psychological testing. This is done in order to appropriately diagnose and address any psychological concerns, complains and disorders caused or further exacerbated by a motor vehicle accident (MVA) or any other personal injury. The assessment process involves specialized questions that identify post-accident and injury related physical and emotional stressors, sleep challenges, chronic pain, nightmares, insomnia, general or specific stresses, general or specific anxieties, nervousness, fear of driving, cars, being a pedestrian etc. If the evaluation determines the need for emotional or psychological intervention consequent to which specialized psychological treatments are prescribed, formulated and implemented by the psychologist in conjunction with the client in order to in returning to their pre-accident status.

Chronic pain is one of the most common concerns from many of the victims of accidents and workplace incidents, yet it is the least understood. Often, after their initial physiotherapy, massage and chiropractic treatments have ended, they still experience pain severity which could be disabling. In this context a Chronic Pain Assessment is necessitated and will evaluate your biopsychosocial state and the physical symptoms of your chronic pain condition(s), impairments, disabilities and functional limitations. In due process, the chronic pain assessment will address multiple domains of your pain including but not limited to the sensory and affective qualities of pain, location and bodily distribution of pain as well as the temporal or longer lasting dimensions of pain. The outcome of this assessment will determine diagnoses and its level of severity as well the best course of action regarding further rehabilitation recommendations that aim to bring you back to normal pre-accident levels of functioning.

After an accident, the purpose of a psychiatric assessment is to evaluate your post-trauma psychological status to determine the extent of psychiatric impairment and a timely assessment and diagnosis are imperative to avoid the conditions entrenching and morphing into a more chronic state. Hence, an effort is made to assess the client in timely fashion, mitigate any risks and to ensure appropriate and swift access to necessary medication and mental health care resources.

The purpose of a Physiatric Assessment is to evaluate a patient’s post-accident consequential impairment and/or disability. Physiatric Assessment uses a holistic approach to appropriately evaluate how a client’s neurological and musculoskeletal impairments potentially impact their functional abilities and their response to their rehabilitation. Subsequently, a course of action is decided upon that will optimize the functional abilities associated with such impairments and attempt to bring the client back to their pre-accident levels of functioning.

The purpose of an Orthopedic Assessment is to gather evidence about the client’s present physical health to assist in diagnosing any physical injuries or disorders that may have been caused or further exacerbated by the subject accident. The physical injuries or disorders in the diagnoses may include but not limited to those found in the skeletal system and associated muscles as well as joints and ligaments. The assessment process includes specific and specialized tests that are employed by physicians, clinicians and orthopedics to determine or rule out specific musculoskeletal injuries.

A neurological assessment evaluates potential impairment in the sensory neuron, motor responses and reflexes. The process includes a review of the client’s medical history and physical and sensory examination in order to assess for any abnormalities or anomalies in the nervous system that may cause problems with daily functioning.

A neuropsychological assessment evaluates cognitive function through the administration of neuropsychological tests and screenings. The assessment includes an evaluation of the person’s mental and cognitive status. This examination includes but is not limited to the evaluation of attention span, concentration, thinking capability, understanding, learning, memory, cognition, problem solving, decision making, perception and motor function etc.

It is not uncommon after a motor vehicle accident, that a person may have second thoughts and feels anxious about getting back on the road. A driving assessment evaluates in detail a client’s ability to get back on the road by assessing how the accident may have impacted the client’s physical ability, confidence, response time, nervousness, anxiety, panic attacks, cognition, and visuospatial skills relation to driving. This evaluation also includes a review of their driving and medical history.

The Functional Cognitive Assessment is used primarily to evaluate patients with dementia and mild cognitive impairment (MCI). The examination explores the cognitive-behavioral function of the client in order to assess the parameters and/or limitations of executive functions that may be affecting the client’s ability to carry out day to day life activities such as personal hygiene, mundane chores etc.

It is common for accident victims to report experiencing a blackout or concussions during their accident and as a result there may be some level of brain injury. Hence, a concussion assessment is employed to evaluate a client’s post concussion motor skills, cognitive function as well as overt and covert symptoms of concussion. These symptoms include constant headaches, migraines, dizziness, numbness, balance issues, changes to vision, light or noise sensitivity, low energy, memory and concentration issues, irritability, sadness and sleep problems etc.

After an accident, a client may experience challenges in carrying out day to day routine chores and activities of daily living such as hygiene, cleaning, cooking, laundry, garbage removal etc. Hence, an In-Home Assessment is employed to appropriately evaluate if the injured person is experiencing challenges with the daily housekeeping activities in order to determine and afford the need for special assistive devices to help them return to pre-accident levels of functioning.

After an accident, a client may experience challenges in carrying out their essential activities of daily living such as hygiene, cleaning, cooking, laundry, garbage removal etc. to the extent that they may be in need of someone to physically help them. Hence, an Attendant Care Assessment is necessitated to appropriately evaluate the client’s need of attendant care and how much care is required for client until they have returned to pre-accident levels of functioning or able to function independently. Generally, this assessment is conducted by qualified Occupational Therapists or Registered Nurses.

It is common that accidents and personal injuries may affect a client’s ability to work. Hence, the Functional Ability Evaluation gather necessary information about the client’s nature of work (past and present), medical history, and their physical status quo. This is evaluated in the context of the client’s potential to return to any suitable employment and aide in the determination of any necessary training or retraining that may be required. The assessment provides an understanding of the client’s ability or inability to work independently full time, part time, with modified duties or modified hours etc.

Further to the Functional Ability Assessment the Work Site Assessment assesses the client’s current or potential job demands. This is accomplished by identifying the physical activities and factors that may be required to perform each of their current or potential job tasks against the backdrop of their physical and mental status quo. Subsequently, recommendations are made accordingly.

Biopsychosocial Assessment is conducted to provide a holistic insight into a client’s life post accident. It is conducted on the principle that for any assessment to be thorough, it is essential to have a holistic view of the individual through the incorporation and understanding of the unique biological, psychological, and sociocultural factors that may effect the client’s diagnoses and/ or response to treatment.

Post accident, it is common for students and learners to suffer setbacks and challenges in their school, university, college or internship. A psychoeducational assessment will assess a client’s learning, cognitive, memory or behavioral challenges as it relates to training and education in order to identify if a learning disability is present. The goal is to then apply for exemptions, assignment and examination extensions amongst other special considerations. The assessment further will be able to provide clear recommendations on how the client may utilize personal strengths in order to excel and improve in their future vocational pursuit.

A Psycho-vocational Assessment is employed to assess all aspects of a client’s vocational ability in order to identify its potential impact on the client’s employment, work, career and goals. This is completed by assessing the client’s learning competencies, memory ability, knowledge retention, personality characteristics, social skills, emotional status, general intelligence, and motivation.

Nutrition and diet is an important part of a client’s holistic recovery post-accident. The purpose of a Nutritional Assessment is to collect and interpret information about the nutrition-related health issues that are affecting a client and presenting as a barrier to their recovery. Through this evaluation a nutritionist can identify the client’s nutritional and dietary needs in order to provide a client specific intervention that alongside other interventions will help the client reach pre-accident levels of functioning and wellbeing.

It is not uncommon that post accident client’s may suffer injury to their mouth, jaw and/or teeth. Hence, a Dental/ Oral Assessment is administered in which the post-accident oral/dental and general health status of the client is documented. This process includes collection of previous dental records, its analysis and a post-accident examination of their dental/ oral health. After a thorough and client specific assessment it completed, the dental expert will suggest a treatment plan for the client in order to remedy and rectify any damage rendered to the client’s oral/dental health in order to restore it back to its pre-accident status

At times and dependant on the nature of the client’s injuries and pain complaints, medical specialists and practitioners may request further and more specific diagnostic imaging to identify, diagnose and treat areas of concern. Private Diagnostic Imaging will be arranged at the client’s convenience.

A Catastrophic Impairment Assessment evaluates the severity of a person’s physical and mental injuries and challenges after an injury or a motor vehicle accident. A Catastrophic Impairment Assessment thoroughly evaluates all post-accident impairments and disabilities including but not limited to the following: neurological, neuropsychological, behavioral, mental, physical, vascular, visual, spinal cord, orthopedic and/or any other injuries or disabilities that may have occurred due to the motor vehicle accident or a sustained trauma. Our assessors are experienced professionals that are highly qualified and certified specialists in conducting Catastrophic Impairment Assessments.

A Hospital Discharge Assessment is provisioned prior to the release of a client from the hospital. It is used to evaluate the condition of the client at the time of discharge to ensure the safety of the client. This assessment evaluates many aspects of the client’s status quo including but not limited to matters pertaining to the client’s independence, confidence, motivation, mobility or immobility, strength and effect of medication, their ability or inability to administer it independently, their ability or inability to take care of themselves independently etc.

It is not uncommon that after an accident, a client may experience trouble in their vision or further exacerbation of their pre-existing conditions. A Neuro-Optometry assessment will assess any post accident damage that may have occurred eyes or exacerbated.